Georgia’s Ministry of Education has decided to merge Tbilisi State University and Georgian Technical University.

“The launch of an important reform of the higher education system is based on in-depth analysis, international practice, and the country’s long-term development interests. Recently, a comparative analysis of academic programs, research areas, and infrastructure of state universities was conducted. Based on this process and preliminary consultations with rectors, we decided to merge Tbilisi State University and Georgian Technical University.

This will ensure that Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University becomes the leading center of academic and scientific development in the region and significantly improves its international rankings,” said Georgia’s Minister of Education, Science and Youth, Givi Mikanadze, at a briefing at the ministry.

According to Mikanadze, in order to implement the merger, a temporary governing body — a “Council” — will be established by ministerial order, and acting rectors and vice-rectors will be appointed to oversee the reorganization process.

The minister noted that, as part of the higher education reform, an additional academic position of Leading Professor will be introduced. Individuals selected through a competitive process will provide strategic leadership of teaching and research activities, improve educational quality, and support the development of young academic staff.

“It is important to emphasize that no reductions in academic staff are planned under the current reform. We will preserve the teaching staff as much as possible and make every effort to ensure their experience and knowledge are used both in education and in research and scientific activities. A decision has been made to maintain existing places and not reduce student admission quotas.

Our goal is to carry out fundamental reforms in the education system transparently and with public participation. This is confirmed by discussions of reform-related issues with target groups through direct communication, which we will actively continue in the future,” Mikanadze stressed.

The minister also highlighted the importance of reforming the general education system and said that under a new legislative initiative, the age for entering first grade will be set at 6. This means a child may be enrolled in first grade only if they turn 6 by September 15 inclusive. The change will take effect in the 2026–2027 academic year.

Under the new concept, full general education will last 11 years, while the option of a 12th grade will remain for students who voluntarily choose additional academic preparation through prior registration.

Based on legislative changes, general education levels will be defined as follows: starting from the 2026–2027 academic year, primary level — Grades I–VI; basic level — Grades VII–IX; and secondary level — Grades X–XI from the 2027–2028 academic year. From that same year, school-organized tutoring will be provided in Grade 11, giving students the opportunity to fully prepare for national examinations.