The Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia, Mikheil Chkhenkeli participated in the presentation of internationally accredited programs at Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University. For the first time in the region, two TSU programs have been accredited by the American Engineering and Technology Accreditation Council (ABET). The event was attended by the Acting US Ambassador to Georgia, Catherine Schweizer and various representatives of academia.

Mikheil Chkhenkeli addressed the public and spoke about the importance of internationally accredited programs in terms of internationalization of the Georgian higher education system.

Mikheil Chkhenkeli: “I am pleased to have the opportunity to congratulate Tbilisi State University on the accreditation of two educational programs of the American Engineering and Technology Accreditation Board (ABET), which is a great achievement for the Georgian academic space. It is our aspiration that all programs meet international standards and that their graduates are competitive worldwide. The Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia will always support such important academic initiatives.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Government of the United States of America for its many years of support and fruitful cooperation in strengthening Georgia's education system. "

ABET is accredited by two programs: Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Computer Science. Accordingly, graduates of these programs will receive an internationally recognized diploma that is competitive in any country in the world.

It is noteworthy that TSU is the first university in the history of ABET to receive American accreditation for the first time. TSU Undergraduate Program in Chemistry is the first in Georgia to receive the American Chemical Society (ACS) certification. Georgia is the 24^th country to open an ACS office.

After the presentation, TSU Rector - Giorgi Sharvashidze awarded TSU academic and administrative staff with university medals and certificates of appreciation for their contribution to the international recognition of the programs.