Approved by the Representative Council 

By Resolution N23/8 of April 19, 2024 

Provision of the Department of International Relations 

the LEPL - Tbilisi State Medical University 

1.      The LEPL - Tbilisi State Medical University (hereinafter referred to as the University) Department of International Relations (hereinafter referred to as the Department), as a structural unit of the University, operates within the framework of the implementation of the University mission, expressed in supporting the fulfilment of the goals stipulated by the internationalization strategy. The department coordinates the initiatives aimed at internationalizing learning and research endeavors, while concurrently enhancing the university visibility and prestige on both local and global platforms. 

2.      The rights/powers, functions, obligations, and organizational structure of the department are defined by this provision. 

3.      The department is guided in its activities by the law of Georgia "On Higher Education", the university charter, international agreements, this provision, the internal regulations of the university and other legislative and subordinate acts. 

4.      The department is directly subordinated and its activities are coordinated and supervised by the rector of the university. 

5.      The department is directly accountable/liable to the Rector of the university. 

The Department of International Relations is dedicated to supporting the fulfilment of the mission and goals of the University. Specifically focused on enhancing the university's institutional capacity, the department oversees initiatives to internationalize learning and research activities, while also actively promoting Tbilisi State Medical University's prominence within the global scientific and educational arena." The Department of International Relations is crucial in fortifying the University's institutional framework. It spearheads the coordination of initiatives aimed at internationalizing learning and research while also actively promoting the strengthening of the role of Tbilisi State Medical University in the international scientific and educational space. Aligned with the university internationalization action plan, the priority objectives of the Department encompass: fostering partnerships with international organizations; cultivating relationships with foreign universities, research institutes, and medical centers; sourcing international projects; securing university membership in global organizations and professional bodies; facilitating international mobility for students, residents, and faculty; hosting international conferences, seminars, and related events; advocating for joint educational initiatives; collaborating with accredited diplomatic missions in Georgia and international bodies; advancing the university's standing in international ranking systems; and actively recruiting and supporting international students. In accordance with the university internationalization action plan, the priority goals of the department are cooperation with international organizations; fostering partnerships with international organizations; cultivating relationships with foreign universities, research institutions, and scientific and medical centers; seeking participation in international projects; university membership in global organizations and professional associations; facilitating  international mobility for students, residents, and professors; organizing international conferences, seminars, and related events; advancing joint educational programs; collaborating with accredited diplomatic missions in Georgia and international organizations; promoting the 

university's engagement with international ranking systems; and attracting and supporting international students. 

1.      The positions of the employees in the department are determined by the university staff schedule; 

2.      The department is led by the Head of Department, who is appointed and dismissed by the Rector; 

3.      The head of the Department is directly liable/accountable to the Rector of the university. 

4.      In the absence of the Head of the Department, one of the department's employees assumes his/her duties, in agreement with the rector, and a corresponding order is issued. 

Head of the Department within his/her competence: 

1.      Supervises and directs the operations of the Department, and is responsible for ensuring the execution of assigned functions and tasks; 

2.      Allocates duties among department employees and sets the direction of their activities. 

3.      Responsible for creating and implementing the Department's international relations concept; 

4.      submits proposals to the university leadership to optimize the Department's structure and staff schedule; 

5.      Executes additional functions and tasks as outlined by this provision, official guidelines, and university administrative-legal acts. 

The structural units of the department are: 

a) International Cooperation Division (ICD); 

b) Division of Recruiting and Enrolling International Students; 

c) Division for attracting and promoting grant projects. 

Article 6. Division of International Cooperation   

1.      The Division of international cooperation is led by the Head of the Division, who is appointed and dismissed by the Rector; 

2.      Head of the Division is directly liable/accountable to the Head of the International Relations Department and the Rector of the university; 

3.      In the absence of the head of the Division, one of the employees of the Division assumes his/her duties, in agreement with the Head of the Division, and a corresponding order is issued; 

4.      The Division of International Cooperation manages the university's relationships with international organizations, foreign educational institutions, scientific research centers, and 

medical institutions. It implements activities outlined in the internationalization strategy, based on bilateral cooperation agreements and international projects. The Division organizes the 

participation of university students, residents, administrative staff, academic staff, and researchers in international mobility programs and summer schools. To achieve these objectives, the International Cooperation Division performs the following functions and activities: 

a)      Ensuring the university membership in strategically important international organizations and professional associations; Finding new partners; 

b)      Coordinating the organization of international scientific conferences and seminars at the university; 

c)      Planning and coordinating business trips for university administrative staff abroad, as well as organizing visits for international delegations to the university; 

d)      Managing the selection process for outgoing students/residents participating in exchange programs under bilateral agreements and/or international projects, including the preparation of necessary documentation and facilitating the reception and integration of incoming students in Georgia. 

e)      Conducting negotiations with foreign partners, overseeing the administrative processes of ongoing exchange programs, in collaboration with the Department of Attracting and Promoting Grant Projects, preparing applications for participation in the Erasmus+ project, participating in candidate evaluation and selection procedures, and verifying relevant documentation. 

f)       Coordinating visits of foreign professors and researchers to the university, including planning their lectures and clinical activities in collaboration with relevant faculties, services, and heads of university clinics. 

g)      Preparing the necessary paperwork for students, as well as for administrative and academic staff in foreign languages; 

h)      Coordinating the certification and verification of diplomas and diploma supplements for university graduates and working closely with the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) and other relevant organizations; 

i)       In cooperation with the legal service of the university, participating in drafting contracts, memorandums, and other collaborative acts/agreements; 

j)       Documenting the collaboration acts/agreements signed by the university with international partners and the activities conducted within the framework of cooperation; 

k)      In cooperation with the university's public relations service, disseminate information about international projects, competitions, activities, and opportunities on the university's website. 

The Division of International Students Admission and Services is led by the Head of the Division, who is appointed and dismissed by the Rector; Head of the Division is directly liable/accountable to the Head of the International Relations Department and the Rector of the university. In the absence of the head of the Division, one of the employees of the Division assumes his/her duties in agreement with the Head of the Division, and a corresponding order is issued.

The Division of International Students Admission and Services is dedicated to advancing the goals outlined in the mission and strategy of Tbilisi State Medical University. Specifically, it coordinates the attraction and support of international students to ensure institutional strengthening and the internationalization of the student contingent. To achieve this, the Division of International Students Admission and Services performs the following functions and activities: 

a)   Developing strategies and campaigns for attracting and recruiting international students, collaborating with organizations/agents to attract international students, participating in international fairs/exhibitions and promo tours, and creating/updating marketing materials for the university in cooperation with the University public relations service; 

b)   Preparing initial drafts of relevant agreements with agents and companies that recruit international students in collaboration with the Legal Service and Department of Economics of the University.  

c)      Managing the enrollment of international students in university educational programs; coordinating the enrollment process, preparing relevant documentation for submission to the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement and the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sport of Georgia, and preparing student enrollment orders. 

d)    Supporting international students, monitoring the continuity and efficiency of administrative and academic services, assisting with immigration procedures, accommodation, insurance, and other technical, administrative, and legal services; 

e)      Collaborating with relevant university departments to host events, provide access to information, and encourage cultural and sports integration among international students. 

f)       Creating a unified database of international students, registering the number and status of students recruited under agreements with agents and organizations, and providing the 

university's Economic Department with information about payment obligations to recruiting agencies and organizations. 

1.      Reorganization and liquidation of the department are carried out according to the rules established by Georgia legislation. 

1.      The university's academic council participates in considering the adoption of the department provision and amendments and/or alterations to it and is approved by the representative council. 

2.      This provision becomes effective upon acceptance.