On October 4, 2023 Tbilisi State Medical University was visited by Shiro Nakata a Senior Education Economist at the World Bank's Education Global Practice, Anna Berdzenadze, Education Specialist at the World Bank and representatives of the Competitive Innovation Fund (CIF) Ana Gomelauri and Nazi Parsadanishvili.

The CIF first grant competition organized within the framework of Competitive Innovation Fund CIF (Georgia I2Q Innovation, Inclusivity and Quality Competitive Innovation Fund) is aimed at targeting specific development of higher education institutions, fostering modernization of higher education programs and learning environment and strengthening the labour market linkages. The competition supports the development and implementation of strategic plans of universities in compliance with the national goals of the Georgian higher education institutions and the state priorities. The first grant competition was announced on November 30, 2023. 14 higher education institutions (8 regional and 7 private) participated in it and 30 grant proposals were submitted. Tbilisi State Medical University project "OSTE stations implementation in Georgian higher educational institutions” won the CIF grant competition. The project has been implemented by Tbilisi State Medical University within the framework of a consortium with the Georgian-American University (GAU).

The guests were hosted by Professor Khatuna Todadze, Vice Rector of TSMU, Professor Gaiane Simonia Head of the Academic Development and Strategic Planning Department, Salome Voronovi, Deputy Head of the Academic Development and Strategic Planning Department and Ekaterine Kvantaliani Chief Specialist of the Academic Development and Strategic Planning Department. Within the framework of the consortium, the guests were also met by Karlo Matitaishvili, Acting Dean of the School of Medicine of the Georgian-American University, Associate Professor Shorena Tukvadze Program Leader at GAU Medical School, George Gabisonia, Vice Dean for Educational Programme Development and Quality Assurance, School of Medicine (GAU) and Ana Chorgolashvili, Head of Research Development and Support Office at Georgian American University.

The goal of the visit was to monitor, evaluate and share experiences on the initial phase of the project. The parties discussed the further development plans and upcoming events, potential partners and dissemination activities of the project outcomes at diverse Georgian higher education institutions. 

The guests visited TSMU Academic Development and Strategic Planning Department where within the framework of the project the trainings are planned to be conducted and TSMU Clinical Skills and Multidisciplinary Simulation Center where OSTE stations are planned to be organized. The guests also visited the newly rehabilitated 2nd campus of TSMU, "Museum of Life Sciences'' and reconstructed classrooms.