As part of the United States-Georgia Strategic Partnership, Fulbright expands its English Language Teaching Assistant (ETA) program, which mainly aims to promote high-quality English language teaching at Georgian universities. The ability to teach English plays an important role in the internationalization of regional higher education institutions.

The Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia, Mikheil Chkhenkeli and the Ambassador of the United States of America to Georgia, Kelly Degnan during an online meeting, signed the Memorandum of Understanding on expanding the 2016 Fulbright Program.

Mikheil Chkhenkeli: "Owing to the decision of the Prime Minister, the Government of Georgia has authorized me to sign an important memorandum today, which will further expand the area of ​​cooperation between the United States and Georgia in the field of education. The Fulbright Scholarship is one of the most prestigious scholarships awarded by the U.S. Government. We are pleased that dozens of Georgian citizens have been taking advantage of this unique opportunity for several years now, giving them the opportunity to continue their studies in the US. Today, Fulbright's program is further expanded to include the English Language Teaching Assistant (ETA) project, thus facilitating the process of internationalization of regional higher education institutions. Within the memorandum framework, Fulbright Scholars from the United States will visit Georgia to help regional universities teach English.

The role of our strategic partner - the United States - in promoting the development of the Georgian educational system is invaluable, and this support is extremely important in the face of a pandemic. Thank you to the American people, to the American government and to Her Excellency Mrs. Kelly Degnan."

Ambassador Kelly Degnan: “We are extremely pleased to be able to bring in more young Americans to support English language teaching at Georgian universities. Fulbright's English language assistants will not only help Georgian students strengthen their English language skills but will also give them the opportunity to learn more about American culture and values.”

It should be noted that the ETA program has been implemented by the US Embassy in direct cooperation with Georgian universities. As part of the memorandum, the cooperation between the US Embassy and the International Education Center envisages joint efforts of the US and Georgian governments to equally fund six American English language assistants per year, which will bring a total of 30 assistants over the next five years.

Fulbright's cooperation between Georgia and the United States is part of a broader effort by Georgia to expand the activities of higher education institutions in the areas of internationalization, professional development, and curriculum development, with a heavy focus on regional universities.