GTU to host Eastern Partnership Innovation Competition within the Erasmus+ program

Georgian Technical University will host a large-scale event — the “Eastern Partnership Innovation Competition” — within the framework of the Erasmus+ grant program KA2 institutional strengthening project “Learn – Innovate – Sell – Succeed” (LISS24).

The goal of the project is to support the practical implementation of innovative ideas among students, develop entrepreneurial skills, and share international experience.

The event will officially open on May 19 and will involve students, young innovators, and representatives of the academic sphere from both Georgia and Eastern Partnership countries — Finland, Sweden, Spain, and Austria. Within the competition, participants will have the opportunity to present their startup ideas, innovative products, and technological projects.

According to the dean of the Faculty of Transport Systems and Mechanical Engineering at GTU, the event within the framework of LISS24 was planned several months ago. As Professor Boris Githolendia states, the project includes intensive mentoring and a series of educational trainings at partner universities in Georgia and Armenia. At the final stage of the competition, 12 selected teams from 6 universities will present their projects — including student teams from Georgian Technical University. According to the dean, the event is large-scale and will be attended by members of the project consortium together with Georgian and Armenian colleagues, while the winners will be selected by a specially created jury. The competition will be held in various categories, including digital technologies, social impact, creativity, and others.

“It is of special importance for us that Georgian Technical University is hosting an international-scale innovation platform. The ‘Eastern Partnership Innovation Competition’ gives students the opportunity to turn their ideas into real projects, deepen their entrepreneurial and technological skills, and establish connections with international professional networks. Innovation in the field of transport systems and mechanical engineering is especially important, as the modern engineering sector is rapidly developing and requires new, practical, and sustainable solutions.

Within the university space, the development of the entrepreneurial ecosystem is increasingly based on the systematic support of student ideas. The goal of the project is precisely to ensure that young people receive structured knowledge and academic as well as practical assistance already at the stage of shaping their ideas. The LISS24 project significantly improves the innovation ecosystem and creates important opportunities both for our students and at the institutional level.”

– Associate Professor Boris Githolendia

The LISS24 project aims to enhance innovative competencies in engineering education. At Georgian Technical University, the institutional coordination of the project is carried out by the University Office of Technologies and Grant Projects, while the initial piloting of the results is taking place at the Faculty of Transport Systems and Mechanical Engineering. The project’s partner is the GTU Department of Student Services, Culture, and Sports.

Additional information about the project is available on the website.