The Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia, Mikheil Chkhenkeli opened the meeting with the winning project of the European Commission "Development of Quality and Relevance of the Third Mission in Georgian Universities". The online meeting was dedicated to strengthening the role and quality of universities in Georgia.

It should be noted that the project was submitted by Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University to the European Commission Erasmus + Institutional Cooperation (CBHE) competition for the national project, received the highest evaluation and further funding.

Mikheil Chkhenkeli addressed the audience, congratulated Ivane Javakhishvili State University on its success and spoke about the importance of improving quality in Georgian universities, which plays an important role in the development of human capital and economic progress in the country.

The Minister noted that the pace of development and the rapidly changing world have significantly changed societies and their needs. It is important that the core mission of the higher education system is maintained, strengthened, and further expanded in this context. It is the new reality that has necessitated the development of higher education institutions as opposed to its traditional role. The growing importance of innovation in knowledge creation and economic life has created a new role for universities - the "Third Mission". According to Mikheil Chkhenkeli, the implementation of the project "Development of Quality and Relevance of the Third Mission in Georgian Universities" is crucial for the development of the country, as it aims to strengthen the role of the third mission of Georgian universities in the development of society and improve its quality. .

The Minister emphasized that the Ministry will be actively involved in the project, will help achieve the goals set by the project, will support all universities and the implementation of the democratic mission.

It should be noted that the representatives of the Ministry will be actively involved in the implementation of the project "Development of Quality and Compliance of the Third Mission in Georgian Universities". A policy document will be developed, which will define the importance of the third mission of the University and will offer vision and strategic directions to the higher education institutions of Georgia.

Natia Turnava, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Giorgi Sharvashidze, Rector of TSU, Tamar Makharashvili, Head of the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement, Lika Glonti, Head of the Erasmus + Office in Georgia, as well as eight Georgian and three European universities, also attended the workshop. Representatives of the International Accreditation Council EFMD (Belgium) also participated in the event.