An online workshop for the Board of Rectors of Higher Education Institutions authorized in Georgia was held under the chairmanship of the Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia, Mikheil Chkhenkeli. The start of the new academic year was discussed at the meeting, followed by discussing the recommendations developed and approved by the Ministry of Labor, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia.

At the beginning of the meeting, Mikheil Chkhenkeli thanked the rectors of the universities for the successful implementation of distance learning in the previous spring semester.

The Minister emphasized that the educational process in higher education institutions will start as usuals in auditoriums, as the existing epidemiological situation at this stage allows for this to occur. According to Mikheil Chkhenkeli, it is important for the education system to be able to maintain the continuity through joint efforts. Therefore, ensuring a safe environment at universities is of paramount importance. All guidelines must be followed, including a 1-meter social distancing, mandatory use of facemasks and so forth.

Additionally, the Minister explained that in case the infrastructure of any higher education institution does not allow a 1-meter social distance in their auditoriums, it is possible to conduct classes remotely as part of the official curriculum. The distance learning format will also apply to students who are in isolation / quarantine.

In order to ensure the quality of the distance learning process, Mikheil Chkhenkeli called on the rectors, to use the guidelines for internal quality assurance of e-learning developed by the Association of European Quality Assurance Agencies (ENQA).