Saakashvili hosts students to discuss education
By Lera Khubunaia
Monday, March 5
The President spoke about the reforms made to Georgia's education system, as well as upcoming initiatives. Currently, the government is working on reforms to help students get a European-quality education.
The program will involve financing the travel and study of 6000 students in summer schools abroad; Saakashvili also plans to hire more foreign teachers and professors.
"We have many technologically-advanced hospitals, [where] it is necessary to know English in order to understand the new technologies," he noted. "By bringing in foreign teachers, it will be easier for [Georgians] to learn the language". The government hopes to offer advanced programs in computers and other professional fields, in English.
This summer, 25 000 students will be employed through a Ministry of Education and Science program, where they will work for a month and earn 500 GEL. Saakashvili also noted that summer camps will be open again this year, and students will be able to continue their education there.
The President announced that the first section of the American Technical University will open in Batumi this year; by 2013, Batumi will have a world-class technical university, which will serve all of Georgia.
During the meeting, Saakashvili also mentioned Georgia's recent accomplishments. He noted that the country is able to produce its own goods and services, including military artillery.
"When we tested the 'Lazika', our new military machine, everyone started to say that American and English ones are better. Aren't you surprised that we were able to create this? Who would imagine that our engineers would build a military machine with Georgian schematics, and without any help from others?" Saakashvili asked.
According to Saakashvili, there is a "mental revolution" in the country today. Several nations see Georgia as an example to follow.
"A few days ago, one of the Russian opposition party leaders said that they should be guided by successful countries' examples; starting with Singapore and ending with Georgia, starting with Georgia and ending with Hong Kong," Saakashvili asserted.
He also noted positive changes in the Georgian economy; Georgia reached seven percent growth in 2011, and is estimated to reach 10 percent. According to the President, in the future, Georgia will have so many job openings that people will not have to leave the country to find work.