Minister of Education and Science of Georgia, Dimitri Shashkini and Minister of Environment Protection and Natural Resources, Goga Khachidze, together with the Rector of Ilia State University, Gigi Tevzadze officially opened the Institute of Alpine Ecology in Stepantsminda.

Stepantsminda Institute of Alpine Ecology of Ilia State University is the research center with the modern research and working environment for the scientists of different fields.

Institute of Alpine Ecology will serve as the education center for Stepantsminda and the whole region. Carrying out conferences, seminars, summer schools and other events will be available for the youth of this region.

Ilia State University invested half million GEL for the center development in 2009-2010.

Governor of Mtskheta-Mtianeti, Tsezar Chocheli and other officials also attended the opening ceremony of the Institute of Alpine Ecology.