The rectors of Tbilisi State Medical University and the University of Bologna have agreed to establish a partnership. Specifically, in the initial phase of collaboration, students and faculty members will participate in an exchange program under the ERASMUS+ framework. In the future, both parties will explore additional opportunities to deepen this partnership.

Professor Irakli Natroshvili, Rector of TSMU, stated: "We are always striving to enhance our international partnerships and collaborations. Thirty percent of our students are international, coming from 84 countries. We aim to expand this even further. Therefore, I welcome this collaboration between our universities. It will be highly beneficial for both sides."

Professor Giovanni Molari, Rector of the University of Bologna, commented: "I am pleased to be here. Our university has 100,000 students and offers 260 programs. Regarding the medical field, we have three major departments, with approximately 600 graduates annually. While our international student population is currently limited, we are eager to increase activity in this area."

The agreement on collaboration was reached during a meeting held at TSMU, led by Professor Giovanni Molari, Rector of the University of Bologna. The Italian delegation also included Professor Raffaella Campaneri, Vice-Rector for International Affairs, and Professor Matteo Vituri. They were received by Professor Irakli Natroshvili, Rector of TSMU, and representatives of the TSMU administration: Alexandre Buachidze, Chancellor, Associate Professor Irina Kapetivadze, Head of the Rector’s Office and Nino Kandelaki, ERASMUS+ Coordinator of TSMU.

The meeting at TSMU was organized by the Georgian Italian Education Center MINERVA, a coordinating organization for Italian education and Italian language instruction, operating under the auspices of the Italian Embassy and the Ministry of Education, Science, and Youth of Georgia. The organization is led by President Giovanni Giacomantonio and Co-President Maia Jijava.