The First Graduates of the Bachelor’s Program in Aviation Engineering Successfully Defended Their Diploma Theses

“An important stage in the history of the Georgian Technical University has begun. After a long pause, the Bachelor’s Program in Aviation Engineering has its first graduates. They are the first representatives of a new generation, laying the foundation for an important stage in the modern development of the Georgian aviation engineering school. The successful defense of their diploma theses once again confirms that the university is steadfastly continuing to develop engineering fields of strategic importance for the country”, said Academician David Gurgenidze, Rector of the Georgian Technical University, following the defense of the diploma theses by the first graduates of the Bachelor’s Program in Aviation Engineering.

After a long interruption, the Faculty of Transport Systems and Mechanical Engineering held the public defense of the diploma theses of the first graduates of the restored Bachelor’s Program in Aviation Engineering.

According to the Dean of the Faculty of Transport Systems and Mechanical Engineering, the success of the first graduates is clear evidence that the restored program has fulfilled its primary mission – to begin preparing aviation engineers for the country. As Associate Professor Boris Githolendia noted, this marks an important step in the restoration and development of aviation engineering education in Georgia, with the goal of training highly qualified aviation engineers in accordance with modern industry requirements.

“The success of the first graduates of the restored Bachelor’s Program in Aviation Engineering after a long pause is an important milestone for both our faculty and Georgian engineering education. It clearly confirms that the decision to restore the program was both timely and effective. I congratulate our graduates on this significant achievement. I am confident that they will continue their professional careers with distinction and that, through their knowledge and expertise, they will contribute to the further development of both Georgia’s aviation industry and the national engineering school”.

– Associate Professor Boris Githolendia

According to the Rector of Georgian Technical University, Pantiko Tordia, Honorary Doctor of GTU and one of the distinguished representatives of the Georgian aviation industry, made a significant contribution to the restoration of the program. Academician David Gurgenidze noted that the program is headed by Professor Ramin Zukakishvili, a distinguished representative of the Georgian aviation school. According to him, the revival of aviation engineering education in Georgia is driven by the aviation sector’s development and the growing demand for highly qualified engineering professionals.

“Within the framework of the ongoing education reform in the country, the Aviation Engineering program has been recognized as a priority by the Government of Georgia, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, and the Minister of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia, Givi Mikanadze. As a result, the number of students admitted to the program has increased, and beginning with the next academic year, studies will be fully funded by the state, creating an additional incentive for the field development and the preparation of a new generation of engineering specialists.

The targeted support of the Government and the Ministry of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia is invaluable in this important process. The recognition of the Aviation Engineering program as a priority field, the increase in student enrollment, and, most importantly, the introduction of full state funding from the next academic year clearly demonstrate that our academic vision is fully aligned with the country’s strategic interests. I wish our graduates every success”.

– Academician David Gurgenidze

For information: In 1968, at the initiative of Tbilisi Aviation Plant No. 31, the Department of Aircraft Engineering was established at the Georgian Polytechnic Institute, where highly qualified aviation engineers were trained for decades to serve Georgia’s aviation industry. Its graduates have worked both in Georgia and at leading aviation companies around the world. Unfortunately, due to a number of circumstances, aviation engineering education at the Georgian Technical University was discontinued in 2005.