Meeting of Ministers with Technical University Students
The Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Biosystems Engineering was opened at the Technical University in 2013. In 2014, the faculty admitted its first cohort of students. Currently, nearly 600 students have the opportunity to study across 8 different directions: agricultural technologies, food technology, forestry, agroengineering, animal husbandry, soil and forest resources engineering, agronomy, and agribusiness management. Part of the programs is implemented within the framework of an agreement signed with Iowa State University (USA). The agreement provides for the introduction of existing programs from Iowa State University and the implementation of a 2+2 curriculum, on the basis of which double degrees will be issued.
Otar Danelia provided students with information on ongoing and implemented projects by the Ministry of Agriculture for the development of the sector, as well as the Ministry's priorities and future plans. The Minister noted that within the framework of the new strategy, the Ministry will implement a number of programs in which student involvement will be crucial. According to Otar Danelia, educated youth and professional personnel are the foundation upon which the agricultural sector will be solidly built.
"The Ministry of Agriculture has planned a number of projects to make the agricultural sector even more attractive to young people. We will implement measures that will provide incentives for students. The Ministry is ready to actively cooperate with students and support them in their professional growth," stated Otar Danelia.
Minister of Education and Science Tamar Sanikidze noted at the meeting that the launching of this faculty at the Technical University is welcome. It is important that students will study in an ultra-modern environment. In July, a new academic building equipped with state-of-the-art laboratories will open.
"The Minister of Agriculture presented a very interesting initiative to the students. Their active involvement in agricultural directions, as well as the internship and employment prospects that the Ministry of Agriculture offers to students, will yield positive results. There will be a high demand for specialists in the field, and accordingly, with the new infrastructure, laboratories, updated curriculum, and programs, we will be ready to respond. The Ministry of Education has made quite large investments for the development of this direction, and we are confident that such cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture will be necessary and productive," stated Tamar Sanikidze.
Technical University Rector Archil Prangishvili spoke to the students about the future plans and new directions of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Biosystems Engineering. As the Rector noted, existing programs are being refined and new programs are being developed. Work has actively begun on the curricula of master's programs in coordination with leading universities in Western Europe (Spain, Italy, Slovakia, Poland), the development of joint English-language programs, and the introduction of double degrees. Currently, the reconstruction and renovation of the former Food Industry Institute building (17 Guramishvili Avenue) are underway. Upon completion, students will have an educational institution equipped with modern-type new technologies, which will also house an international standard laboratory.
The meeting continued in a Q&A format. The Ministers and the University Rector provided comprehensive answers to the questions asked by the students. The Minister of Agriculture noted at the meeting that high-performing students of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Biosystems Engineering will have the opportunity to undergo internships in various agencies within the system of the Ministry of Agriculture. The Ministers also spoke about the employment prospects for distinguished graduates.
