GTU Deepens Cooperation with the University of Palermo

A delegation of the Georgian Technical University – consisting of the Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Business Technologies, Professor Rusudan Kutateladze, the Head of the Department of Viticulture and Enology of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Biosystems Engineering, Professor Nino Chkhartishvili, the Professors of the Faculty of Informatics and Control Systems, Nino Topuria and Alexi Labadze, and the Specialist of the Department of International Relations, Margarita Seropian – was on a working visit to the University of Palermo within the framework of the “ERASMUS+” program.

Professor Antonino Galati, Head of the Department of Agricultural Economics, Food Economics, and Agricultural Evaluation at the same university, hosted the delegation.

The purpose of the visit was to deepen academic cooperation between the Georgian Technical University and the University of Palermo and to implement future activities within the framework of the “ERASMUS+” projects.

According to Professor Nino Chkhartishvili, Head of the Department of Viticulture and Enology of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Biosystems Engineering of GTU, within the framework of the meeting, the delegation of the Georgian Technical University provided information to the Italian colleagues about ongoing educational and research initiatives in the fields of informatics, business technologies, and viticulture and enology. The parties discussed the development of joint double-degree programs in the fields of agriculture, including wine economics and marketing, as well as digital technologies.

“Margarita Seropian, a representative of the Department of International Relations at the Georgian Technical University, on behalf of the university, expressed her eagerness to cooperate and shared plans for collaboration with the Italian side. This partnership aims to enhance the university’s international recognition, facilitate student mobility, and organize joint international events. During the visit, our delegation met with Giuseppe Lo Papa, a Professor in the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry Sciences at the University of Palermo, who is also a soil scientist and actively participates in a network of international universities. He collaborates with various academic and research institutions. and I would like to emphasize that our visit was very fruitful,” Nino Chkhartishvili remarked.

The Deputy Dean of the GTU Faculty of Business Technologies reported that the meeting addressed several key areas, including research initiatives in soil science, modern teaching approaches in agricultural sciences, and ways to enhance student and researcher involvement. According to Professor Rusudan Kutateladze, the discussion emphasized the importance of international collaborative platforms. These platforms will facilitate the implementation of joint projects, the sharing of expertise, and the strengthening of institutional partnerships.

“It’s noteworthy, that in the current spring semester, master’s and doctoral students from the faculties of Agricultural Sciences, Biosystems Engineering, and Business Technology study at the University of Palermo. The recent visit of the Technical University of Georgia’s delegation to the University of Palermo represents a significant step in enhancing international relations. This collaboration aims to strengthen the partnership between Georgian and Italian higher education”, stated Rusudan Kutateladze.

During the meeting, important events were planned to promote student and academic staff mobility, develop joint research initiatives, and harmonize educational programs.