Widely regarded as an icon of democracy and social justice Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
It is therefore crystal clear that education has been integral to the growth of both the country level and at individual level. Most times especially in this fast paced day and age the more you learn and knowledgeable you become the better chances you have to exponentially earn.
The world in this day and age has continued to get smaller and smaller as technology brings us together. As the thirst of knowledge continues Universities across the world are opening their doors to international students for a much diverse academic community that allows stronger networks of professional integrity.
One such university that has continued to light this path is a brand new university across the pond in Europe, from the beautiful and historical country of Georgia.
Kutaisi International University (KIU), a brand new €1 billion western-style campus university in Georgia, is such an extraordinary campus that seeks to bring in students from across the globe, more so from Ethiopia. It is targeting Ethiopia to bolster its international student numbers as well as aid in increase the level of experience of tertiary education. As a result a major recruitment drive is getting underway to bring Ethiopian students to Georgia from September 2021 onwards.
KIU opened its doors in 2020. It is the first ultra-modern residential style university in the Caucasus region. It has been purposefully designed as an ‘international’ institution along US and European lines. Every course and programme is being developed and run in partnership with a leading international university. Its founding partner is the Technical University of Munich (TUM), rated the Best University in Europe in 2020 by QS World University Rankings.
In contrast to many universities which are struggling financially, KIU’s mixture of private, public and philanthropic funding will enable it to provide sustained investment in courses and facilities for students as it grows. The University is funded by a €1 billion donation from the Cartu Foundation, the charitable arm of former Prime Minister of Georgia, Bidzina Ivanishvili.
KIU’s funding base also means it can offer a world-class education at a significantly cheaper price than its competitors. Undergraduate tuition fees for KIU’s international students are set at $5,500 per annum (which includes all teaching materials); and expected annual living costs are a further $5,000 pa.
Prof. Alexander Tevzadze serves as the Rector of the Kutaisi International University starting from 2019.
The diligent professor having graduated from the Department of Physics at Tbilisi State University (Georgia) he received his Ph.D. in Mathematics from the Center for Plasma Astrophysics at Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (Belgium) in 2006. He was then a postdoctoral fellow at Osservatorio Astronomico di Torino (Italy) and Abastumani Astrophysical Observatory (Georgia). He was later appointed as Associate Professor at the Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, Tbilisi State University (Georgia) in 2009, and was Visiting Associate Professor and Adjunct Professor at the Department of Physics, Carnegie Mellon University (USA) starting from 2012. At the Tbilisi State University he served as the member of the University Senate, chair of international student exchange program committee, chair of the editorial board in physics, scientific secretary of the dissertation council and vice dean of the Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences. Alexander Tevzadze further served as the Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia from 2017. In this position his responsibilities included the higher education and science.
Prof. Tevzadze’s research interests focus on theoretical and numerical astrophysics, including the dynamics of accretion and protoplanetary disks, shear flows, aeroacoustics, cosmic magnetic fields and turbulence. He has received Eugenie Kharadze prize in astrophysics of the Georgian National Academy of Sciences and is elected fellow of the Institute of Mathematics and its applications (UK).
With an illustrious background, Prof. Alexander Tevzadze is poised to lead this new university that is set to offer the very best when it comes to education and exposure. Capital had an interesting discussion with the Professor as he candidly introduced the university to us and the Ethiopian audience at large. Excerpts;
Capital: Can you brief us about Kutaisi International University?
Prof. Alexander Tevzadze: Kutaisi International University is a newly established public university in the country of Georgia that offers university campus, vibrant environment, international faculty and modern educational programs. KIU is funded by international charity foundation Cartu by over 1 billion Euros. KIU founding partner is the Technical University of Munich (TUM), rated the Best University in Europe in 2020 by QS World University Rankings.
The goal of the university is to gradually become an international hub of education, science and technology in the region. The aim of the university is to prepare highly qualified professionals, workforce and human capital that will promote economic growth and development of the world.
Capital: Why is Kutaisi International University targeting Ethiopia? What are the potentials?
Prof. Alexander Tevzadze: Ancient history and culture heritage of the Georgia, toponymical names of old Ethiopian origin, orthodox religion, hospitality of its people culturally fit to be academic destination for students from the oldest country in the world.
KIU offers all programs in English, creating academic platform for partnership with countries with significant command of English as foreign language.
Georgia is becoming permanent observer in the African Union and proceeding with active diplomatic engagement.
Operating Embassy of Georgia in Addis Ababa can foster future partnership projects between Georgia and Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.
Capital: What are the programs offered by the University?
Prof. Alexander Tevzadze: There are quite vast arrays of programs that are offered at the university. The following are the opportunities offered in brief summary.
- Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Computer Science
With individual program concentrations:
- Software Engineering
- Distributed Networks, Computer Networks
- Databases and Information Systems
- Artificial Intelligence
- Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Management
With individual program concentrations:
- Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- Marketing, Strategy and Leadership
- Operations and Supply Chain Management
- Finance and Accounting
- Economics and Policy
- Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Mathematics
With a focus on the applied mathematics
Capital: As the University is new how do you plan to impress students?
Prof. Alexander Tevzadze: KIU has many advantages that impress students, among those:
- International professors, leading experts in their respective fields
- Modern state-of-the art green, safe and comfortable campus with multicultural environment best fit for academic process and student life alike
- Comfortable and fully furnished housing for students and academic personnel
- Modern and state-of-the-art laboratories, student facilities, cafeterias, libraries, co-working areas, an interactive learning management system, all of which will create forward thinking technology oriented educational ecosystem
- Close proximity to cultural sites in Georgia
- Tuition fees (KIU annual tuition fees vary from US$3220 to US$5500).
- Engagement and partnership with industry (internship and employment opportunities). KIU Industry Council supporting links between the university and multinational global companies
- International, multicultural campus experience.
Capital: What are your specialties/programs?
Prof. Alexander Tevzadze: Some of our top notch specialties’ include:
- Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Computer Science
With individual program concentrations:
- Software Engineering
- Distributed Networks, Computer Networks
- Databases and Information Systems
- Artificial Intelligence
- Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Management
With individual program concentrations:
- Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- Marketing, Strategy and Leadership
- Operations and Supply Chain Management
- Finance and Accounting
- Economics and Policy
- Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Mathematics
With a focus on the applied mathematics
Our programs provide:
- Top quality of academic process
- All programs taught in English
- Support in English language training provided by our strategic partner the British Council
- Academic calendar – two semesters of 15 weeks each
- Additional 5 ECTS credits per year offered for free to support student progress towards degree
- Effective hybrid teaching method best fit to tackle challenges of current covid19 pandemic
- Competitiveness of the university graduates on the global labor market
- Proton Therapy Clinic and other Research Centers offering students multidisciplinary projects
Capital: How many students are you expecting from Ethiopia?
Prof. Alexander Tevzadze: We welcome as many students as would express an interest to study in Georgia at the KIU campus. With foreign students’ recruitment, we are planning to start with the proof of the concept approach. KIU can admit up to 800 students this year both nationally and internationally.
