The student movement “Defend Iliauni” (Ilia State University) has challenged Georgia’s Minister of Education, Givi Mikanadze, to come to the university to take part in a public discussion.
According to activists, the ongoing reform in the education system raises serious questions among students regarding its expediency and purpose. They emphasize that these processes directly affect the lives of young people.
Members of the movement call it categorically unacceptable that the future of the university and higher education is being decided without the involvement of students, professors, lecturers, experts, research, and the broader academic community.
“The reform being carried out in the education system has overstepped values vital to the university, such as academic freedom, the promotion of scientific research, and the creation of new knowledge. <…>
The situation facing Ilia State University is particularly dire — an institution that for many years has held an important place in Georgia’s educational and scientific landscape and ranks first among Georgian higher education institutions in international university rankings.”
The students also deem it unacceptable that “the individuals responsible for the consequences of these decisions have avoided engaging with students,” while the academic community is informed about radical changes at the university only at the very last moment.
“We have repeatedly voiced our protest and repeatedly asked questions, including through formal appeals submitted to the Ministry of Education. But this is not enough, just as the vague official responses we received are not enough.
Therefore, today we publicly address the person responsible for the so-called education reform, Givi Mikanadze, and invite him to the university for a public discussion with the students of Ilia State University!
We urge you to answer the students’ questions directly and speak about the decisions that your agency refers to as education reform.”
According to the activists, they “do not need generic explanations and scripted answers.” “We need an open discussion, concrete arguments, and for you to take responsibility before the students for communicating with them,” the statement reads.
The students also stated that they would not agree to any alteration of the meeting’s format and do not intend to appear on pro-government television channels for the debate: “This must be our dialogue.”
“If you are confident in the correctness of your decision, it should not be difficult for you to come, and you should not evade meeting the students whose future is shaped by these decisions,” members of the “Defend Iliauni” movement stated.