Public Discussion – “Autonomy of Higher Education Institutions: Challenges and Responses“

On March 30, at 11:00 a.m. at The Radisson Blue Iveria Hotel (Tbilisi) the East-West Management Institute’s (EWMI) “Advancing CSO Capacities and Engaging Society for Sustainability (ACCESS)” project is organizing a public discussion on existing challenges related to the autonomy of the higher educational institutions in Georgia and ways of addressing those challenges. Purpose of the discussion is to facilitate open and  constructive dialogue among various stakeholders (the government,  academia, administrations of higher educational institutions, CSOs and students’ groups).

The discussion will cover issues, such as: impact of the Law on Higher Education and legislative framework in general on the degree of autonomy of higher educational institutions in Georgia;  problems existing in practice;  the problem of the Security Liaison Officers at higher education institutions; reforms planned at the Tbilisi State University following the March 16 agreement between students, the rector and the Ministry of Education and Science;  academic freedom in higher educational institutions, etc. Speakers will also review international best practices in terms of ensuring autonomy of higher education institutions and the role of students in this process.

Agenda:

Tamuna Karosanidze, EWMI ACCESS Chief of Party – Introductory remarks.

Rezo Khoperia, Chief of the Quality Control Unit at Free University– “Regulatory framework for the autonomy of higher educational institutions, challenges and international obligations”.

Giga Zedania, Rector of Ilia State University – “Autonomy of universities and academic freedom”.

Oto Kobakhidze, Member of Student’s movement “Auditorium 115” – “The student’s role in ensuring autonomy of higher educational institutions”.

Sopho Verdzeuli, Programs Director at the Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC) – “The effect of Security Liaison Officers on the autonomy of universities”.

George Sharvashidze, Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Georgia – “The government’s view and future plans for strengthening the autonomy of higher educational institutions”.