San Diego State University Georgia

On June 11, the SDSU Provost and Senior Vice President Bill Tong and Dean of the Global Campus Ian Gibson, accompanied by a representative of the U.S. Embassy in Georgia and SDSU Georgia Advisory Board member Harvey Sernovitz, visited Batumi S***a Rustaveli State University.

The delegation met with Rector Tite Aroshidze, Vice Rectors Tamar Siradze and Giorgi Katamadze, Dean of the Faculty of Technology Gizo Partskhaladze and other representatives of the University leadership to learn more about the university's strategic priorities and ongoing development initiatives.

During the meeting, university leadership provided an overview of the higher education landscape in the Autonomous Republic of Adjara, regional labor market needs, and Higher Education ongoing reform. The delegation also had the opportunity to learn more about the Autonomous Republic of Adjara through an informative presentation featuring striking images of the region's landmarks, cultural heritage, natural beauty, and economic development. The presentation provided guests with valuable insight into the history, culture, and distinctive character of the region.

The visit included a tour of the university's laboratories and educational infrastructure, showcasing investments in teaching, research, and innovation. A particularly memorable part of the program was the presentation of innovative student projects developed through the university's Fab Lab. The delegation was impressed by the creativity and practical impact of the project presented by the winners of the Fab Lab's internal innovation competition.

The discussions also highlighted the university's commitment to quality enhancement and the advancement of international standards in engineering education. At the time of the visit, the Civil Engineering program was preparing for an external assessment visit by representatives of the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement (EQE), scheduled for the following day. Upon successful completion of the national accreditation process, the team led by Dean Gizo Partskhaladze plans to continue its efforts toward achieving ABET accreditation. SDSU has been providing advisory support to the university as it advances its efforts toward achieving ABET accreditation. Securing ABET accreditation would represent a significant milestone for Batumi S***a Rustaveli State University and further strengthen the international recognition of its engineering programs.

SDSU Georgia extends its sincere appreciation to the leadership of Batumi S***a Rustaveli State University for the warm welcome and informative discussions and looks forward to continued collaboration and exchange.

Last week SDSU's senior leadership delegation visited Akaki Tsereteli State University in Kutaisi, where they met with university leadership, toured laboratories and research facilities, and visited the American Studies Center.

The introductory meeting provided an excellent opportunity to learn more about ATSU's achievements, exchange ideas, and explore areas of potential future collaboration.

Thank you to the Kutaisi University team for the warm welcome and engaging discussions.

The SDSU Georgia Advisory Board Meeting took place in Batumi on June 11, 2026, bringing together the Minister of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia, Givi Mikanadze; Deputy Ministers Zviad Gabisonia and Baia Kvitsiani; U.S. Embassy representative Harvey Sernovitz; SDSU Provost and Senior Vice President William Tong; SDSU Global Campus Dean Ian Gibson; and representatives of the Board's member institutions.

The Minister of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia, Givi Mikanadze spoke about the importance of the longstanding partnership between Georgia and San Diego State University and its contribution to strengthening human capital in STEM fields, expanding access to high-quality higher education, supporting the development of modern educational infrastructure, and advancing the internationalization of Georgian higher education.

During the meeting, Board members received updates on SDSU Georgia's academic activities, student progress and internationalization efforts. Participants also discussed ongoing reforms in Georgia's higher education system, including the role of transnational education and opportunities for future collaboration.

On June 9, 2026, San Diego State University and JSC Lomisi (EFES Georgia) marked a significant milestone in their collaboration through the ceremonial signing of a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at expanding opportunities for SDSU Georgia students.

The agreement establishes a framework for future cooperation and supports the development of internship and experiential learning opportunities, further strengthening the connection between higher education and industry.

The ceremony featured opening remarks by Alan S. Purcell, Chargé d'Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Georgia, SDSU Provost and Senior Vice President William Tong, and Burç Kurtoğlu, General Director of JSC Lomisi (EFES Georgia), who emphasized the importance of collaboration among academia, industry, and international partners in preparing future professionals for an increasingly dynamic global workforce.

The signing ceremony was followed by SDSU Georgia's annual Alumni and Industry Reception hosted by SDSU Provost and Senior Vice President William Tong and the Dean of the Global Campus Ian Gibson.

SDSU Georgia extends its sincere appreciation to all participants who joined us in celebrating this important partnership and contributing to meaningful dialogue on student success, workforce development, and the future of university-industry collaboration.

Last week, SDSU Georgia had the privilege of hosting the international conference "Internationalization in Action: Strategy, Innovation, and the Future University."

The conference brought together higher education leaders, policymakers, academics, industry representatives, and international partners to discuss some of the most important questions facing universities today: how to remain globally connected, embrace innovation responsibly, strengthen quality, and prepare students for an evolving workforce.

Events such as these remind us that the future of higher education will be shaped not by institutions working in isolation, but through partnership, dialogue, and a shared commitment to excellence.

We extend our sincere thanks to all speakers, panelists, guests, partners, and colleagues who contributed to the success of the event.

We are pleased to share that the SDSU-Georgia Joint Job Fair 2026 was successfully held on March 31 in Tbilisi.

The event brought together SDSU-Georgia and partner university students with leading employers, creating valuable opportunities for networking, CV sharing, and even initial interviews.

This year, 25 companies joined the fair, and the atmosphere throughout the day was highly professional and engaging.

A special thank you to the American Chamber of Commerce in Georgia for their support, as well as to all participating companies and partners who contributed to making this event a success.

We are especially proud to support our students not only through academic programs, but also by helping them take meaningful steps toward their professional futures.

Get ready! SDSU-G and its partner universities are building bridges between students and employers at the upcoming Joint Job Fair.