GTU Rector, Deputy Minister of Education, Rectors of Member Universities of the Standing Conference, and Students Pay Tribute to the Heroes of the August War

“Today, we once again paid tribute to the memory of our heroes. Their sacrifice is an example of how precious our homeland, freedom, and peace are. The names of each of them will remain in the recent history of our country as symbols of honor, courage, and dedication. They defended, at the cost of their own lives, the values on which our statehood and the peaceful lives of future generations are built. Today, we not only pay tribute to the fallen heroes but also recognize the great responsibility that comes with their memory – to safeguard peace, build a strong and developed country, and pass on to future generations love of the homeland and respect for those who made the greatest sacrifice for our country.” – Academician David Gurgenidze, Rector of the Georgian Technical University, said at the Mukhatgverdi Brothers’ Cemetery

The Rector of the Georgian Technical University and Chairman of the Standing Conference of Rectors of Higher Educational Institutions of Georgia, Academician David Gurgenidze; the rectors of the member universities of the Standing Conference; Deputy Minister of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia Zviad Gabisonia; and students paid tribute to the memory of the heroes of the August War at the Mukhatgverdi Brothers’ Cemetery, marking the 18th anniversary of the Russian-Georgian War.

“The main choice and responsibility of our country is peaceful development, based on stability and security. Peace stands as the most fundamental value, and it is our shared responsibility to safeguard it. Only within a peaceful environment can we guarantee the sustainable advancement of education, science, the economy, and society as a whole. It is precisely with this understanding of our shared responsibility that special importance is attached to efforts to ensure peace, stability, and development in the country. We thank the Prime Minister and the Government of Georgia for their efforts to ensure peace and development in the country.

A consistent peace policy that serves the country’s interests and security gives us hope that, in the future, Georgia will no longer have to witness the tragic consequences of war and violence, and that our children will be able to live in a peaceful, free, and developed country. We must not forget Abkhazia and Samachablo; it should serve as a reminder. We are obliged to teach future generations not only about the tragic history of the 2008 war but also about the values for which our heroes made the supreme sacrifice. Their memory unites us and reminds us that preserving peace, strengthening the country, and creating a better future are the ways to honor their dedication.”

– Academician David Gurgenidze

For information: The Russian-Georgian War, which ended 18 years ago, resulted in 412 deaths, up to 2,000 people wounded, and approximately 150,000 internally displaced persons. The intense fighting that began on August 8th, 2008, lasted for five days.