The Minister of Education and Science of Georgia, Mikheil Chkhenkeli participated in the opening ceremony of the Tbilisi office of Evgeni Kharadze Georgian National Astrophysical Observatory, addressed the audience and congratulated them on the opening of a new working space. Within the framework of the event, the office of Academician Jumber Lominadze was opened, a photo exhibition reflecting the life and work of a scientist was organized and a memorandum of cooperation was signed between Evgeni Kharadze Georgian National Astrophysical Observatory and Kutaisi International University.

In his speech, Mikheil Chkhenkeli spoke about the future plans for the development of the observatory and noted that the Georgian government has allocated 10 million GEL for its infrastructure development.

Mikheil Chkhenkeli: “I heartily congratulate you on the opening of the Tbilisi office of the Astrophysical Observatory. Also, I am very happy that fundamental changes have started at the observatory. As you know, the Georgian government has already allocated funds for its infrastructural development. This is a new stage in the history of the observatory, which will give rise to new international scientific studies.

I am glad that with the opening of the office, the cabinet named after Academician Jumber Lominadze was opened, who became a great scientist and an excellent person. It is very good that it will be not only a museum, but also a working space, where young people will have the opportunity to get acquainted with the scientific heritage of Academician Jumber Lominadze, as well as scientific research seminars and meetings.

I am glad that a memorandum of cooperation was signed today between Evgeni Kharadze Georgian National Astrophysical Observatory and Kutaisi International University, which will allow the observatory staff to engage in the scientific and academic life of Kutaisi International University.

Mikheil Chkhenkeli informed the audience about Kutaisi International University and stressed that the establishment of the university is an event of great importance in the educational space of Georgia. The idea and concept of the university belongs to Mr. Bidzina Ivanishvili. It was because of his and his family's extremely important charity that a world-wide academic and scientific-research space emerged in the country.

According to the Minister, internationalization is conditioned, on the one hand, by the academic programs created in cooperation with the world leader university and, on the other hand, by the fact that well-known foreign professors are involved in the academic life of the university together with their Georgian counterparts. In addition, a great deal of attention is paid to the development of science, to which the Hadron Therapy Center will make a major contribution.

Working rooms for the observatory staff, a conference hall and a working room of the Scientific Council were arranged in the Tbilisi office building. Renovation works of the office, carried out by the LEPL Educational and Scientific Infrastructure Development Agency, cost up to 750 thousand GEL. The office was equipped with appropriate inventory, for which the Ministry of Education and Science allocated 40,000 GEL. Soon, a cabinet named after Evgeni Kharadze will be opened in the Tbilisi office of the observatory, where the memorial items of the scientist will be exhibited.

Within the framework of the event, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Evgeni Kharadze Georgian National Astrophysical Observatory and Kutaisi International University, with the aim of deepening cooperation between the parties in academic and research fields, including joint grant projects with the participation of students, young researchers, scholars, and young researchers. Under the Memorandum, the Observatory will support the implementation of field doctoral program (s) at the University, in addition, scientists employed at the Observatory will be able to guide university students to complete undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral theses.

The memorandum was signed by the director of the observatory Revaz Chanishvili and the rector of Kutaisi International University, Alexander Tevzadze. 

Owing to the initiative of Kutaisi International University Rector, Alexander Tevzadze, monetary awards will be established for young scientists - Jumber Lominadze Award in Astrophysics, Mikheil Vashakidze Award in Astronomy, and Evgeni Kharadze Award in Astrophysics and Astronomy.

It should be noted that Evgeni Kharadze Georgian National Astrophysical Observatory, as a legal entity of public law of the Ministry of Education and Science, is available to all higher education institutions, scientific organizations, science, and young researchers both locally and internationally.