On February 13, 2015, the concluding event of the project Public Debates on Higher Education project was held at the Radisson Blu Iveria Hotel. The event summarized the results of the discussions conducted at universities across Georgia during the past eight months. The project was implemented by the Center for International Education (CIE) with financial support of the Open Society – Georgia Foundation and aimed at increasing of civic engagement in the higher education reform-related processes; facilitating dialogue between academic community, civil society, and policy-makers, and strengthening horizontal linkages between universities. Total of seven public discussions were held both at capital-based and regional universities (Kutaisi, Telavi, and Batumi universities). Alumni of the Georgia’s Educational Professionals program (jointly funded by the Open Society Foundations and the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia), higher education experts, academic and administrative personnel of universities, students, representatives of civil society, and other stakeholders participated in the discussions.
The public interest towards the discussions was demonstrated by high attendance rates, extensive media coverage, and quality of the debates. The discussions revolved around such problematic issues for universities, as authorization/accreditation procedures, quality assurance, research development, internationalization of education, autonomy of universities, employment of graduates, financing and financial management. Debates touched upon the possible solutions to existing problems and prospects of higher education and science development in Georgia. Recommendations from universities, academic community, and civil society were reflected in the following policy briefs prepared by experts:
Access to higher education – Rusudan Chanturia
Ensuring higher education quality – Tea Siprashvili
Financing of higher education – Simon Janashia
Science development in Georgia – Sophio Gorgodze
