უნივერსიტეტის ღონისძიებების პორტალი

A public lecture by Dr. Piotr Cerynger “Biological diversity in Poland: research and conservation”
2026-05-18 16:00 - 18:00 (Asia/Dubai)
On May 18th, 2026, at 16:00, Dr. Piotr Ceryngier, a professor at the Faculty of Biology and Environmental Sciences, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw, Poland will give a public lecture “Biological diversity in Poland: research and conservation”
Poland is a country in Central Europe characterized by geological and topographical diversity. It is influenced by both an oceanic and a continental climate, and its regions have been transformed to varying degrees by human activity. The lecture aims to give the audience an insight into diversity of landscapes, ecosystems and species found in Poland. Biodiversity related research and conservation measures will also be briefly discussed, and some of the challenges facing nature and biodiversity conservation in Poland will be highlighted.
Dr. Piotr Ceryngier, a professor at the Faculty of Biology and Environmental Sciences, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw, Poland, is a long-standing academic teacher and researcher specializing in the ecology and biogeography of insects. His current research focuses on the faunas of ladybird beetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in several Palaearctic regions, the spread of alien ladybird species in various parts of the world and the potential of natural enemies (parasites, parasitoids, pathogens) to control their numbers.
Location: G106, G.Tsereteli st 1, G building (near Vake Park)
Working language: English

Presentation of Professor Giorgi Gvalia’s Book and Panel Discussion at Ilia State University
2026-05-20 11:00 - 14:00
On 20 May, a presentation of Professor Giorgi Gvalia’s book, “The European Union as a Global Actor: Institutions, Values and Interests”, and a panel discussion will be held in the G106 Conference Hall of Ilia State University. The event is organised within the EU-funded project “Jean Monnet Chair at Iliauni” and by the Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
The event aims to promote academic discussion on the European Union’s global role, European integration, regional security in the South Caucasus, and current geopolitical developments.
The event will begin with participant registration at 10:30. The book presentation will start at 11:00. The book was prepared and published within the framework of the Jean Monnet Chair.
Following the book presentation, a panel discussion will be held with the participation of academic staff in social and political sciences at Ilia State University.
Panel Discussion Participants

Ivane Lomidze — Associate Professor, Sociology;
Zarina Burkadze — Associate Professor, Political Science;
Nino Pavlebishvili — Associate Professor, Political Science;
Giorgi Gvalia — Professor, Politics and International Relations.
Giorgi Odoshashvili- Panel Moderator

The panel discussion will address the following topics: cooperation and political dynamics between the European Union and the South Caucasus; Georgia’s European integration; EU enlargement policy and the South Caucasus; the EU’s role in regional security; the South Caucasus amid contemporary geopolitical changes; the influence of external actors — the United States, Russia, China, Turkey and Iran — in the region; democratisation, human rights and the rule of law; energy security, connectivity and transit corridors; hybrid threats, disinformation and resilience; conflicts and peacebuilding perspectives; youth, education and EU opportunities in the South Caucasus.
Programme

10:30 — Participant registration;
11:00 — Presentation of Professor Giorgi Gvalia’s book “The European Union as a Global Actor: Institutions, Values and Interests”;

Following the book presentation — Panel discussion.
For further information, please contact the organisers at: jeanmonnetchair@iliauni.edu.ge
Time: 20 May
10:30 — Participant registration
11:00 — book presentation
Venue: Ilia State University, Hall G106, G. Tsereteli Exit N 1-3

Student Scientific Conference “The European Union and the South Caucasus: Integration, Security and Regional Transformations”
2026-05-20 13:00 - 14:00
On 20 May, the student scientific conference “The European Union and the South Caucasus: Integration, Security and Regional Transformations” will be held in the G106 Conference Hall of Ilia State University. The conference is organised within the EU-funded project “Jean Monnet Chair at Iliauni” and by the Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
The conference aims to encourage students’ academic research, critical thinking and discussion on European integration, regional security, and ongoing political and geopolitical processes in the South Caucasus.
The student scientific conference will begin at 13:00. Students will present conference papers on the European Union, the South Caucasus, European integration, security and regional transformations.
The conference brings together undergraduate and graduate students from Ilia State University and other authorised higher education institutions in Georgia, representing political science, international relations, European studies and related fields.
Three best student presentations will be selected, and their authors will receive gift vouchers from Ligamus Book House. The best papers will be published as an electronic collection, and participants will receive bilingual certificates.
Programme

13:00 — Student scientific conference.

For further information, please contact the organisers at: jeanmonnetchair@iliauni.edu.ge
Time: May 20, 13:00
Venue: Ilia State University, Hall G106, G. Tsereteli Entrance N 1-3

Cyprus: A Mediterranean Biodiversity Hotspot - Public Lecture by Iris Charalambidou
2026-05-21 15:00 - 17:00
On May 21st, at 15:00, in Room G 106 Ilia State University will host a public lecture by Dr. Iris Charalambidou entitled “Cyprus: A Mediterranean Biodiversity Hotspot.”
During the lecture, Dr. Charalambidou will share insights into the rich and unique biodiversity of Cyprus. Recognized as one of the Mediterranean’s biodiversity hotspots, Cyprus is home to an exceptional number of endemic flora and fauna species. The lecture will focus on the ecological significance of island ecosystems and the importance of their protection in the context of global environmental change.
Dr. Charalambidou is a biologist and ecologist with a BSc in Biology from Greece, an MSc in Ecology from North Wales, and a PhD in Ecology from the Netherlands. Over the past 30 years, she has been actively engaged in biodiversity research and conservation projects across Greece, England, Wales, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Cyprus.
In the early stages of her career, she worked with non-governmental organizations and co-founded four NGOs dedicated to environmental protection and conservation. Since 2010, she has been an academic at University of Nicosia, Cyprus. Dr. Charalambidou’s teaching and research focus on avian ecology, the role of birds as indicators of environmental health, and the impacts of climate change on biodiversity.
Her work has received both local and international recognition. She has appeared in numerous media outlets, participated in seven documentaries, received two international awards, and in 2023 was named a Conservation Hero by Jackson Wild, the United Nations, and CITES.

Presentation of the Project “The Impact of Conflicts on Relations between the South Caucasus and Middle Eastern States” by Mushegh Ghahriyan and Aram Abajyan
2026-05-21 16:00 - 17:00
Annotation
The study of relations between the states of the South Caucasus and the Middle East is both timely and important, shaped by a range of factors including historical developments, regional conflicts, political and economic interests, as well as the expansion and deepening of interstate relations. The project aims to examine how regional conflicts have influenced the formation and evolution of relations between the countries of the South Caucasus and the Middle East. The research project is supported by the Higher Education and Science Committee of MESC RA (Project N 25YR-6A008).
About the Presenters
Mushegh Ghahriyan (Institute for Armenian Studies, Yerevan State University and Institute of Oriental Studies) is the head of the project. He earned his PhD in History in 2016. Mushegh Ghahriyan’s research interests include the modern history and foreign policies of the Arab states, Armenia’s foreign policy, and Armenian–Arab relations. His recent publications include “Building a Broad Partnership: The Evolution of Armenia–UAE Relations” (Contemporary Review of the Middle East, 2025) and “The Independence Referendum in Iraqi Kurdistan: Egypt’s Position and Coverage in Egyptian Online Media” (British Journal of Middle Eastern Studies, 2024).
Aram Abajyan (research fellow, Institute of Oriental Studies) received his PhD from the Faculty of Political Science and Public Administration at Shandong University in 2017. His research interests focus on China’s Middle East policy, the Belt and Road Initiative and its implementation and prospects in the Middle East and the South Caucasus, as well as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Gulf Cooperation Council.
Moderator: George Sanikidze (Project’s foreign consultant)
Working language: English
Time: May 21, 16:00
Location: Ilia State University, 201/202 meeting hall of Building S, Acad. G. Tsereteli Street N3
Attendance is free.

Workshop by Professor Paolo Bernardi “Mitochondria: From Energy Conservation to Disease Pathogenesis and Therapy"
2026-05-25 16:00 - 18:00
25th, 27th and 28th May, 2026 16.00-18.00 Led by Prof. Paolo Bernardi, MD Emeritus Professor, University of Padova (Italy) and Adjunct Professor, New York University
Join us for an advanced workshop exploring the vital role of mitochondria in health and disease. This program bridges the gap between historical bioenergetics and cutting-edge medical research, led by one of the field’s foremost experts.
Program Highlights

Energy Conservation in Bioenergetics: A historical look at how we came to understand cellular power.
War and Peace: How mitochondria integrated into eukaryotic cells and maintained biological harmony.
The Cancer Drama: Analyzing the pivotal role of mitochondrial dysfunction in tumor progression.
Muscular Dystrophies: Investigating mitochondrial pathogenesis and new horizons for therapy.

Who Should Participate?
This workshop is designed for students, researchers, and clinicians eager to deepen their understanding of mitochondrial signaling and its therapeutic implications.
Please pass the registration on link: https://forms.gle/Yr8q725QgRiu4Kmn7

Venue: Room 106, G Building, Ilia State University
Address: Giorgi Tsereteli 1, Tbilisi
Certification: An official Certificate of Attendance will be awarded to all participants upon completion.

The Presentation of the Glaciology Research Centre
2026-05-29 16:00 - 17:00
On May 29, at 16:00, a presentation of the newly established ‘Glaciology Research Centre of Georgia’ will be held in Hall T102 of Ilia State University.
The Glaciology Research Centre will comprehensively study glaciers, cryosphere and climate change-induced processes.
The main goal of the center is the systematic monitoring of glaciers in Georgia and the Caucasus and the assessment of glaciological threats. The center will implement multi-year research programs, international projects, student and doctoral initiatives, as well as high-level scientific events.
The main areas of activity of the center:

Modern glaciological research;
Remote sensing;
Field expeditions;
Geomorphological analysis;
Glacial and climatic modeling.

Today, when climate change significantly accelerates the degradation of glaciers and increases the risk of natural hazards, the creation of such a center is a crucial step towards the sustainable development of both science and the country. The center will contribute to the deepening of international scientific cooperation, the development of young researchers and the integration of Georgia into the global glaciological research space.
The presentation will be led by Levan Tielidze, Associate Professor in Glaciology at Ilia State University. Professor Tielidze is the National Correspondent of the World Glacier Monitoring Service (https://wgms.ch/) and the International Association of Cryospheric Sciences (https://cryosphericsciences.org/) for Georgia. He is also the regional representative of the Global Land Ice Measurements from Space (https://www.glims.org/) for the Caucasus. Professor Tielidze was recently elected to the Council of the International Glaciological Society (https://www.igsoc.org/).
Time: May 29, 16:00
Location: Ilia State University, Hall T102, I. Chavchavadze Ave. N45
Attendance is free.

Public Lectures by Researchers from the Warsaw University of Life Sciences
2026-06-02 15:00 - 17:00
On June 2nd, 2026, at 15:00, Agnieszka Górska and Ewa Majewska, staff of Warsaw University of Life Sciences at the Institute of Food Sciences, Department of Chemistry (Poland) will give public lectures:
1. Definition and classification of carcinogens, carcinogenesis, selected carcinogens in food
This lecture delves into food safety and chemical toxicology. Attendees will explore the biological mechanisms of carcinogenesis (how normal cells transform into cancer cells) and look at how global health bodies classify hazardous substances. The session will highlight specific, naturally occurring or process-induced carcinogens found in common foodstuffs, providing critical insights into how dietary choices and processing methods affect toxicological risk.
2. Definition, classification and properties of herbs
Rooted in organic chemistry and food science, this lecture covers the rich world of botanical components. It will establish a clear framework for defining and categorizing various herbs based on their chemical and botanical profiles. The distinct properties of these plants, with a specific focus on their bioactive compounds, antioxidant potential, and their practical applications in preservation, wellness, and functional food development will be highlighted.
Working language: English
Location: Ilia State University, Hall G106, G. Tsereteli exit N 1-3

Uncanny Remnants: Ruins, Otherness, and Belonging in Northeastern Turkey
2026-06-02 17:00 - 19:00
On 2 June 17:00 PM, Giorgi Cheishvili will deliver an online lecture “Uncanny Remnants: Ruins, Otherness, and Belonging in Northeastern Turkey”, organized by the Anthropology Research Center and the Doctoral Program in Social and Cultural Anthropology at Ilia State University.
Abstract
Anthropological accounts of ruins typically view them as bridges connecting people either to a specific historical era or to a specific absent “other.” But what happens when neither the past era nor the absent people can be identified or definitively named? This presentation centers on the ethnically Georgian Turkish citizens in the northeastern borderlands of Turkey. Rather than static monuments, I treat the church ruins in these villages as active sites that disrupt conventional ideas of time and continuity, resisting the two most common ways of relating to the past — claiming and externalization. I argue that this unresolvable ambiguity gives the ruins an uncanny quality, rendering them spaces that defy both ways of categorization. I demonstrate how these ruins take on a political life by resisting the very histories that local residents recognize as their own. Ultimately, I suggest, by their physical presence, these ruins quietly unsettle not only how the past is viewed, but how people imagine their right to belong to their immediate locality and to the Turkish nation more broadly.
Biography
Giorgi Cheishvili is a social anthropologist and a postdoctoral fellow at Utrecht University. He earned his PhD from the University of Bergen in 2022 and held research fellowships at the University of Oxford in 2023 and 2025. His work focuses on borders and bordering practices, state, territoriality, as well as the relationship between the physical border and social boundaries in the Turkish-Georgian borderland. Currently, as part of the ERC-funded INFRAEMPIRE project, he examines the impact of Turkish-led infrastructural development in Batumi, Georgia. His work explores how infrastructure and geopolitics intertwine in everyday life, shaping future imaginaries and producing new forms of power dynamics.

“Our Room” – Women’s Empowerment, Awareness-Raising, and Collective Care Days at Iliauni
2026-06-08 14:00 - 17:00
On 8 June, “Our Room” – Women’s Empowerment, Awareness-Raising, and Collective Care Days will begin at Ilia State University, organised by the Iliauni Women’s Empowerment Alumni Network.
In an environment where discussions on women’s rights are often hindered by disinformation, stereotypes, and social stigma, “Our Room” aims to create a safe, knowledge-based, and supportive space for conversations on feminist knowledge, women’s historical experiences, practices of care, bodily autonomy, recognising violence, and safety issues.
From 8 to 16 June, four thematic meetings will be held:
8 June, 14:00 – Lecture: “The History of the Women’s Movement in the West and in Georgia”
Speaker: Ekaterine Aghdgomelashvili, women’s rights defender, researcher, and trainer
The lecture-discussion will focus on the historical development of the women’s movement. The aim of the meeting is to dispel the myth that feminism and ideas of women’s equality emerged in Georgia only in the 1990s. Participants will discuss Georgian feminist thought of the 19th–20th centuries, the period of the First Republic, Soviet legacy, and post-Soviet challenges.

9 June, 14:00 – Lecture: “The Image and Symbolism of Women in Ancient Mesopotamian Civilisations”
Speaker: Nona Ghurchumelidze, Master’s student in Assyriology at Tbilisi State University
The speaker will discuss how women were perceived in pre-Greek and pre-Christian Mesopotamian cultures. The audience will be introduced to the image and symbolism of Ishtar, as well as to Enheduanna, the first known author in the history of literature, and her work Hymns to Ishtar.

11 June, 12:00 – Open Session: “Understanding and Responding to IPV”
Facilitator: Salome Shiukashvili, psychologist
The open session will focus on the psychosocial aspects of intimate partner violence. The meeting will include dialogue, discussion of real-life cases, and active audience participation.

16 June, 14:00 – Power Hour Workshop on Women’s Empowerment and Safety
Trainers: Natali Goginashvili and Mzeo Kandelaki, organisation “Pusfusi”
Workshop participants will be introduced to the basic principles of self-defence, body language, use of voice, verbal self-defence, clear expression of personal boundaries, and the body’s automatic responses to danger.

Each meeting will last 2 hours.
Students who attend at least three meetings focused on women’s empowerment and feminist care practices will receive certificate.
The registration deadline is June 5.
Registration form: https://forms.gle/18G1XRaApJXEi2vB6
Working language: Georgian
Dates: 8, 9, 11, and 16 June
Location: Ilia State University, Room S800, Centre for Advanced Studies, 1–3 G. Tsereteli Passage

Public Lecture by PhD Candidate Nea Solander: The Efficacy of EU Democracy Promotion in the European Neighbourhood
2026-06-11 19:00 - 20:00
Ilia State University will host a public lecture by Nea Solander, Researcher and PhD Candidate at Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg, Germany.
In her lecture, titled “The Efficacy of EU Democracy Promotion in the European Neighbourhood,” Nea Solander will present key findings from the Horizon Europe project EMBRACE, which examined the prospects and obstacles facing the European Union’s democracy promotion efforts across its neighbourhood.
Date: June 11
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Venue: Book House Ligamus, I. Chavchavadze Ave. N32
Attendance is free and open to all interested participants.

The Tbilisi Debate on Europe
2026-06-12 15:30 - 17:00
On 12-13 June, the Tbilisi Debate on Europe gathers writers, scholars and journalists to confront urgent questions of freedom, history and democracy. Looking from Georgia, what is at stake for Europe today?
Today, there is hardly any other city in Europe where European values – including democracy, the rule of law and personal freedoms – are more fiercely attacked and at the same time vigorously defended than in Tbilisi. Since 2022, following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Georgia has experienced a constant struggle between authoritarian and democratic forces, where the name and idea of Europe is incessantly invoked and contested.
In this situation, Debates on Europe find it of utmost importance to give a strong sign of solidarity with the individuals and institutions standing up for basic democratic and human rights in Georgia – writers, publishers, journalists, academics, civil society representatives.
From 12 to 13 June, Tbilisi becomes a vantage point for rethinking Europe. Across debates, lectures and encounters, leading thinkers explore history, freedom and the future of the continent – from its often overlooked margins.
In Tbilisi, international professionals will engage in talks with Georgian colleagues. The main aim of the Tbilisi Debate on Europe is to discuss the ideas and values that have forged Europe through a long history and to understand what part Georgia has played – and continues to play – in the European past, present and future.

12 June | Public Discussions at Ilia State University
Welcome Addresses by:

Nino Doborjginidze, Rector, Ilia State University; GE
Zane Rungule, Chargée d’Affaires, EU Delegation to Georgia
Carl Henrik Fredriksson, Programme Director, Debates on Europe; SE/AT

Thinking, Speaking and Writing Under Pressure – Academic Freedom
Keynote Speech by Karl Schlögel “The re-conceptualization of European history and the present moment”
Panel discussion “De-Centering the Story, Re-Writing History”

13 June
The Tbilisi Speech to Europe – Public Speech by Michal Hvorecký at Ilia State University
See the full programme at the link.

Since its inception in 2012, Debates on Europe has been hosted in places where the idea of Europe is at stake. In international discussion forums it addresses the most pressing issues on the European agenda, furthering free and open debate on cultural and social issues. In 2026, Debates on Europe is hosted in Tbilisi.
Organizers and supporters: S. Fischer Foundation, Academy for German Language and Literature, Ilia State University, Leibniz Centre for Literary and Cultural Research, Georgian Book Association, PEN Georgia, Delegation of the European Union to Georgia, the Embassy of Germany in Georgia, Embassy of Sweden in Georgia, SCEEUS, Gottfried Michelmann Foundation, West-Eastern Encounters Foundation, Treuhand, Voxeurop

More details about the debates: Tbilisi 2026 – Debates On Europe

Working languages: Georgian, English
Date: 12-13 June
Venue: Ilia State University, Room B201, 32 Ilia Chavchavadze Avenue
Admission is free.
Please complete the registration form for media accreditation https://forms.gle/EMhSXAeJCjSTizvBA

Panel discussion “Thinking, Speaking and Writing Under Pressure – Academic Freedom”
2026-06-12 15:30 - 17:00
On 12 June, at 19:30, a panel discussion on free speech titled “Thinking, Speaking and Writing Under Pressure – Academic Freedom” will be held in Room B201 at Ilia State University.
Across Europe fundamental democratic freedoms are being undermined. Academic freedom is no exception. Be it economic or political pressure, structural reforms or the primacy of “useable knowledge” over “critical thinking”, schools and universities are under attack. Georgian and international scholars will identify the current threats and their historical background. Are there strategies to defend the academic and educational system?
Moderator: Volker Weichsel (Editor at Osteuropa; DE)
Speakers:
Giga Zedania (Director of the Centre for Advanced Studies, Ilia State University, GE);
Dubravka Stojanović (Professor of History, University of Belgrade, RS);
Zsófia Bán (writer and Associate Professor of Visual Culture at Moholy Nagy University of Art and Design, HU)
See the full programme at the link.
More details about the debates: Tbilisi 2026 – Debates On Europe
Working languages: Georgian, English
Time and date: 12 June, 15.30-17:00
Venue: Ilia State University, Hall B201, 32 Ilia Chavchavadze Avenue
Admission is free.

Keynote Speech by Karl Schlögel "The re-conceptualization of European history and the present moment"
2026-06-12 18:30 - 20:30
On 12 June, at 19:30, in Hall B201 at Ilia State University German historian and recent recipient of the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade, Karl Schlögel will deliver a speech, on how the fall of the Soviet empire but also the Russian wars on Ukraine and Georgia call for a radical re-evaluation and re-conceptualization of European history and the present moment. Not mainly as a reckoning, but to come closer to the truth.
Ilia State University confers an Honorary Doctorate on Karl Schlögel.
Introduction by Nino Doborjginidze, Rector of Ilia State University.
See the full programme at the link.
More details about the debates: Tbilisi 2026 – Debates On Europe
Working languages: Georgian, English
Time and date: 12 June, 18:30
Venue: Ilia State University, Hall B201, 32 Ilia Chavchavadze Avenue
Admission is free.

Panel discussion “De-Centering the Story, Re-Writing History”
2026-06-12 19:30 - 20:30
On 12 June, at 19:30, a panel discussion titled “De-Centering the Story, Re-Writing History” will be held in Room B201 at Ilia State University.

What does de-colonization and re-centering mean for Eastern Europe and the post-Soviet space? In recent years, there is increasing recognition that Russia’s colonial history and its continuing imperial practices must be addressed. A prominent international panel of historians tries to find out how this political and cultural imperialism should be understood and what histories it has erased or pushed to the margins. What happens when the cultures of Eastern Europe are no longer treated as secondary to those of Russia or Western Europe but are instead recognized as essential parts of Europe’s story?
Moderator
Zaal Andronikashvili (literary scholar and author, Leibniz Center for Literary and Cultural Research and Ilia State University; DE/GE)
Speakers
Karl Schlögel (historian, writer and Professor Emeritus of East European History at the European University Viadrina in Frankfurt, Oder; DE);
Peter Englund (historian and writer, member of the Swedish Academy; SE);
Nutsa Batiashvili (Professor of Anthropology and Dean of the Graduate School at the Free University of Tbilisi; GE)
See the full programme at the link.
More details about the debates: Tbilisi 2026 – Debates On Europe
Working languages: Georgian, English
Time and date: 12 June, 19:30-20:30
Venue: Ilia State University, Hall B201, 32 Ilia Chavchavadze Avenue
Admission is free.

The Tbilisi Speech to Europe - Public Speech by Michal Hvorecký at Ilia State University
2026-06-13 19:00 - 20:30
From a rostrum in the capital of Georgia, leading Slovak intellectual Michal Hvorecký addresses a Europe-wide audience. As a novelist and essayist, Hvorecký explores the fragility of democracy and the political fault lines of contemporary Central and Eastern Europe with irony, urgency and historical awareness. In his recent book Dissident, he turns to questions of resistance, civic courage and the meaning of dissent in an increasingly polarized Europe.
Europe is for many – especially viewed from the supposed periphery – not merely a geopolitical actor, but a symbol of freedom, justice and dignity. At the same time, in light of the increasing distance to such an old and crucial partner as the U.S., the threat from Russia and the rise of a new and loud nationalism, Europe is faced with the task of redefining itself. Perhaps Georgia, which has been exposed to imperial threats for centuries and yet has always managed to start afresh, is a place from which Europe can reflect anew on its own path.
One of Central Europe’s most perceptive literary voices reflects on what Europe stands for – and on what will be required to defend it.
See the full programme at the link.
More details about the debates: Tbilisi 2026 – Debates On Europe
Working languages: Georgian, English
Time and date: 13 June, 19:00-20:30
Venue: Ilia State University, Room B201, 32 Ilia Chavchavadze Avenue
Admission is free.

The Blood Donation Day
2026-06-15 11:00 - 16:00
The Blood Donation Day will be held in the buildings A and T of Iliauni on June 15 , it will be organized by the Department of Student Affairs of Ilia State University.
As part of the campaign, the mobile teams of the “Natalia Kvantaliani Central Blood Bank” and “Sicockhle” organizations, staffed by professional, experienced doctors, will offer those who wish to selflessly donate blood and thus show their support for people who need help.
Any person between the ages of 18 and 65 can become a blood donor if:

your weight is 50 kg or more;
you have not been infected with viral hepatitis B and C;
syphilis, tuberculosis;
you are not infected with HIV;
you do not have blood or oncological diseases;
you are not a drug user;
you have not undergone a surgical operation, you have not been vaccinated against tetanus and rabies in the last 1 year;
you have not gotten a tattoo in the last 6 months;
you have not had contact with other people’s blood;
you have not been pregnant in the last 6 months;
the donor must be practically healthy on the day of donation – must not have a fever, runny nose, catarrh, or other flu-like symptoms.

Those who participate in the charity event will receive the following research results free of charge:

Group, rhesus, phenotype
Hepatitis B and C, syphilis, cytomegalovirus and AIDS virus

A person who is going to donate should know the following:

Blood donation is an easy, safe and painless process;
When donating blood, only disposable material is used and the donor is protected from infection;
Donating blood is absolutely safe for health;
Blood donation is recommended in the first half of the day;
It is better to eat lightly and drink sweet tea in the morning on the day of blood donation. You should refrain from taking tobacco and analgesics;
Blood can be donated again after 2 months;

Bring a proof of identity card with you.
Time: 11:00-16:00
Location:
Natalia Kvantaliani Central Blood Bank – Building A of Iliauni. Student space, I. Chavchavadze Ave. N32
“Sicockhle” blood bank – Building T of Iliauni, student space, 45 I. Chavchavadze Avenue

​Exhibition: "Global Entanglements. Germans settlers in Georgia (1817–1941)" Presentation of Ongoing Academic Collaborations Between Ilia State University and Germany
2026-06-15 15:00 - 17:00
On June 15 at 15:00, Ilia State University will host the opening of the exhibition “Global Entanglements: German Settlers in Georgia (1817–1941)” and a presentation of ongoing academic collaborations between Ilia State University and Germany in Hall G106.
The event will be attended by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Germany to Georgia, Mr. Ernst Peter Fischer, alongside representatives of German foundations and agencies.
The project “Global Entanglements: German Settlers in Georgia (1817–1941)” was implemented through the collaboration of the University of Siegen, Ilia State University, the National Archives of Georgia, and the Association for the Protection of German Cultural Heritage in the South Caucasus. The project was funded by the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media of Germany.
Germany is one of Ilia State University’s most important and strategic partners in international cooperation. The university successfully collaborates with numerous German higher education and research institutions through joint and double-degree programmes, research projects, scientific collaborations, and academic mobility. This partnership is actively supported by German foundations and public institutions, including the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service), BMBF (Federal Ministry of Education and Research), GIZ (German Agency for International Cooperation), Volkswagen Foundation, Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, DFG (German Research Foundation), Konrad Adenauer Foundation, Max Weber Foundation, and others.
The strong partnership established over the years has made a significant contribution to the internationalization of Ilia State University and has created a solid foundation for further strengthening cooperation in the fields of education, research, and innovation.
​Event Details
​Time: June 15, 15:00
​Location: Ilia State University, Hall G106, 1-3 G. Tsereteli exit

International workshop “Looking Back and Ahead: Turkey and Georgia in Global History and Modern Turbulent Times”
2026-06-16 11:00 - 16:30
On June 16, an international workshop titled “Looking Back and Ahead: Turkey and Georgia in Global History and Modern Turbulent Times” will be held at the G. Tsereteli Institute of Oriental Studies at Ilia State University, in partnership with Hacettepe University in Ankara. Georgian and Turkish researchers will participate in the workshop.
Annotation
The event aims to deepen academic cooperation between Georgia and Türkiye, promote the exchange of scholarly experience, and encourage academic dialogue on the historical and contemporary challenges. The event is expected to contribute to the development of future academic partnerships and joint research initiatives between Georgian and Turkish scholars.
Working language: English
Time: June 16, 11:00-16:30
Location: Ilia State University, 201/202 meeting hall of Building S, 3, Acad. G. Tsereteli exit
Attendance is free.
AGENDA

History's Revenge: Tsarist and Soviet Legacies in Georgia in the Twenty-First Century
2026-06-16 15:30 - 17:00
Online Event | Zoom | June 16, 2026 | 15:30 PM, Tbilisi Time
History’s Revenge: Tsarist and Soviet Legacies in Georgia in the Twenty-First Century
Keynote Lecture by Prof. Ronald Grigor Suny
The Institute of Social and Cultural Research (Ilia State University) invites you to a public keynote lecture by one of the foremost historians of the Caucasus, the Russian Empire and the Soviet History.
In his keynote lecture Prof. Ronald Suny will examine the imperial effects of tsarism and Soviet “socialism” on the formation of the Georgian nation and the limits on sovereignty and modernity that living in those empires produced.
The lecture is part of the three-day International Workshop “Modernity and Sovereignties in Georgia”, co-convened by the Institute of Social and Cultural Research at Ilia State University, the Institute of Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies, University of California, Berkeley, and the Leibniz Institute for East and Southeast European Studies (IOS Regensburg).

To register, use the Zoom link

The event is co-funded by the Institute of Social and Cultural Research (Ilia State University) and the Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation of Georgia through the Fundamental Research Grant Project “Institutionalizing Modernity in Georgia: At the Juncture of Empire and Periphery.”

Our Current Moment: Three Perspectives from Three Disciplines
2026-06-17 19:00 - 21:00
Public Event | 17 June 2026 | 19:00 Tbilisi Time
Ilia State University, Hall G106, G. Tsereteli Entrance N 1-3
Our Current Moment: Three Perspectives from Three Disciplines
Our current moment is characterized simultaneously by fragmentation and convergence. The international order put into place after 1945 and further integrated after the collapse of the USSR is fracturing. At the same time, authoritarianism is on the rise both in the metropole and in the periphery, threatening democratic participation, intellectual freedom, and the institutional autonomy of the university. As often in its history, Georgia appears at once as a peripheral outlier and as a mirror reflecting and refracting much larger processes.
Literary scholar and Russianist Harsha Ram, anthropologist Florian Mühlfried, and political economist Ia Eradze will address the current moment from three perspectives: their geographical location, their institutional affiliation, and their disciplinary training.
Moderator: Luka Nakhutsrishvili
Working language: English | Questions may be asked in Georgian
The public event is part of the three-day international workshop “Modernity and Sovereignties in Georgia,” co-organized by the Institute of Social and Cultural Research (Ilia State University), the Institute of Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies, University of California, Berkeley, and the Leibniz Institute for East and Southeast European Studies (IOS Regensburg).
The event is co-funded by the Institute of Social and Cultural Research (Ilia State University) and the Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation of Georgia through the Fundamental Research Grant Project “Institutionalizing Modernity in Georgia: At the Juncture of Empire and Periphery.”

Vaclav Havel 90 – Essay Competition Award Ceremony
2026-06-18 19:00 - 20:30
The award ceremony of the Vaclav Havel 90 Essay Writing Competition, organized by The Czech Centre Tbilisi and Ilia State University, with the support of the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Tbilisi and the Václav Havel Library in Prague, will take place on Wednesday, June 18, 2026, from 19:00 to 20:30 at Ilia State University’s Ligamus Bookstore (32 Ilia Chavchavadze Avenue, Tbilisi 0179).
The event will feature distinguished guests including Czech Ambassador Petr Kubernat and Ilia State University Rector Nino Doborjginidze. A short panel discussion with members of the jury will precede the award ceremony.
Agenda:
19:00 – 19:30: Panel discussion with the jury
19:30 – 20:00: Award ceremony led by Czech Ambassador Petr Kubernat and Rector Nino Doborjginidze
20:00 – 20:30: Socializing with wine
The Vaclav Havel 90 Essay Writing Competition marks the 90th anniversary of Václav Havel and celebrates the voices of young writers participating in the competition.

A Public Lecture by Researcher Julia Jiménez Rodríguez "Love, Concubinage, Religion, and Power: The Global Dynamics of Temporary Marriage"
2026-06-25 16:00 - 17:00
On June 25, on the permanent seminar of the G. Tsereteli Institute of Oriental Studies, Julia Jiménez Rodríguez (University of Granada) will deliver a lecture “Love, Concubinage, Religion, and Power: The Global Dynamics of Temporary Marriage”.
Information about the presenter
Julia Jiménez Rodríguez is an MA student in Arabic and Hebrew Culture: al-Ándalus and Contemporary World, at the University of Granada (Spain). She is currently completing a traineeship at the G. Tsereteli Institute of Oriental Studies.
Annotation
The presentation will discuss the unique aspects of the Islamic institution of temporary marriage (Nikāḥ al-mutʿa), its global spread, and its transformation into a political instrument, with a focus on its use in Yemen as a mechanism of conflict and coercion.
Working language: English
Time: June 25, 16:00
Location: Ilia State University, 201/202 meeting hall of Building S, Acad. G. Tsereteli exit N3
Attendance is free.
