The Minister of Education and Science of Georgia, Mikheil Chkhenkeli met with the President of the University of New York (NYU) Andrew Hamilton during his visit to the United States. Mikheil Chkhenkeli introduced the Ministry's policy regarding the internationalization of higher education to the President of the University. 

The Minister informed Andrew Hamilton about the establishment of the main mega-project of the Georgian education system - Kutaisi International University and noted that the author of the idea and concept of the university is Mr. Bidzina Ivanishvili. It was because of his and his family's extremely important contribution that a world-wide academic and scientific-research space emerged in the country. 

The Minister also spoke about the importance of developing new academic programs of international standard at Kutaisi International University and noted that work on this is already underway with foreign partners. According to the Minister, Kutaisi International University is ready to implement joint scientific projects with New York University and to introduce academic programs. The parties discussed the future prospects of cooperation in this direction.

Mikheil Chkhenkeli noted that a Hadron therapy centre will be established on the basis of the university, where a number of foreign scientists have already expressed their desire to conduct scientific research in the field of oncology and proton therapy together with Georgian specialists. This process begins with the creation of two cyclotrons, which are manufactured and assembled by the world's leading manufacturer of cancer proton therapy equipment (IBA). The minister stressed that one cyclotron will be used only for scientific research, while the other will be used to treat cancer. The ultra-modern method - proton therapy - is a form of radiation therapy where the process of treating cancer-damaged cells takes place. It provides an opportunity to fight damaged cells and leave them healthy.