Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University

Shota Rustaveli State University is one of the youngest higher educational institutions in Georgia. It is an important centre of education, science and culture in our country.

Georgian society has always tried to expand the school system in Adjara, mainly in Batumi. With this purpose the question was raised to open a Boys’ Gymnasium in 1893. After great efforts the gymnasium was finally opened in 1897. On 26 September, 1900 it became possible to open the Women’s Gymnasium as well.

Later, in 1923, in the former building of Women’s Gymnasium (now Secondary School #2) a Pedagogical Institute was established which later became Pedagogical Technical School. It prepared teachers for elementary (junior) classes.

In 1935 a two-year Teachers’ Institute was opened with 4 faculties: Georgian language and literature, Physics-Mathematics, History and Natural Sciences-Geography. In 1938 the faculty of Russian language and literature was added to the list.

In 1938 the institute was named after Shota Rustaveli. It already had 11 departments: Languages, Literature, Mathematics, Physics, Marxism-Leninism, History, Pedagogics, Biology-Chemistry, Geography, Sports, Gymnastics.

In 1944 Leadership of Institute layed a claim to the Georgian government to transfer Teachers’ Institute into a Pedagogical Institute.

In 1945 the Pedagogical Institute was established on the basis of Batumi Teachers’ Institute. The fact had a great resonance. There arose a question about the improvement of the material-technical base. The two-storeyed building could not respond to the increasing requirements. In 1952 the reconstruction began. In 1956 the renovated building was exploited, though it was not enough and in 1977 the construction of a new five-storeyed building began which was finished in 1982.

On 3 September, 1990 according to the resolution #453 the Cabinet of Ministers of Georgia, on the basis of Batumi State Pedagogical Institute a State University was created.

After transformation into the University, the educational institution had a lot of changes. At the beginning there existed 5 faculties, 19 specialties and 27 chairs. In 1996-97 the Batumi Independent University united to the State University and new faculties and departments were established.

Since 1996 University has moved to the two-staged education: Undergraduate studies – duration of studies 4 years and Graduate studies – duration of studies 2 years.

At present, the University is functioning in accordance with the law on “the higher education of Georgia” (24 December, 2004), 4 faculties were created on the basis of 11 faculties and, 18 departments on the basis of 44 chairs. At the same time, there are courses of Graduate studies and Post-graduate studies at the University.

The strategic location, climate and historical values of the Adjara region provide a chance for Batumi to rank high among the world university cities. The project – “Batumi University City”- has gained its actuality. The year 2006 has been announced as the year of the University reforms. The priority has also been determined – close collaboration with other countries’ higher institutions. The University is actively involved in the “Bologna Process”.

In case Batumi becomes a university city, university together with the including segments will go through the accreditation process all over again. All this is directed towards its becoming more competitive and approaching international standards.