TSU Hosts Event Dedicated to Georgian Language Learning Program
6 July, 2015
On July 6 the Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University (TSU) hosted an event dedicated to five years since the launch of the Georgian Language Learning Program as well as a presentation of the documentary on the achievements and challenges of the program.
Deputy Rector of TSU, Merab Eliashvili; State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality, Paata Zakareishvili; Parliament’s Vice Speaker, Gubaz Sanikidze; representatives of the Public Defender’s Office, Ministry of Education and Science; rectors, students and professors of Ilia State University, Tbilisi State Medical University, Technical University, the State Universities of Samtskhe-Javakheti, Gori, Telavi, representatives of non-governmental organizations, as well as representatives of the Embassies of Armenia and Azerbaijan to Georgia attended the event.
Dean of the Faculty of Humanities at TSU, Darejan Tvaltvadze said that “the Faculty of Humanities is in charge of this program at TSU. Every year we have about 300 students enrolled in the Georgian Language Learning Program. We think that it is a very successful program; generally, it is an important policy in terms of integration of ethnic minorities living in Georgia into the society. There are some students, who learnt Georgian very well during this one year and continue their studies at various faculties.”
“This is one of the most successful programs functioning in Georgia. On behalf of the Ministry, I want to thank everyone, who participated in this program – universities, academic staff – those people, who made their contribution to this program, students, who expressed their trust towards this program. This program means more highly skilled persons, more professionals, more integration, more happy people, who will realize themselves,” Head of Higher Education and Science Development Department at the Ministry of Education and Science, Irine Darchia said.
“During five years this program has enabled many non-Georgians to continue their studies at TSU. This is a huge opportunity for us to learn Georgian comprehensively. Although we were taught Georgian in schools, this program helps us speak proper Georgian and learn literature. I plan to continue my studies at the TSU Faculty of Journalism. I think, I will be able to do it, because during this one year I acquired good knowledge. I am glad to have participated in this program and I will continue my studies at TSU in the future,” Lika Markaryan, a graduate of 1+4 program, said.
“I think that this program is very successful, necessary and what is most important, it is future-oriented. Today we have seen graduates, who speak fluent Georgian. Very many ethnic Georgians will find it difficult to speak Georgian so perfectly. I think that this program has a great future and it is very important for the country,” Parliament’s Vice Speaker, Gubaz Sanikidze said.
State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality, Paata Zakareishvili said: “This program, first and foremost, promotes the integration of ethnic minorities into the Georgian state. Georgia is doing its utmost to protect their identity. They do not speak the official language fluently. Therefore, we should keep balance – on the one hand, we should protect their identity, and on the other, we should offer them such integrated programs that will promote their dignified, equal engagement in state building. 1+4 is just such program. It demonstrates how willing young people are to become dignified citizens of their country; they learn Georgian and plan to stay in their native country as they see their own perspectives here.”
The system of quotation was introduced in Georgia’s higher educational institutions in 2010 in frames of the so called “preferential policy” for ethnic minorities living in Georgia. After earning a passing score on the General Skills Tests, non-Georgian language speaking school graduates learn the Georgian language during a year and after earning a relevant language certificate, they can select a desirable BA program to continue their studies.
Since 2010, over 2500 citizens of Georgia have been enrolled in Georgian higher educational institutions in frames of the Georgian Language Learning Program. About 1500 students have been enrolled in the Georgian Language Learning Program at the Tbilisi State University.
Besides learning the Georgian language, non-Georgian language students are integrating themselves into the Georgian language student community in frames of 1+4 program; they are mastering this or that profession and becoming full-fledged citizens of Georgia.
Deputy Rector of TSU, Merab Eliashvili; State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality, Paata Zakareishvili; Parliament’s Vice Speaker, Gubaz Sanikidze; representatives of the Public Defender’s Office, Ministry of Education and Science; rectors, students and professors of Ilia State University, Tbilisi State Medical University, Technical University, the State Universities of Samtskhe-Javakheti, Gori, Telavi, representatives of non-governmental organizations, as well as representatives of the Embassies of Armenia and Azerbaijan to Georgia attended the event.
Dean of the Faculty of Humanities at TSU, Darejan Tvaltvadze said that “the Faculty of Humanities is in charge of this program at TSU. Every year we have about 300 students enrolled in the Georgian Language Learning Program. We think that it is a very successful program; generally, it is an important policy in terms of integration of ethnic minorities living in Georgia into the society. There are some students, who learnt Georgian very well during this one year and continue their studies at various faculties.”
“This is one of the most successful programs functioning in Georgia. On behalf of the Ministry, I want to thank everyone, who participated in this program – universities, academic staff – those people, who made their contribution to this program, students, who expressed their trust towards this program. This program means more highly skilled persons, more professionals, more integration, more happy people, who will realize themselves,” Head of Higher Education and Science Development Department at the Ministry of Education and Science, Irine Darchia said.
“During five years this program has enabled many non-Georgians to continue their studies at TSU. This is a huge opportunity for us to learn Georgian comprehensively. Although we were taught Georgian in schools, this program helps us speak proper Georgian and learn literature. I plan to continue my studies at the TSU Faculty of Journalism. I think, I will be able to do it, because during this one year I acquired good knowledge. I am glad to have participated in this program and I will continue my studies at TSU in the future,” Lika Markaryan, a graduate of 1+4 program, said.
“I think that this program is very successful, necessary and what is most important, it is future-oriented. Today we have seen graduates, who speak fluent Georgian. Very many ethnic Georgians will find it difficult to speak Georgian so perfectly. I think that this program has a great future and it is very important for the country,” Parliament’s Vice Speaker, Gubaz Sanikidze said.
State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality, Paata Zakareishvili said: “This program, first and foremost, promotes the integration of ethnic minorities into the Georgian state. Georgia is doing its utmost to protect their identity. They do not speak the official language fluently. Therefore, we should keep balance – on the one hand, we should protect their identity, and on the other, we should offer them such integrated programs that will promote their dignified, equal engagement in state building. 1+4 is just such program. It demonstrates how willing young people are to become dignified citizens of their country; they learn Georgian and plan to stay in their native country as they see their own perspectives here.”
The system of quotation was introduced in Georgia’s higher educational institutions in 2010 in frames of the so called “preferential policy” for ethnic minorities living in Georgia. After earning a passing score on the General Skills Tests, non-Georgian language speaking school graduates learn the Georgian language during a year and after earning a relevant language certificate, they can select a desirable BA program to continue their studies.
Since 2010, over 2500 citizens of Georgia have been enrolled in Georgian higher educational institutions in frames of the Georgian Language Learning Program. About 1500 students have been enrolled in the Georgian Language Learning Program at the Tbilisi State University.
Besides learning the Georgian language, non-Georgian language students are integrating themselves into the Georgian language student community in frames of 1+4 program; they are mastering this or that profession and becoming full-fledged citizens of Georgia.