Tbilisi State Medical University was visited by Professor Wolfgang Fleischhacker, President of the Medical University of Innsbruck (Austria) and Professor Christine Bandtlow, Executive Vice President for Research and International Relations of the Medical University of Innsbruck (Austria) to attend the solemn event dedicated to the beginning of new 2023/2024 academic year. The Austrian guests congratulated the students and academic staff of TSMU on the beginning of the academic year and wished them success.
Within the framework of the visit, the Austrian professors visited the reconstructed 2nd campus of TSMU, Clinical Skills and Multidisciplinary Simulation Center and Ken Walker Medical Rehabilitation University Clinic. The guests met Assoc. Prof. Eka Ekaladze, Director of American MD Program and Prof. Archil Undilashvili, Director of Educational Programs of Emory University School of Medicine (Atlanta, USA) and Head of the Department of Physical Rehabilitation Policy and Strategic Management of TSMU. The Austrian professors were interested in the US MD educational program.
The delegation also met Prof. Zurab Vadachkoria Rector of TSMU, Prof. Khatuna Todadze Vice Rector of TSMU and Assoc. Prof. Irina Kapetivadze Head of Rector’s Office.
Tbilisi State Medical University has a long-term tradition of cooperation with the Medical University of Innsbruck. Furthermore, TSMU successfully cooperates with the Western Educational Center of Tyrol Clinic Association (AZW). The contribution of Dr. Irma Kvitsaridze, Honorary Doctor of TSMU, Senior Doctor at Radiation Therapy and Radiooncology Center of the Medical University of Innsbruck in establishing partnership between Tbilisi State Medical University and the Medical University of Innsbruck is invaluable. Dr. Irma Kvitsaridze frequently visits TSMU with her colleagues, delivers lectures for students and residents, organizes seminars and master classes. Due to her hard work the exchange program named after Professor Manana Kutelia gives TSMU students, residents and academic staff the opportunity to undergo internship in the clinics of Medical University of Innsbruck. More than 120 Georgian students and doctors have already undergone internship in the clinics of Medical University of Innsbruck so far. Moreover, Austrian students are also given the opportunity to plan their internship at Tbilisi State Medical University. Despite the pandemic, 22 Austrian students have already visited the TSMU clinical departments since 2020. By 2024, the applications of eight students of the Medical University of Innsbruck have been accepted in the clinical departments of TSMU. Furthermore, since 2012 TSMU has successfully implemented a program including international professors’ visits at Tbilisi State Medical University. More than 600 professors have already visited (including Austrian professors) TSMU.
