During the visit to the Autonomous Republic of Adjara, Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, of Georgia Nunu Mitskevichi visited several higher education institutions and got acquainted with the innovations introduced at universities before the start of the new academic year.

The Deputy Minister received information from the academic staff about all the projects that have already been introduced at the universities and the ones that are currently underway. Particular attention was paid to new e-learning projects that will be further strengthened from the new academic year.

Additionally, the Deputy Minister got acquainted with the news of Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University, as well as Batumi State Maritime Academy, Batumi Art University, Bau-Batumi International University and other state and private universities and offered recommendations on sharing international best practices to further enhance teaching and learning.

Furthermore, Nunu Mitskevichi attended a presentation at Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University about the new e-learning services that have already been introduced to support students. For the first time in Georgia, an innovative student portal - portal.bsu.edu.ge was created, through which, students receive information on their projects, as well as job openings, internships, etc. The portal also includes a database through which companies and organizations connect with students and graduates in a short period of time for employment opportunities.

Moreover, Nunu Mitskevichi also inspected the new training building, constructed according to the modern standards. The building will feature a Technopark,  located on the first floor of the building, whereas, the Center for Vocational Program Management and Continuing Education will be located on the second and third floors. The new training institution will start operations in Autumn.

Additionally, the four-storey dormitory for 200 residents, will feature a conference hall, as well as free spaces, a library, an elevator, a security room, laundry, and drying rooms, etc. Adapted blocks are provided for people with special needs.

To ensure the perfect management of the distance learning and business correspondence, the electronic portal of the Batumi State Maritime Academy fully provides the opportunity to conduct the educational process in a synchronous and asynchronous mode. The ZOOM platform gives full academic video conferencing to academic and visiting staff, and it is available to students at any time. By the end of 2020, the Batumi Maritime Academy will have a modern standard training pool, which will allow the students and current sailors of the academy to pass the mandatory practical training in accordance with the standards developed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The construction of a branch of the Batumi State Maritime Academy is also underway in Poti, which will open in 2021 and is designed for 1000 students.

Additionally, Batumi University of Arts is preparing for the new academic year. The institution is heavily focusing on training a highly qualified personnel in the field of arts, which will contribute to the development of educational, cognitive, creative and research activities in the field of art and culture.

Bau - Batumi International University, whose priority is to deepen theoretical knowledge with clinical thinking and clinical skills, has a solid experience in distance learning since 2015. The university, along with other medical institutions, permanently participates in webinars, to share the experience in overcoming the difficulties of distance learning.

Before the start of the new academic year, a board of university rectors will receive more detailed instructions by the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia.