About us
In May 2019 AMEE International Networking Centre was opened in Georgia, based within Tbilisi State Medical University. The Association for Medical Education in Europe (AMEE) is a worldwide organization with members in 90 countries on five continents, bringing together higher education institutions, national associations and other international organizations, including the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) and the World Health Organization (WHO). There are currently three AMEE International Networking Centers worldwide, including one in Georgia. Tbilisi State Medical University has been selected for its active cooperation with AMEE, modernization of medical education, introduction of modern methodologies of teaching, learning and assessment and successful participation in international educational projects.
The aim of AMEE International Networking Centre in Georgia is to share modern methodology in medical education, to deliver ESME courses and to provide higher education institutions and their academic and administrative staff, medical education experts and other stakeholders with relevant information and materials.
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Opening Ceremony
On May 23, 2019 an AMEE International Networking Center in Georgia was founded at Tbilisi State Medical University (TSMU). The opening ceremony was attended by Mamuka Bakhtadze, the Prime Minister of Georgia, Mikheil Batiashvili, the Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia and other executive and legislative bodies of Georgian Government. Rectors from various Georgian Medical Universities, TSMU vice-rectors, deans, administrative and academic staff and participants of ESME courses were also invited at the event. The ceremony was opened by Professor Zurab Vadachkoria, Rector of Tbilisi State Medical University. Prof. Vadachkoria noted, “Georgia has become the International Center for Medical Education and it is one of the most important events on the way to integration to European Higher Education Area. As Tbilisi State Medical University is internationally recognized, successful Higher Education Institution oriented to implementation of modern teaching and learning methods in medical education, AMEE made decision to establish the third, South-East European Regional Center in Georgia, at TSMU”.
From 2000 TSMU actively cooperates with AMEE in the field of development new approaches to curriculum planning and teaching methods, publishing joint research articles and participation in annual conferences and workshops. TSMU was also a member of MEDINE-Thematic Network aimed to harmonize medical education with Bologna Process, implemented one of the most successful TEMPUS projects, “Modernizing Undergraduate Medical Education in EU Eastern Neighboring Area” (MUMEENA), developed innovative medical educational model in Georgia, Azerbaijan and Ukraine. Establishment of AMEE International Networking Center at TSMU will enhance partnership with the world leaders in medical education and widen international recognition of TSMU where nearly 2300 international students study from 68 countries. The main goal of the AMEE International Networking Center in Georgia is sharing modern methodologies in medical education and delivering professional trainings to academic and administrative staff and medical experts. It is the second opportunity for Georgia to become a Regional International Hub in Medical Education. The first recognition of Georgian Medical Education was initiated in November 2018, when the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement of Georgia was granted with a status of Accreditation Agency by the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME).
The Prime Minister of Georgia talked about international recognition of Georgian Education and emphasized the importance of opening the AMEE Center for further development of Medical Education in Georgia. Mikheil Batiashvili, the Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia and Professor Trevor Gibbs, AMEE Committee Member and WFME Consultant in Medical Education addressed the audience. During the event video of Professor Ronald Harden, the General Secretary of AMEE was shown. At the end of the ceremony MOU was signed between two institutions (TSMU and AMEE).
A five-day training course started on May 20, led by Professor Trevor Gibbs, AMEE Committee Member and WFME Consultant in Medical Education. After completion of four ESME full-time courses, participants will be awarded with Internationally Recognized Certificate of Specialist in Medical Education. Training courses in Assessment Methods, Clinical Teaching, Simulation-based Healthcare Instructions, Educational Leadership, and Management will be organized in the nearest future. Journal “Medical Teacher” will be published in the Georgian language.
Read More about Opening Ceremony
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ESME course
The first 5-day ESME course - “Essential Skills in Medical Education”- was successfully held in
May 2019 after the opening ceremony. The training was delivered by Prof. Trevor Gibbs.
47 medical professionals attended the course, 28 of them were TSMU academic staff and 19 from other Georgian Higher Education Institutions: Tbilisi State University, Ilia State University, Tbilisi Open University, Tbilisi Medical Academy, Georgian American University, European University, Akaki Tsereteli State University, Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University, BAU International University Batumi, Caucasus International University, National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement. After submitting the course assignment only 40 successful participants were awarded the ESME Certificate in Medical Education on completion of the ESME Course and Report.
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ESMEA course
The 5 day course ESMEA- “Essential Skills in Medical Education - Assessment” was
held in October 2019. The training was delivered by Prof. Trevor Gibbs, the President of AMEE.
40 medical professionals from various Georgian Universities participated in the training,
22 of them were TSMU academic staff and 18 from other Universities: Tbilisi State University, Ilia
State University, Tbilisi Open University, Tbilisi Medical Academy, Georgian American University, European University, Akaki Tsereteli State University, BAU International University Batumi, and Caucasus International University.
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RESME – Research Essential Skills in Medical Education
In October 2020 RESME online course -“Research Skills in Medical Education” was conducted by professor David Taylor. 28 participants attended the RESME course, among them 17 were Tbilisi State Medical University (TSMU) professors and 11 -from other 7 Georgian medical schools: Tbilisi State University, Tbilisi Medical Academy, Georgian-American University, European University, Akaki Tsereteli State University, Bau Batumi International University.
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ESMEET - Essential Skills in Medical Education Evaluating the Teacher
In October 2020 Essential Skills in Medical Education Evaluating the Teacher course was conducted online and was led by professor David Taylor. Course was attended by 19 participants; of them 12 were TSMU faculty and 7-from 4 other Georgian medical schools: Georgian-American University, Ilia State University, Tbilisi Open University, and Tbilisi Medical Academy.
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ESME - Essential Skills in Medical Education
Due to high interest and demand the new cycle of ESME courses was launched in November 2020. ESME basic course was led by AMEE President, Professor Trevor Gibbs The course was attended by 29 participants; among them 26 were TSMU professors and 3 from other medical schools: Grigol Robakidze University, Bau Batumi International University, Teaching University Geomedi.
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ESME basic courses 2021
Due to high interest and demand 2 ESME basic courses were conducted in May 2021. Courses were led by AMEE President, Professor Trevor Gibbs and Professor David Taylor. Representatives of the Azerbaijan Medical University attended the courses, that significantly enhance the internationalization process of AMEE Georgian Networking Center. The courses were attended by 44 participants; among them 34 were TSMU professors and 10 from other institutions: Ilia State University, Tbilisi Open University, SEU, Azerbaijan Medical University
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ESMEA, RESME, ESME –EtT Courses 2021
In September 2021 ESMEA course- “Essential Skills in Medical Education - Assessment” was held. The training was delivered by Prof. Trevor Gibbs, the President of AMEE.
In October 2021 were held following courses: RESME course -“Research Skills in Medical Education” and ESME-EtT “Essential Skills in Medical Education Evaluating the Teacher”, both courses were led by Professor David Taylor.
All three courses were attended by 72 participants; among them 48were TSMU professors and 24 from other institutions: Tbilisi State University, Ilia State University, Georgian-American University, Tbilisi Medical Academy, European University, Tbilisi Open University, Georgian National University, Akaki Tsereteli State University, Bau Batumi International University.
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ESME Leadership Course
In December 2021, the ESME Leadership Course was conducted online. Course provides an introduction to key aspects of leadership and management for healthcare educators who wish to develop a deeper understanding of leadership and management theory and gain an evidence base to help them become more effective leaders. Course was led by Professor Judy McKimm (for the last ten years she has been Director of ASME’s and AMEE’s international Educational Leadership programmes) and Paul Jones.
28 participants attended the course; among them 15were TSMU professors and 13from other institutions: Tbilisi State University, Georgian-American University, Tbilisi Medical Academy, Akaki Tsereteli State University.
ESME Leadership Course
In June 2022, the second consecutive ESME Leadership Course was held online.
The training was led by medical education professors Judy McKim, who has been AMEE's director of international leadership education programs for ten years, and Paul Jones.
28 participants attended the course; among them, 14 were TSMU professors and 14 were representatives of other institutions: Tbilisi Medical Academy, BAU Batumi International University, Geomedi University, Alte University.
The course was also attended by the representatives of neighboring countries from the Azerbaijan Medical University and the Yerevan State Medical University, which is an indicator of the increasing awareness and internationalization of the center.
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Since the center was established in 2019, about 200 representatives of 18 Higher Education Institutions of Georgia, Azerbaijan and Yerevan have completed ESME courses.
43 participants already gained the AMEE Specialist Certificate in Medical Education, among them 26 are TSMU representatives.
Forthcoming courses: 4 ESME courses are scheduled for 2022.
For registration and additional questions please contact us:
Head of the Center Gaiane Simonia g.simonia@tsmu.edu
Co-Head Salome Voronovi s.voronovi@tsmu.edu