Georgian Dream Reorganizes Public University Programs Under 'One City, One Faculty' Plan
By Liza Mchedlidze
Friday, February 13, 2026
The Georgian Dream government has announced a major reorganization of public university programs under its "one city, one faculty" initiative, assigning specific fields of study to particular institutions while phasing out others. Georgian Dream's Education Minister Givi Mikanadze said the changes aim to better align higher education with labor market needs.
"Student enrollment has not always matched labor market demands, leaving graduates with limited opportunities," Mikanadze said at a February 12 briefing. "As a result of labor market research, we already know how many students it is advisable to enroll in universities for specific specialties. Accordingly, this year, student enrollment will be largely based on labor market demands."
Under the new structure, Tbilisi State University will serve as the country's "mother university," offering humanities, law, economics, social and political sciences, and natural sciences. Georgian Technical University will focus on engineering and technical disciplines, Ilia State University will retain pedagogy and ABET-accredited STEM programs, and Tbilisi State Medical University will continue with medical sciences. Other regional universities will concentrate on fields such as agrarian studies, tourism, and Georgian-Abkhaz language and literature.
Mikanadze emphasized that the changes "largely reflect each university's traditional profile" and aim to restore TSU's role as a leading multi-disciplinary institution in the capital.
However, the plan has drawn criticism from some academics. Giorgi Gvalia, deputy rector of Ilia State University, wrote on Facebook, "The decision effectively dismantles Ilia State University." The reforms follow the government's recent decision to cancel a planned merger between Georgian Technical University and TSU, a move that had faced opposition from both faculty and students.
The government added that arts and sports universities will continue to accept students in their relevant disciplines, while universities in Batumi and Kutaisi will retain a broader focus to meet local needs.
