New legislative changes discussed at the conference

For years, the status of scientists and their rights and obligations were not defined, and they were unable to participate in university governance and the educational process. The participation of researchers in the very process of nurturing future scientists was limited. As a result of the implementation of the legislative changes, the aforementioned problems will be resolved. Specifically, this will include: defining the legal status of research units, regulating the structure and functioning mechanism of research institutions at the legislative level, restoring the status of scientists in universities, restoring the connection between teaching and research and strengthening the research component in the teaching process, and launching an evaluation system for research units. Furthermore, the legislative changes – by introducing the concept of joint academic degrees and refining the definition of a university – will contribute to the harmonization of Georgia's higher education system with the Single European Higher Education Area.

The Minister of Education and Science of Georgia and her deputies, as well as the head of the Ministry's Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation, together with other conference participants, discussed the implemented legislative changes and the steps required for their implementation. The structures and individuals responsible for specific activities, as well as the respective deadlines, were jointly determined. Conceptual and practical issues related to specific activities were discussed at the conference, and common approaches acceptable to all parties were formulated.