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.