Within the governments strategic scope, a business meeting was held in Julich Research Center – Federal Republic of Germany, by the Minister of Education and Science of Georgia – Ms. Tamar Sanikidze, Deputy Minister – Mr. George Sharvashidze, and the director of Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation – Ms. Marine Chitashvili regarding the prospects of discussing future plans for the Georgian-German scientific bridge, enhancing the current existing cooperation between the two parties, and the support required to promote the return of Georgian scientists back to Georgia.

During the visit, the Georgian delegation met with the German Federal Ministers of Education and Research and Economic Development, as well as, with the Georgian scientists and students who currently work and study in Germany, and were introduced to their presentations. In addition, business meetings were held with the representatives of SMART | EDMlab laboratory, where the discussion took place regarding the future projects. Also, the Georgian delegation visited the RWTH AACHEN - Aachen University.

The visit, which was financially supported by the Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation, mainly covered the project of returning Georgian scientists, who currently work abroad, back to their home country. The above-mentioned project is supported by the Julich Research Center, and aims to minimize the process of so called “brain drain” and return the valued scientists to back to Georgia, where the Julich Research Center will arrange laboratories in conjunction with creating the necessary environment. “We are absolutely positive that the young Georgian scientists will demonstrate their full scientific potential, be capable of managing the newly founded research centers, enhance the cooperation with their German colleagues and work on various

Furthermore, the main priority of the Georgian government is to support young scientists. In this regard, the Julich Research Center is working on the various exchange programs for the students, researchers and academic personnel, as well as, on the introduction of common seminars, summer schools, and conferences, where the latest discoveries and results will be shared/exchanged.

Since 2012, the Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation of the Ministry of Education and Science in collaboration with the Jülich Research Center, introduced a joint research training program. Under the mentioned program, the PhD and Masters’ students of Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Georgian Technical University and Ilia State University, have the opportunity to visit the Jülich Research Center and and work with the German colleagues on the variety of research projects. On July 16, 2015, the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding, increasing the term co-operation for five additional years.