Plans to merge Tbilisi State University and Georgian Technical University have been scrapped by Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, who backed down on the proposed move after days of backlash from lecturers and students.
While the government frames the move as the result of “healthy discussion,” opposition leaders argue it reflects mounting public resistance and a rare retreat by the ruling party.
At a 9 February briefing, Prime Minister Kobakhidze confirmed that the previously announced merger between TSU and GTU has been cancelled. The decision follows meetings with the rector and professors of Georgian Technical University.
Instead of merging, GTU will be turned into a “purely technical” university under what the Prime Minister described as a “one city, one faculty” principle. Only subject areas that were taught at GTU before the 1990s will remain. Admissions to non-technical programmes will cease from the next academic year, and existing non-technical programs will operate in a transitional mode over the next two years.
Education Minister Givi Mikanadze said the government will attempt to retain existing academic staff, though no specific mechanism was presented.
Plans for the merger were first made public on 29 January by the Ministry of Education. According to later reports, the rectors of both universities were informed only the night before the announcement.
The proposal immediately triggered strong criticism from professors, academic councils and students at both institutions. TSU’s Senate and Academic Council publicly opposed the merger, citing concerns over university autonomy and a lack of consultation. At GTU, faculty members and students also objected and protests followed at both universities.
The government initially defended the plan as part of structural reforms aimed at streamlining higher education and optimising resources. But critics argued the move was rushed, insufficiently justified and potentially harmful to academic independence.
The reversal has quickly taken on political significance.
Tamar Chergoleishvili, leader of the opposition party Federalists, said it was proof that the government is being "pushed back" and no longer has the luxury of ignoring public resistance. She added that when the authorities appear to back down, it shows people that resistance can work.
Other opposition figures questioned the broader reform agenda. Giorgi Sharashidze - a member of the Gakharia for Georgia party - claimed education reform under the ruling Georgian Dream party serves to increase political control and suggested the merger plans may have been linked to future “optimisation” of university assets.
Following opposition claims that the merger could pave the way for privatisation of valuable university buildings, the Ministry of Education confirmed that some state university properties may indeed be privatised if they are deemed to have "no functional need." According to the ministry, this step is part of infrastructure optimisation and remains on the government’s agenda.
Although the merger itself has been withdrawn, the discussion about university property, autonomy and long-term education reform continues.
The government’s rollback of the TSU–GTU merger will close a tense chapter in Georgia’s higher education debate but it also leaves broader political questions unanswered. Whether the decision was a sensible policy shift or the result of growing pressure on the ruling party is likely to remain a topic of public debate.
For now, the merger is off - but the debate over reform, autonomy and state control is far from settled.
President Donald Trump said Iran is keen to reach a deal with the United States, claiming Washington had paused engagement to allow funeral ceremonies...
Russia's Defence Ministry has said its forces are clearing the town of Lyman in Donetsk of Ukrainian forces, Moscow's state news agency Tass reported...
Uzbekistan will open an embassy in Georgia, the Central Asian country’s presidency has said. The announcement follows talks between Uzbekistan’s P...
Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of the eastern German city of Erfurt on Saturday as the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) opened ...
French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to use next week's NATO summit in Ankara to advance his push for greater European responsibility in secur...
Uzbekistan will open an embassy in Georgia, the Central Asian country’s presidency has said. The announcement follows talks between Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze in Tbilisi.
Georgia’s only oil refinery will stop using Russian crude oil by September to preserve access to Western markets, its operator has said.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has again urged Washington to relaunch its suspended strategic partnership with Georgia, describing the country as a "loyal, reliable and responsible partner". However, neither side has publicly outlined the terms for restoring ties.
Georgia's Minister of Internal Affairs, Sulkhan Tamazashvili, has wrapped up an official visit to Armenia with a clear message: the two countries' law enforcement agencies are set to work even closer together.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has raised its forecast for the rapid emergence of a strong El Niño, warning the climate pattern is likely to drive higher global temperatures and intensify extreme weather in the months ahead.
India is investigating a data breach at Tata Electronics that exposed sensitive documents linked to Apple's unreleased iPhone 18 Pro, marking the government's first public comments on the incident.
Iran and the U.S. have concluded indirect talks in Doha without a major breakthrough, with discussions focused on maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz and frozen Iranian funds. Both sides are expected to meet again after the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
International politicians and religious leaders have paid respects to Iran's late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei throughout the day, ahead of his six day funeral ceremony which begins on Saturday. His casket is currently on display at the Iman Khomeini Grand Mosalla in Tehran.
Germany has requested urgent talks with China's ambassador following reports that Chinese authorities trained Russian soldiers, adding fresh strain to relations between Beijing and Europe amid the war in Ukraine.
Uzbekistan will open an embassy in Georgia, the Central Asian country’s presidency has said. The announcement follows talks between Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze in Tbilisi.
Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of the eastern German city of Erfurt on Saturday as the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) opened its annual party conference, where delegates voted to keep Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla as the party's co-leaders.
Armenia's parliament has passed a new law raising the requirements for citizens living abroad to vote in national elections, following concerns over alleged efforts to influence last month's parliamentary vote through Armenian citizens residing in Russia.
International politicians and religious leaders have paid respects to Iran's late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei throughout the day, ahead of his six day funeral ceremony which begins on Saturday. His casket is currently on display at the Iman Khomeini Grand Mosalla in Tehran.
Georgia’s only oil refinery will stop using Russian crude oil by September to preserve access to Western markets, its operator has said.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment