Academia Europaea launches Tbilisi Knowledge Hub#
On 24th April 2019, Academia Europaea officially launched a new Knowledge Hub at Tbilisi State University in Georgia. The Tbilisi Knowledge Hub is the fifth regional hub of the Academy with other hubs placed in Barcelona, Bergen, Cardiff and Wroclaw.
The aim of the Tbilisi Knowledge Hube is to improve the access and use of European scientific achievements for the national and regional policy-making, to promote education, science and scientific research through collaboration with leading international agencies.
The collaboration agreement between Academia Europaea and Tbilisi State University was signed by the President of Academia Europaea, Sierd Cloetingh MAE, and by the Rector of Tbilisi State University, George Sharvashidze MAE.
Rector of Tbilisi State University, George Sharvashidze and President of Academia Europaea, Sierd Cloetingh
The Tbilisi Knowledge Hub was launched in the presence of the Prime Minister of Georgia, the honorouble Mamuka Bakhtadze who stated:
“Education is the shortest way to freedom and overcoming every challenge facing Georgia. Within this idea of national importance, Georgia assumes responsibility to invest 6% of GDP- quarter of the budget, in fact- in education over the course of the next decade. It is our message to our friends, our attitude and resolve.”
Prime Minister of Georgia, the honorouble Mamuka Bakhtadze
The Prime Minister also stressed Georgia’s aspirations to become the leader of the region and noted that the launch of the Tbilisi Knowledge Hub is a major step towards the return of Georgia to the European family.
AE Tbilisi Knowledge Hub: Priorities and Plans
, by David Prangishvili, academic director#
Rector of Tbilisi State University, George Sharvashidze and President of Academia Europaea, Sierd Cloetingh
Prime Minister, Mr. Mamuka Bakhtadze addressing the AE Board members, delegation, representatives of Georgian authorities, Academia, the diplomatic corps and the whole audience during welcome speech on the AE Tbilisi Knowledge Hub opening ceremony at TSU
President of Academia Europaea Sierd Cloetingh
Prof. George Sharvashidze, the Rector of TSU, MAE and the member of the AE TKH Scientific Board, addressing the AE Board members, delegation, representatives of Georgian authorities, Academia, the diplomatic corps and the whole audience during welcome speech on the AE Tbilisi Knowledge Hub opening ceremony at TSU
Ms. Nata Asatiani, the representative of PR Department of TSU and Master of the Hub opening ceremony
Ms. Irina Abuladze, Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports during her welcome speech
Prof. David Prangishvili, The Academic Director of AE Tbilisi Knowledge Hub, MAE, addressing the AE Board members, delegation, representatives of Georgian authorities, Academia, the diplomatic corps and the whole audience during welcome speech on the AE Tbilisi Knowledge Hub opening ceremony at TSU
Prof. Roin Metreveli, Vice-President of Georgian National Academy of Science during welcome speech
The first event organized by the Tbilisi Hub, an AE Thematic Workshop, took place on 25th April. Following a comprehensive account of the achievements of Tbilisi State University by the Rector, there were sessions on Research Policy & Networking as well as presentations on the activities of the Barcelona and Cardiff Hubs and the plans for the new Tbilisi Hub.
The Academic Directors of the Cardiff Hub (Ole Petersen MAE FRS), the Barcelona Hub (Ricardo Guerrero MAE) and the Tbilisi Hub (David Prangishvili MAE) presented achievements and plans for their hubs at this workshop. Ole Petersen also gave an account of the role of SAPEA in the European Commission’s Science Advice Mechanism. Sierd Cloetingh gave a talk on the work of the COST Association, as the current President of this organisation, and Eva Kondorosi MAE spoke about the work of the ERC. The Chair of the Young Academy of Europe, Mangala Srinivas, presented the Young Academy to the audience at Tbilisi State University.
