Within the framework of the Erasmus + Institutional Development Project, a meeting of rectors was held at Kutaisi Akaki Tsereteli State University, which was attended by Caucasus University President Dr. Kakha Shengelia.

A memorandum was signed at the meeting to establish a permanent conference of rectors of regional universities.

The meeting was opened by Nunu Mitskevich, Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia.

It is important to note that the memorandum was signed by the rectors of 11 regional universities, including Dr. Shengelia. Based on the memorandum, the conference of rectors of regional universities will discuss issues and challenges specific to the regions. The signatories of the Memorandum are: Akaki Tsereteli State University, Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University, Batumi Maritime Academy, Gori State Teaching University, Iakob Gogebashvili Telavi State University, Caucasus University, Samtskhe-Javakheti State University, Kutaisi University, Kutaisi International University, Shota State Teaching University.

In the framework of the Erasmus + Institutional Development Project - "The Role of Universities in the Development of the Region", the rectors discussed the details of the cooperation defined in the memorandum and set future goals of even closer cooperation.

It should be noted that the Erasmus + Institutional Development Project aims to increase the role of Georgia's regional higher education institutions in the development of the regions, to modernize their mission and strategic development plan, as well as to strengthen cooperation between universities and local authorities, taking into account the specifics of each region.

The project involves Georgian regional universities and 4 European partners from Spain, Austria, the Czech Republic and Lithuania. The Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia and the National Center for Education Quality Enhancement are also involved in the project.