On
23-24 of April, professors visiting from the San Diego State University (SDSU) will
perform a two-day seminar - STEM Academy, for the university entrants. Today, STEM Academy was announced to open, and the
participants of the seminar were addressed with a speech by the Ministrer of
Education and Science of Georgia –Ms. Tamar Sanikidze, the executive director
of Millennium Challenge Account – Ms. Magda Magradze and the Dean of San Diego
State University – Dr. Ken Walsh.
The main purpose of the visit is to engage students
of the 12th grade, interested in engineering, natural sciences, and technology
(STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) with the latest discoveries and
achievement in the fields of chemistry, biology, physics, mathematics and
engineering, in conjunction with familiarizing Georgian students to the US
higher education system, and other various interesting topics.
Amongst the invited scientists were: The Dean of the
Faculty of Sciences at San Diego State University, a former Biological safety adviser
to the US government and a former president of the American Biological Safety Association – Mr. Stanley Malloy, and San
Diego State University Professor, Dr. William (Bill) Tong. Moreover, Dr. Tong is known for his discoveries in laser
technologies, through which it is possible to detect tiny concentrations in chemical
elements. This technology will enable to diagnose early stages of Alzheimer's,
Cancer and other lethal diseases, which significantly increases the chance of
treatment.
Tbilisi will also be visited by the director of the Center for Energy
Studies at San Diego State University, Dr. Alan Svidler, and the Head of electrical
and computer engineering department at San Diego State University, Dr. Lal Tummala.
San Diego State University professors within the
scope of STEM Academy, will give lectures to the interested entrats who would like
to apply to San Diego State (currently 40 students of the 12th grader from the
regions of Georgia) and will also hold public lectures.
San Diego State University (SDSU), together with the Millennium
Challenge Account Georgia, in the interest of a higher education component,
implements various internationally accreddited undergraduate programs (ABET, ACS, WASC) in the fields of
engineering and technology (STEM) since 2015. The graduates of such programs
will receive american diplomas. These programs will support the development of
natural sciences and technologies in Georgia in conjunction with creating a
highly skilled workforce. The project is being implemented by the US Millennium
Challenge Corporation (MCC) with the second compact financial support.