Day: January 29, 2026

Georgian authorities plan to merge Georgian Technical University with Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, combining two of the capital’s major and historic public higher education institutions as part of broader and controversial reforms to the education system.

The move “will be a precondition for Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University to become a leading center of academic and scientific development in the region and significantly improve international rankings,” Georgian Dream Education Minister Givi Mikanadze announced on January 29 while presenting legislative changes as part of ongoing reforms of general and higher education.

Mikanadze said that for this purpose, a “temporary governing body” or a “council” will be created, and acting rectors and vice-rectors will be appointed who will “run the reorganization process.” According to the GD minister, the decision was made based on “a comparative analysis of academic programs, research directions, and infrastructure of state universities,” as well as prior consultations with the rectors.

Tbilisi State University (TSU), founded in 1918, is one of Georgia’s leading public higher education institutions, enrolling around 22,000 students across seven faculties. Georgian Technical University (GTU), established in 1922, comprises 11 faculties and serves approximately 20,000 students. Both universities offer a broad range of bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD programs, alongside active research portfolios. However, they have faced persistent concerns over weakened institutional autonomy and increasing government influence on university leadership.

The move to merge two universities comes as part of a controversial higher education reform that foresees radical measures to amend Georgia’s public university system. The reform includes geographic “deconcentration,” one city – one faculty principle that would allow a single faculty to be taught in a single state university per system, reduced program lengths, as well as new staffing and funding models.

Georgian Dream authorities have presented the reform as a step toward improving educational quality and expanding access. Critics, however, warn that it could enable repression and political purges, erode university autonomy, and dismantle a century-long academic tradition.

During the briefing, Mikanadze brushed off fears that the process would lead to personnel purges and lower enrollment quotas in public universities. “We will maximally retain academic personnel,” he said during the briefing. “We will make efforts to use their experience and knowledge in both the teaching component and research and scientific work.”

The GD minister also said there are no plans to reduce enrollment quotas.

Also Read:

• 28/01/2026 – Opinion | Georgia’s University Reform Is Not a Neutral Initiative. It’s a Political Act
• 18/12/2025 – International Group of Academics Call on Kobakhidze to ‘Rethink’ Education Reform
• 17/10/2025 – Georgian Technical University Rector Seeks Seizure of University of Georgia Property

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