On June 26, 2023, at Caucasus University, Gvantsa Kheladze, a student from the CSE English-language PhD program, defended her dissertation titled "The Relationship between Government Expenditures and Economic Growth in Georgia" (scientific supervisor - Vano Benidze, professor).

The defense of the dissertation was held before the dissertation board, with the following composition:

Mariam Kharaishvili, assistant professor, School of Economics, Caucasus University;

Vano Benidze, Professor, School of Economics, Caucasus University;

Akaki Tsomaia, Professor, School of Economics, Caucasus University;

Irakli Danelia, Associate Professor, School of Economics, Caucasus University;

Sofiko Skhirtladze, guest lecturer, Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University International School of Economics (ISET);

At the defense, the student presented her work and answered questions, after which the reviewer, Caucasus University Professor Akaki Tsomaia, presented his own evaluations.

According to the evaluation of the board, Gvantsa Kheladze successfully defended her dissertation and was awarded the degree of Doctor of Economics.