GTU students spend the spring semester at the University of Palermo

Students from the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Biosystems Engineering at the Georgian Technical University, within the framework of the Erasmus+ exchange program, are spending the spring semester at one of Italy’s leading academic institutions — the University of Palermo. The exchange program covers the areas of agronomy, viticulture-enology, and agricultural technologies, aiming to improve the qualifications of students and reconcile European academic standards with practical skills in response to modern agricultural challenges.
According to Professor Nino Chkhartishvili, Head of the Department of Viticulture and Enology at the GTU Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Biosystems Engineering, students of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Biosystems Engineering participate in lectures, scientific projects, and practical activities on such important topics as grapevine viral diseases, social marketing in the wine industry, agricultural mechanisms, and modern plant protection strategies.
“For students at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Biosystems Engineering at Georgian Technical University, participating in the Erasmus+ exchange program offers a valuable opportunity to enhance their academic experience and engage with the global scientific community. Spending the spring semester at one of Italy’s leading universities allows students to deepen their theoretical knowledge while experiencing firsthand the practical environment where modern agricultural technologies and innovative approaches are developed. This program is especially significant for fields such as agronomy, viticulture, enology, and agricultural technologies. Students gain diverse experiences, familiarize themselves with European standards, and participate in practical training in state-of-the-art laboratories and field farms. This significantly enhances their professional competencies and competitiveness in both local and international job markets. For the university, these projects serve as a powerful means to strengthen international collaboration, share academic resources, and introduce innovations. The active involvement of students in the global arena elevates the university’s reputation, fosters partnerships with European higher education institutions, and promotes the advancement of research initiatives.

Four successful master’s students have left for Palermo. Among them: Nika Kaliashvili, whose interests include acarology, phytopathology, integrated plant protection, and soil science. Nika’s professional experience is extensive on an international scale – he studied at the University of Beja in Portugal in 2022, also within the framework of the Erasmus+ program. In 2024, he became the winner of the Agro-League in the field of plant protection. In Palermo, Nika collaborates with leading local professors and participates in research activities, which further broaden his scientific horizons. Irakli Atanelishvili, who works under the guidance of Professor Antonino Galati, studies how small and medium-sized entrepreneurs use social media to increase brand awareness and sales. His findings indicate that well-planned campaigns increase loyalty and sales, especially for niche, high-quality products. Giorgi Lazariashvili, who works with such renowned scientists as Stefano Panno and Andrea Caruso. 
Giorgi’s research focuses on modern methodologies for virus detection, equipping him to effectively address challenges in viticulture. His practical experience is impressive: in 2025, he founded his winery, Winery Kamara, which blends traditional and innovative approaches. He is also the 2024 Agro-Olympiad prizewinner in the field of viticulture-enology. 
Luka Koridze, who collaborates actively in the virology laboratory, works alongside professors Stefano Pano, Andrea Caruso, Slavica Matic, and Salvatore Davino. Luka has undergone practical training in advanced methods such as Real-Time qPCR, LAMP, and Primer Design, focusing on the most common viruses found in Sicilian vineyards. Luka is also an honors graduate of GTU and participated in a summer student employment program in Germany, which significantly contributed to his personal development and practical skills”, states Nino Chkhartishvili. 

Recently, 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 Management Systems, Nino Topuria and Alexi Labadze, and the Specialist of the Department of International Relations, Margarita Seropian – paid a working visit to the University of Palermo within the framework of the “ERASMUS+” program. Key events were organized during the meeting to enhance student and academic staff mobility, foster joint research initiatives, and align educational programs.