Mikheil Chkhenkeli discussed the details of the development of the Kartvelology studies program with the leaders of the Harvard University’s Davis Centre.
23.09.2022

The Minister of Education and Science of Georgia, Mikheil Chkhenkeli, within the framework of his visit to the United States of America, held a meeting with the heads of the Davis Centre at Harvard University, where the parties discussed the details of the development of the Kartvelology program.

The meeting was attended by Harvard University Vice Chancellor - Mark Elliott, Harvard University Davis Centre Executive Director - Alexandra Vacro and the head of the Kartvelology Studies Program - Steven Jones.

Owing to the initiative of the Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Gharibashvili, with the financial efforts of the Government of Georgia, for the first time in the history of the United States of America, the program of Kartvelology was launched at the Davis Centre at Harvard University. The program contributes to the education of a new generation of students, who will be supporters of research and spreaders of knowledge about Georgia not only in the scientific and intellectual circles of the United States of America, but also in the world.

During the meeting with the leaders at Harvard, Mikheil Chkhenkeli focused on the importance of the Kartvelology program and expressed special thanks to the leaders of the centre for their support and fruitful cooperation. The conversation also touched upon the implementation of the Georgian language course within the framework of the project, which will help those who wish to learn or improve their knowledge of the Georgian language. According to the minister, this is an extremely important decision in the direction of the development of the Georgian studies program.

On the other hand, the heads of the Davis Centre of Harvard University thanked Mikheil Chkhenkeli personally for the fruitful cooperation and stated that the efforts of the Georgian government towards the development of the Kartvelology Studies are immensely appreciated.

The Kartvelology Studies, which operates at Harvard University's Davis Centre, promotes the dissemination and exchange of academic knowledge about Georgia's history, culture, literature and politics, as well as the country's economic development and contribution to science. The program includes studies in the direction of Caucasian studies. The program is led by the American scientist and Kartvelologist - Professor Stephen Jones, who has been working in the field of Kartvelology for more than 40 years and is a hearty supporter of Georgia's independence and democratic development.

The Kartvelology program focuses on opportunities for academic and scientific research and educational exchange between Georgia and the United States of America, as well as educational and cultural events for the promotion of Georgian culture. Georgian and American scientists and researchers will receive financial support for the implementation of research and collaborative educational projects in higher educational institutions of the United States of America and Georgia, including university libraries and archives.

The inauguration ceremony of the Kartvelology program was held at the New York Club of Harvard on September 22, 2021, and was attended by the Prime Minister of Georgia - Irakli Gharibashvili, held within the framework of his working trip to the United States of America.