On July 11, Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University (TSU) hosted the 14th graduation ceremony of the English-language interdisciplinary Master’s Program in European Studies of the Institute for European Studies, as well as an event dedicated to the successful re/accreditation of the Bachelor’s and Master’s Programs in European Studies of the Institute for European Studies. TSU Rector George Sharvashidze, Director of the TSU Institute for European Studies, Nino Lapiashvili, Head of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation South Caucasus Office, Stephan Malerius, professors, and students attended the event. The scholarships of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation were awarded to up to twenty students of the master’s program of the Institute for European Studies of TSU, involving full funding of studies and a substantial monthly stipend.
 

“Today, the students of European Studies completed their studies. This is a two-year master’s program supported by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. Let me congratulate students on their graduation and wish them success. These are young people who will create the history of tomorrow’s Europe,” Rector Sharvashidze said.
 

Stephan Malerius, Head of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation South Caucasus Office, expressed his gratitude to TSU for the program and congratulated students on their graduation.  
 

Along with Georgian students, citizens of Ukraine, Moldova, Azerbaijan, and Armenia also completed the master’s program this year. Nino Lapiashvili, Director of the TSU Institute for European Studies, congratulated the graduates on successful completion of their studies and wished them success in the future. “The Institute for European Studies already has six programs – bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and double degree programs. Not only Georgian citizens, but also students from the Eastern Partnership countries are studying on the programs. The international group has contributed to the program internationalization, experience sharing and increased the number of graduates who spread European values ​​in different countries,” Nino Lapiashvili noted.
 

Rector George Sharvashidze and Stephan Malerius of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation handed over certificates to the graduates as a symbol of successful completion of their studies.
 

One of the important parts of the event was dedicated to the current developments in Ukraine and the national anthem of Ukraine was performed by the TSU Choir. This year, Ukrainian student Elizaveta Kochekova gained the status of the most successful student of the program. “This day was very emotional for me because I met peers for the first time after three years of online learning. We had an opportunity to meet face to face and exchange our opinions. I appreciate the support expressed for Ukraine,” Elizaveta Kochekova noted.

The event traditionally ended with mortarboard throwing.