On September 12, 2024, Professor Ulrich Martin and Dr. Gaby Froriep, PhD Program Regenerative Sciences from Hannover Medical School visited Tbilisi State Medical University. The professors are coordinators of the international partnership project "Preparing Georgian students of medicine and biology for a scientific career in life sciences and medicine," funded by the DAAD-SDG Foundation.

Within the framework of the 2-day visit (February 19-20), Professor Ulrich Martin delivered two lectures on molecular biology methods, covering traditional, modern, and future approaches in recombinant DNA technologies. TSMU students who had completed the elective course “Preparation for a Scientific Career” in 2024 and were preparing for the 2025 LISA Summer Academy Internship at the Hannover Medical School attended the lectures.

The lectures were also attended by representatives of the TSMU Departments of Immunology, Molecular and Medical Genetics, as well as interested students and researchers.

On the first day of the visit interviews for new applicants to the elective course “Preparation for a Scientific Career” was organized. In 2025, eleven students from the eighth semester of the Georgian-language MD program will participate in the course to prepare for the 2026 LISA Summer Academy Internship and their individual research projects. Additionally, Students from the 7th and 10th semesters voluntarily registered for the course.

On the second day of the visit, the guests met the project coordination group: Professor Khatuna Todadze, Professor Tinatin Chikovani, Professor Tinatin Tkemaladze, Associate Professor Nona Janikashvili, Associate Professor Eka Kvaratskhelia, TSMU Visiting lecturer Ketevan Mekvabidze and Deputy Head of the TSMU Financial Department Vakhtang Beroshvili.

Associate Professor Nona Janikashvili, the project manager, presented a report on the ongoing activities, achievements and future objectives. International coordinators positively evaluated the progress of the project. The parties also discussed the opportunities of strengthening international collaboration and support for TSMU students and graduates.

The international project of the DAAD-SDG Foundation “Preparing Georgian students of medicine and biology for a scientific career in life sciences and medicine” has been implemented in partnership with Tbilisi State Medical University since January 2024.