Working meeting on establishing the link between the budget and climate change
On October 23 of this year, a working meeting was held at the Courtyard Marriott Hotel in Georgia at the initiative of the World Bank Permanent Mission to Georgia, at which the method of establishing the link between budget programs and subprograms in the agencies of the Ministry of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia and climate change was discussed. The meeting was attended by: representatives of the Iv. Beritashvili Experimental Biomedicine Center, G. Eliava Institute of Bacteriophage, Microbiology and Virology, Georgian E. Kharadze National Astrophysical Observatory, Infrastructure Development, Infrastructure Development of General Education, Vocational Education and Higher Education and Scientific Institutions. As well as representatives of the Ministry and its legal entities under public law and infrastructure development of territorial bodies. The meeting was attended by the Head of the Academic Department of the Academy, Dr. Marine Barvenashvili, and the Chief Accountant of the Academy, Nino Soziashvili, from the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences.
The meeting was opened by Ms. Darejan Kapanadze, Senior Environmental Specialist at the World Bank Office in Georgia. After a brief welcome, Ms. Darejan introduced the meeting agenda to the audience, which consisted of three issues: 1. Priorities in the field of climate change; 2. Budgeting climate change, methodological review, taxonomy; 3. Review of the Ministry's budget and key data and directions, programs and sub-programs.
D. Kapanadze spoke about the first issue. He told the audience about the scale of climate change in various areas of production, what impact it has on the economies of countries globally, on human labor, etc. Kakha Mdivani, who is a consultant on climate change at the World Bank office in Georgia, made a report on the second issue. Mr. Kakha began the review of the issue by familiarizing himself with the government resolutions No. 431 of August 22, 2022, No. 90 of February 28, 2023, and No. 62 of 2024. Based on the aforementioned resolution ... "Ministry of Georgia, in coordination with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, shall ensure the identification of the links between the programs/subprograms they implement and climate change"... The speaker then introduced the audience in detail to how the programs/subprograms they implement are linked to the climate policy classifiers in the process of preparing the action plans of the agencies. Attention was also focused on how climate change is "coping"; whether "mitigation" or "adaptation" is being carried out based on the work, etc.
Regarding the 3rd item of the agenda, a discussion of specific examples was organized, which was held in a question-and-answer format. Both the speakers and the audience were actively involved in it. Each question asked by the audience was discussed, which ended with a joint decision. At the end of the meeting, the audience thanked the organizers of the meeting for providing important information regarding the World Bank's determination of the connection between the budget and climate change.
Information meeting on the Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System (AKIS)
On October 16, 2024, an information meeting on the Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System (AKIS) was held at the Holiday Inn Hotel in Tbilisi. The aim of the meeting was to support the development of agricultural knowledge and innovation in agriculture, as well as coordination between institutions involved in the national and micro AKIS network.
The meeting was held with the funding of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), within the framework of the ongoing project - "Modernization of Vocational Education and Training (VET) Systems in Agriculture in Georgia".
The meeting was attended by: Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia - Solomon Pavliashvili, Chief Academician - Secretary of the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Academician Aleksandre Didebulidze, Academician - Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection and Forestry Sciences of the Academy, Academician Lasha Dolidze, Director of the Environmental Information and Education Center Tamar Aladashvili, Expert of the University of Bern's School of Applied Sciences/Agricultural Sciences, Forest and Food Sciences - Robert Lehmann, Professor of the University of Bern's School of Applied Sciences/Agricultural Sciences, Forest and Food Sciences, Dean - Roland Stall, Invited Consultant - Mamuka Matiashvili, as well as representatives of non-governmental and educational institutions.
The meeting was opened with a welcoming speech by the Deputy Minister of Environment and Agriculture of Georgia, Mr. Solomon Pavliashvili, who noted that the mandate of AKIS is based on and closely linked to the European Union Regulation (EU) N 2021/2115*, the European Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) document. “AKIS is an agricultural management model based on knowledge, innovation and education. It is important for us to learn how to implement scientific innovations in agriculture. There are many research papers that are not used in practice. By implementing this project in Georgia, the EU directive will be implemented and adapted to the EU management model,” said Solomon Pavliashvili.
The meeting participants were welcomed by: the moderator of the session - Tamar Aladashvili, Director of the LEPL Environmental Information and Education Center, Beka Tagauri, Coordinator of Economic Programs of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), and Academician Aleksandre Didebulidze, Chief Academician - Secretary of the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences.
Then, a discussion was held in a question-and-answer format, during which the meeting participants focused on the fact that the modern system of agricultural knowledge and information in Georgia is somewhat fragmented and its strengthening requires the formation of a new systemic vision.
The meeting was summarized by the moderator of the session - Tamar Aladashvili, Director of the LEPL Environmental Information and Education Center, who thanked the participants of the meeting for conducting an active and fruitful discussion and expressed hope that such meetings will contribute to the further development of agricultural knowledge and innovations in Georgian agriculture.
Forestry Professional Day
On October 10, Georgia celebrates the Forestry Professional Day. The forest is a source of life, the beauty of the Earth, its magnificent and amazing clothing. At all times, people have tried to preserve it for future generations. Even in ancient times, the concept of forest guards appeared was a very responsible and difficult profession. In the modern era, the forester shouldered all the difficulties of maintaining, caring for and protecting the forest, so the work of a forester is very important and appreciated.
In order to popularize the profession of a forester and emphasize the importance of the field, the Forestry Professional Day has been celebrated in Georgia since 1999. On October 10 of this year, a thematic session dedicated to the Forestry Day was held in the session hall of the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, organized by the Department of Environmental Protection and Forestry Sciences of the Academy. The meeting was attended by members of the Department of Environmental Protection and Forestry Sciences: Academician-Secretary of the Department, Academician Lasha Dolidze, Head of the Academic Department, Dr. Marine Barvenashvili, Fellow of the Department - Doctor of Agriculture Zviad Tiginashvili, Acting Director of the V. Gulisashvili Forestry Institute, Doctor of Forestry Giorgi Kavtaradze, Chief Scientist of the Forest Protection Department of the same institute, Doctor of Biology Medea Burjanadze and Research Associate, Doctor of Agriculture Natalia Kharabadze, Leading Specialist of the Academy Ketevan Chipashvili, Member of the Council of Young Scientists and Specialists under the Presidium of the Academy Vasil Metreveli.
The session was opened by Academician Lasha Dolidze, Secretary of the Scientific Department of Environmental Protection and Forestry of the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, who, after a short greeting, congratulated the audience on the Day of Forestry. Then, Academician Lasha Dolidze handed over the floor for the report “Implementation of a biological method of combating chestnut bark cancer in Georgia” to the Chief Scientist of the Forest Protection Department of the V. Gulisashvili Forestry Institute of the Agrarian University, Doctor of Biology Medea Burjanadze.
After the report, a discussion was held. The audience asked a number of questions, to which Dr. M. Burjanadze provided comprehensive answers.
The session was summarized by Academician-Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection and Forestry Sciences of the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Academician Lasha Dolidze, who thanked the speaker and the audience for coming and noted that such meetings contribute to the popularization of the introduction of biological methods of combating chestnut bark cancer in Georgian forests.
Congratulations
Georgian Scientist, public figure Tamaz Batsikadze – 80
On October 10, 2024, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor, State Prize Laureate, Mr. Tamaz Batsikadze, has turned 80 years old and celebrates 57 years of scientific, pedagogical and public activity.
Professor of the Georgian Technical University, Full Member (Academician) of the International Engineering Academy, Academician-Secretary of the Georgian Engineering Academy, Member of the Presidium, Laureate of the State Prize in the field of science and technology, holder of the Medal of Honor and the Order of Honor, Assistant to the President of the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Mr. Tamaz Batsikadze has been universally recognized among both Georgian and foreign scientists for many years.
Mr. Tamaz Batsikadze was born on October 10, 1944 in Tbilisi. 1967 He graduated with honors from the Faculty of Construction of the Georgian Polytechnic Institute, specializing in industrial and civil construction. In 1967-1973, he was an assistant at the Department of Theory of Strength and Elasticity of Materials of the Georgian Polytechnic Institute. Since 1973, after defending his candidate dissertation, he has been an associate professor at the same department. In 1977-78, he was engaged in pedagogical and scientific activities at the University of Paris VII in France, and in 1990-91, he worked at the Universities of Wisconsin and Madison in the USA. In 1982-85, he was the Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Construction of the Georgian Polytechnic Institute, and in 1987-2005 - the Vice-Rector of the Georgian Polytechnic Institute, first in the field of correspondence studies, then in the field of capital construction and prospective development. It is noteworthy that during this period, the following buildings were built and put into operation: the teaching and laboratory building of the Faculty of Metallurgy, the 1st row of the teaching and laboratory building of the Faculty of Geology, a museum, a gym, the building of the Microelectronics Center, sports fields, an indoor swimming pool, residential buildings for employees, a student dormitory on the Nutsubidze Plateau, a sports and recreation base in the Leselidze settlement, and others. An experimental construction and educational department was created, where construction and repair work was mainly performed by students of construction and related faculties.
In 1998, Professor T. Batsikadze was awarded the Georgian State Prize in the field of science and technology.
In 1998, Mr. T. Batsikadze successfully defended his doctoral dissertation and was awarded the scientific degree of Doctor of Technical Sciences and the title of Professor. In 1997-1999, he concurrently headed the Department of “Construction Mechanics” of the Georgian Technical University. In 1999, he was elected Head of the Department and a member of the Presidium of the Georgian Engineering Academy.
In 2005-2009, he was the Head of the Construction Department of the Faculty of Construction of the Georgian Technical University and a Full Professor of the Department of Theory of Strength and Elasticity of Materials. In 2006-2016, he was a member of the Academic Council of the Georgian Technical University. From 2009 to 2022, he was the Head of the Prospective Development Service and the Department of Engineering Mechanics of the Georgian Technical University. From 2022 to the present, he has been heading the Construction Training, Scientific, Expert, and Testing Laboratory of the Faculty of Construction.
Professor Tamaz Batsikadze has been the Assistant to the President of the Georgian Academy of Agriculture for General Affairs (International Relations, Programs, and Grant Project Directions) since August 2021.
Mr. Tamaz has been a member of the Editorial and Publishing Council of the Georgian Technical University since 2010, a member of the Editorial Board of the Collection of Scientific Works, a member of the European Union Science and Education Development Evaluation Jury, and Deputy Chairman of the Editorial Board of the Engineering Technical Journal “Construction” of the Georgian Technical University. His scientific direction is the mechanics of solid deformable bodies. He has obtained significant results in solving problems of plastic deformations and bearing capacity of slabs and shells.
Mr. Tamazi's profound philosophical works deserve special mention, including: “What do we do after “death”?”; “How to be convinced of the immortality of the soul”; “Who are we and where are we after death” and others.
Professor T. Batsikadze is a laureate of the Georgian State Prize in the field of science and technology. He has been awarded the Medal of Honor (1998), the Order of Honor (2003). He is the author of about 200 scientific works. He has published 11 textbooks, including in French and Russian, as well as 4 monographs and methodological works. The textbooks have been awarded the seal of the Ministry of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia and are recommended for students of higher educational institutions of all technical profiles.
Dear Mr. Tamaz, the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences cordially congratulates you, an esteemed person, a recognized scientist and public figure, a wonderful husband, father and grandfather, on your 80th birthday and 57th anniversary of your scientific, pedagogical and public activities. We wish you good health, a long life, and fruitful scientific, pedagogical and public activities for the benefit of our country.
Science Festival "Young Scientists for a Better Future of the Planet" at Kutaisi Akaki Tsereteli State University
On October 4 of this year, a scientific event was organized at Kutaisi Akaki Tsereteli State University within the framework of the scientific festival “Young Scientists for a Better Future of the Planet” planned by the Ministry of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia, in which young scientists, researchers, students, seniors of Kutaisi and Zestaponi public schools, etc. participated. Among the invited guests were: scientists from the Institute of Zoology of Ilia State University, the Korneli Kekelidze Georgian National Center for Manuscripts and other scientific and research institutions. From the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, the Head of the Academic Department of the Academy, Dr. Marine Barvenashvili, and the Chief Specialist for Relations and Activities with International Organizations of the Academy, Dr. Tinatin Epitashvili, participated in the festival.
At the festival, which was held in the open space of the university, students and professors from individual faculties of the university provided the audience with information about their activities.
It is noteworthy that the pavilion of the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences was continuously visited by a stream of visitors, among whom were both university professors and lecturers, as well as students and schoolchildren. The head of the academic department, Dr. Marine Barvenashvili, and the chief specialist for relations and activities with international organizations of the Academy, Dr. Tinatin Epitashvili, introduced the festival participants to the activities of the Academy, its future plans, and provided comprehensive answers to the questions asked. The Georgian bee attracted special attention from the young people, about which M. Barvenashvili provided important information. It is also worth emphasizing that the recommendations and collections of scientific works published by the Academy aroused great interest, the majority of which were handed over to interested persons.
The festival was visited by the Minister of IDPs from the Occupied Territories, Labor, Health and Social Protection of Georgia, Mr. Mikheil Sarjveladze, who inspected the pavilions and the exhibits presented.
At the festival, a memorandum of cooperation was signed between Akaki Tsereteli State University and the company "Coca-Cola Bottlers Georgia", which was signed by the Rector of the University, Mr. Shalva Kirtadze, and the founder of the company "Coca-Cola Bottlers Georgia", Mr. Temur Chkonia.
Mr. T. Chkonia presented vouchers worth 2,000 GEL to 21 students of the university, who received 100% funding for their studies through a state educational grant, and transferred 25,000 GEL to the university, for which Sh. Kirtadze expressed his great gratitude.
A gala concert was held at the end of the festival.
Meeting of the Agricultural Innovations Commission
On September 25 of this year, a meeting of the Agricultural Innovations Commission was held, at which the report: “Obtaining new forms of citrus fruits using selection methods and integrated management of new technologies” was delivered by Nino Kipiani, Associate Professor of Kutaisi Akaki Tsereteli State University, Doctor of Agriculture.
In her speech, the speaker spoke about obtaining new forms of citrus fruits using selection methods and new technologies. It was noted that an effective method in citrus fruit selection is distant hybridization, during which different genomes can be combined in a hybrid organism. Distant hybridization is also an alternative method for the distribution of citrus crops for industrial purposes, the limiting factor of which is their low frost resistance.
After the report, a discussion was held. Dr. N. Kipiani gave exhaustive and reasoned answers to the questions of doctors: Gocha Tsopurashvili, Ekaterina Katsitadze, Giorgi Kutelia, professors: Otar Karchava, Omar Tedoradze, Tamaz Bichiashvili, and academician Tengiz Kurashvili.
The following expressed their opinions on the presented topic: Academician Roland Kopaliani, the report's recommender, doctors: Gocha Tsopurashvili, Ekaterina Katsitadze, Giorgi Kutelia, Neli Makhvihadze, Nodar Khokhashvili, professors: Tamaz Bichiashvili, Omar Tedoradze, and academician Aleksandre Didebulidze. They positively assessed the presented work, emphasized the relevance and importance of the topic, and wished the speaker further success.
The meeting decided: to approve the presented report; to consider the prospects of conducting further research on the outstanding hybrid forms: lemon - form #24, form #136; tangerine - form #127, form #117; orange - form #44, form #18; grapefruit - form #102, form #143, during the replenishment of the citrus plant gene pool and the restoration-rehabilitation of depreciated orchards at the Scientific Research Center for Agrarian Directions of Kutaisi Akaki Tsereteli State University, under the leadership of Academician Roland Kopaliani.
Young Scientists for a Better Future of the Planet” held at the Iakob Gogebashvili Telavi State University
On September 27 of this year, the festival “Young Scientists for a Better Future of the Planet” was held at the Iakob Gogebashvili Telavi State University, with the support of the Ministry of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia, the goal of which was to popularize science among young people and strengthen their participation in research and innovative activities. Among the invited guests were: scientists from the Ivane Beritashvili Experimental Biomedicine Center, Ilia State University, Korneli Kekelidze Georgian National Center for Manuscripts and other scientific and research institutions, university professors.
The Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences was represented in the festival by the Chief Academician-Secretary of the Academy, Academician Aleksandre Didebulidze, the Head of the Academic Department of the Academy, Dr. Marine Barvenashvili, and Dr. Irine Bakhtadze.
The festival was opened and the guests were welcomed by the Rector of the Iakob Gogebashvili Telavi State University, Mr. Shalva Chkadua. In his speech, Mr. Shalva briefly spoke about the current and future plans of the university, after which he wished success to each participant of the festival in their further activities. The participants of the festival were welcomed by Ketevan Kokrashvili, Head of the Department of Science Development of the Ministry of Education, Science and Youth. It was noted that the involvement of young people in scientific and research activities is very important for the further development and progress of our country. Accordingly, in order to popularize science among young people, to involve them in research and innovative activities, the Ministry will continue to plan similar events.
After the welcoming speech, a ceremony was held to award certificates to successful students and professors of the university. The certificates were presented by the Rector of the University, Mr. Shalva Chkadua.
Within the framework of the festival, the 5th International Scientific Conference was held at the Faculty of Educational Sciences of Telavi University, which was dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of science and innovation in society, and to demonstrating the national scientific, technological and innovative potential..
In the exhibition pavilions located in the university yard, scientific papers and presentations were presented, which concerned agrarian, tourism, history and other fields of science. It is noteworthy that the pavilion of the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, which was located in a place of honor, immediately after the hosts' pavilion, was visited with great interest by schoolchildren, young people and students, as well as other interested persons. The Chief Academician-Secretary of the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Academician A. Didebulidze and the Head of the Academic Department of the Academy, Dr. M. Barvenashvili, introduced them to the structure and activities of the Academy, gave comprehensive answers to the questions asked, and presented the recommendations issued by the Academy.
Within the framework of the event, a wine enterprise equipped with modern equipment and laboratory equipment at Telavi State University was solemnly openedA festive concert was also held, at which the choreographic ensembles "Kavkasioni" and "Chadari", the folklore ensemble of the university, and the children's singing group "Pesvebi" of the Fourth Public School presented their creativity to the audience.
The scientific festival was visited by the majoritarian deputy of Telavi, Akhmeta, Kvareli and Lagodekhi, Irakli Kadagishvili, who inspected the pavilions and the presented exhibits.
At the end of the festival, the guests thanked the university administration, the organizers of the festival: Deputy Rector for Science Nunu Geldiashvili and the members of the organizing committee for the warm welcome, and wished them success and prosperity in their further activities.
The Rector of Iakob Gogebashvili Telavi State University, Mr. Shalva Chkadua, sent a letter of gratitude to the President of the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Academician Givi Japaridze, for the support the Academy has expressed towards Telavi State University and for participating in the scientific festival planned by them.
International Day of Forest Workers
On September 18 of this year, a thematic session dedicated to the International Day of Forest Workers was held in the conference hall of the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, organized by the Department of Environmental Protection and Forestry Sciences of the Academy. The session was attended by: Academician-Secretary of the Department, Academician Lasha Dolidze, Chief Academician-Secretary of the Academy, Academician Aleksandre Didebulidze, Head of the Academic Department, Dr. Marine Barvenashvili, Academy Fellows: Doctor of Agriculture Zviad Tiginashvili, V. Acting Director of the Gulisashvili Forestry Institute, Doctor of Forestry Giorgi Kavtaradze, Head of the Agropastoral Crops Research Service of the Agricultural Scientific Research Center, Doctor of Agriculture Nana Goginashvili, Professors of the Agrarian University: Doctor of Agriculture Nato Kobakhidze and Doctor of Biology Medea Burjanadze.
The session was opened by Academician-Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection and Forestry Sciences of the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Academician Lasha Dolidze, who, after a short greeting, presented a report on the topic: “Forest Fires in Georgia and Scientific Foundations of Fire Safety”. Academician Lasha Dolidze reviewed the history of forest fires in Georgia, the formation of foci of forest fires of various groups and intensities at the species and ecosystem levels in Georgia in recent years - factors contributing to the spread, their impact on the silvicultural and biological-ecological characteristics of forest ecosystems of various composition, frequency, structure, and age, and on the sustainability of social and protective-ecological functions. He focused on: the impact of global climate change on forest ecosystems, the processes of fire outbreaks and spread, early warning systems for fire safety, their remote and operational monitoring tools, the features of the outbreaks and spread and combustion processes of forest fires of various groups and intensities, the impact of forest fires on the dynamics of the main physical and water-regulating properties of soils in forest ecosystems, the sustainability of the water-regulating function of dead forest cover, natural forest regeneration, the variability of microclimate components in forest ecosystems, etc. He also spoke about innovative, integrated means, systems and methods of combating the outbreaks and spread of forest fires.
After the report, a discussion was held, in which the participants of the meeting actively participated.
The session was summarized by Academician Lasha Dolidze, Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection and Forestry Sciences of the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, who thanked the speaker and the audience for coming and noted that such meetings contribute to the discussion of challenges related to Georgia's forests and their subsequent leveling.
A scientific festival “Young Scientists for a Better Future of the Planet
On September 16 of this year, a scientific festival “Young Scientists for a Better Future of the Planet” was held in the Botanical Garden of Zugdidi. Among the invited guests at the festival were: scientists from the Korneli Kekelidze Georgian National Manuscript Center, the Ivane Beritashvili Experimental Biomedicine Center, the Evgeni Kharadze Georgian National Astrophysical Observatory, the Ivane Javakhishvili State University and other scientific and educational institutions. From the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, the Academician-Secretary of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences of the Academy, Academician Tengiz Kurashvili, a fellow of the Department of Economic Sciences of the Academy, Dr. Nato Jabnidze, and the Academy’s leading specialist Ketevan Chipashvili participated in the festival.
The festival was opened and the guests were welcomed by the Rector of Shota Meskhia Zugdidi State University, Ms. Teona Khupenia, after which she introduced the structure of the university to the audience, spoke about the nearest plans, and the achievements of the university. It was noted that the main goal of the university is: to create educational programs focused on the integration of learning and research, taking into account the changing needs of the labor market, which will maximally meet today's requirements; to prepare competitive highly qualified personnel with professional education, etc. In her speech, Ms. Khupenia also focused on the university's library equipped with the latest technology, the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies, and well-equipped dormitories for students, which create the best environment to help students receive quality education. At the end of her speech, Ms. Teona Khupenia thanked all those agencies and organizations that stand by the university with dignity and make a certain contribution to it.
At the festival, Georgian and foreign scientists were awarded the honorary title of Professor of Zugdidi State University. A farewell ceremony for university graduates was held, which was dedicated to a solemn concert.
It is also worth noting that the Academician-Secretary of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences of the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Academician Tengiz Kurashvili, and the scholar of the Department of Economic Sciences of the Academy, Doctor Nato Jabnidze, introduced the activities of the Academy to the young participants of the festival and also to interested persons, and talked about important issues in veterinary medicine and agrarian economics.
The next day, the guests visited the university, toured the teaching and methodological offices equipped with modern equipment, laboratories, a library, a student dormitory, a sports complex, etc.
At the end of the festival, the guests expressed their gratitude to the university administration for the warm welcome and hospitality, and wished them progress and success in their future endeavors.