TSU in brief

2010-2011
I am delighted to welcome you to the Tbilisi State University, one of Georgia's premier public universities. TSU is
the oldest university in Georgia and in the South Caucasus region and thus we bear a unique historical obligation
to our nation and the world to serve the greater good. Since its foundation, TSU has made essential
contributions to the economic and cultural vitality of Georgia and the Eurasia.

The 21st century demands new thinking, and TSU is on its way to transformative change to become one of the
top public research universities in the South Caucasus. Our mission at TSU is to raise a future generation of
professionals, to integrate TSU into the common world and European Higher Education Area, and create best
conditions for study and research. TSU doors are open for international collaboration, exchange of students and
faculty, and joint research all of which will advance TSU and will benefit our partners.

Prof. Dr. Giorgi Khubua

Rector
Tbilisi State University is the center of higher education in Georgia with its location, history, world-renowned
faculty, and some of the brightest students from across the South Caucasus and the world. TSU is one of the
most comprehensive public universities in Georgia and ranks among the most prestigious with a strong tradition
of education and public service, and the state’s primary research university, with faculty of national and
international reputation.

TSU is a driving force behind Georgian higher education and the largest university in Georgia with 6 enlarged
academic units (departments) and over 19. 000 students.

As a forward-looking university, TSU realizes that it faces new demands and strives to meet the challenges of the
century by offering a top class education, developing research opportunities, enhancing its resources and
preparing its students for further professional activities.

The University’s main directions, principles, values and reforms are carried out dynamically in a systematic,
coordinated manner and have placed TSU on a development path leading towards a common world and
European Higher Education Area.

Internationalization is a high priority for Tbilisi State University (TSU) we put special emphasis on students’
international mobility and joint academic/research projects.
Currently TSU offers undergraduate , graduate and post-graduate academic programs.

A special emphasis is made on academic programs where the language of instruction is English: European
Studies (www.ies.tsu.ge); Transformation in the South Caucasus (www.ucss.ge); International Economics
(www.iset.ge); Public Administration (a joint program with the German University of Administrative Sciences,
Speyer).

TSU is implementing joint Master’s degree programs together with the European universities. As a result of such
cooperation, students attending classes at TSU receive dual degrees acknowledged both by TSU and its partner
European university.
 “

Today it is of utmost importance to strengthen ties between university, research and business. It is the priority of TSU to develop
active connections with business community in Georgia and abroad.“ - Giorgi Khubua, TSU Rector

Basic and applied research is successfully conducted at TSU. Ilia Vekua Institute of Applied Mathematics at TSU
performs the computer-based mathematical modeling and digital realization of the problems related to the natural
events and social economic issues basing on the theoretical conclusions.

The main directions of the scientific-research performance of The High Energy Institute of Physics are the
experimental research of interaction between the elementary particles and the nucleons and nucleus in field of
high energy, making the new systems of processing the information on accelerators, theoretical investigations in
high energy particle physics and quantum field theory and nuclear physics.

TSU is planning to revive and continue its long tradition of groundbreaking accomplishments with remarkable
new discoveries and achievements that inspire and enrich the lives of people around the world.
By the expansion of the TSU, the goal is to become an international University of the highest standard, with a
stimulating environment and ability to attract and sustain the highest expertise in teaching and research.

The development of TSU shall be based on experience and knowledge from the leading European universities,
and will focus on intellectual stimulation, the student in center, ethical behavior, respect and results.

The TSU will have a problem-based-learning approach, which requires our building(s) to be flexible. Flexibility is
required because our Faculties have unique characteristics and also because of the problem based approach to
teaching and learning. An additional factor to take into consideration is our potential to establish other Faculties
in the future. Change is one of the few known facts of our current and future reality.

By making the University more demand-driven for both the domestic and international markets, and better
understanding how intellectual property can be utilized as an income source (e.g.: the commercialization of
research activities and publications) the University hopes to create new products and services that will contribute
to its sustainability and independence.
While asked what is an advantage of being a TSU student I always reply: “More opportunities to go abroad, to realize yourself,
experience life of international student in Europe and represent your country”.

Giorgi Meskhi, Faculty of Law

TSU Exchange Student at the Vilnius University, 2008

Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University (TSU) Department of Foreign Relations (DFR) opens the doors of its
partner universities overseas to all promising students of TSU in order to enhance their knowledge and
experience via various study-abroad programs.

In the last two academic years (2007/08; 2008/09),approximately 200 TSU students spent academic semesters
or continued their education at TSU partner foreign universities under the exchange programs coordinated by the
Department of Foreign Relations.
Exchange Programs within the framework of the bilateral agreements with partner universities provide
opportunities for TSU undergraduate students to enroll for a semester at one of the following TSU partner
universities:

Undergraduate Programs:

Language of instruction: English

University of Tartu (Estonia)

Vilnius University (Lithuania)

University of Latvia (Latvia)

Language of instruction: German

University of Saarland (Germany)

University of Jena (Germany)

University of Giessen (Germany)

University of Munich (Germany)

University of Mercersburg (Germany)

Language of instruction: Italian

University of Ca’ Foscari (Italy)

Graduate Program:

Language of instruction: English

University of Warsaw (Poland)

The program enables undergraduate, graduate, PhD students and post-doc fellows from South Caucasus to
benefit linguistically, culturally and educationally from the experience of pursuing academic studies in Europe.

Partner Higher Education Institutions hosting TSU students within the framework of Erasmus Mundus
External Cooperation Window:

Language of instruction: English

Language of instruction: French

Language of instruction: Italian

Christian Hilfiger

International student at TSU

International students are welcome at TSU. Development of English language graduate programs,
implementation of ECTS and improvement of material-technical resources enables TSU to offer student-oriented
academic environment and range of educational opportunities to international students. Additionally, based on
international students’ academic interests, TSU provides individual courses in different disciplines delivered in
English.
TSU Scientific Library -- The University library, established in 1981, is a universal unit and represents an
important information and education centre. The depository counts 3 700 000 publications: books, periodic
editions, rarities, classic works, etc.The library is a cultural,s cientific and information centre, hosting various
events like library weeks,presentations, meetings, readers’ conferences, etc.

The information centre and an internet class are functioning at the library, serving the students and university
employees with informational needs. Both the students and professors can use the electronic resources, they
have chance to work with databases for e-magazines (EBSCO, blackwell, etc). There is also a GSS legislative
database, the biggest portal of standard acts in Georgia, and professors and students may use it free of charge.

TSU British Library -TSU British Library houses over 6000 contemporary British books and multimedia items.
TSU British Library offers in-depth coverage of professional subjects, including English Language Teaching,
management, law, political science, economics and media studies.

The museums of History, Georgian Emigration, Mineralogy, Geology and Paleontology, Geography, Zoology and
Botany are functioning at TSU.

Public Events and Guest Lectures -- TSU hosts numerous public events featuring world leaders and experts who
share their ideas with students and faculty.
 3, Chavchavadze Avenue
0179 Tbilsii, Georgia
Tel.:/fax:(995 32) 225679

www.tsu.ge