Doctoral thesis of a Georgian researcher was announced best thesis of 2016. Gail P. Kelly award will be granted to Nutsa Kobakhidze by Comparative and International Education Society (CIES) Commission consisting of famous scientists of five countries. The award has been granted annually since 1994 for doctoral thesis written in English dealing with social justice and equality. Selection criteria included excellent academic performance, originality, scientific innovation, research methodology accuracy and theoretical contribution to development of the field. Nutsa defended thesis in 2016 at the Faculty of Education of Hong Kong University where she subsequently continued working.  

Nutsa Kobakhidze will be officially presented with Gail P. Kelly award on 7 March 2017 at Comparative and International Education Society annual conference to be held in State of Georgia, Atlanta, USA.