On June 6, 2012 representatives of Newport –Kutaisi International Association Mrs. Caroline McLachlan and Mr. Derek Butler visited Kutaisi University. That was the second visit of Newport delegation to Kutaisi University. The first one was several months ago when the University hosted Ms. Sonya Fisher, the Chairman of Newport-Kutaisi International Association and Mr. Martin Edwards, the Director of Newport University.
The dearest guests were welcomed by Professor Lela Kelbakiani, the Rector of Kutaisi University who spoke briefly about the profile of the University, the achievements the university gained in the recent years and the future prospects. It turned out that both the Newport-Kutaisi International Association and Kutaisi University counted the same years of existence – around 20 years. The visitors were impressed to hear that the University had got high evaluation in recent authorisation and accreditation conducted by the Ministry of Education of Georgia and the fact that Mrs. Lela Kelbakiani had been authorised to be an expert and member of the Accreditation Board of Ministry of Georgia. It was emphasized that Kutaisi University has close links with some foreign Universities. A great desire was expressed to establish close relationship with a Welsh University of the same profile in the future. The guests and the rector exchanged souvenirs.
The guests were shown around the University. They looked at lecture halls, the Department of Foreign Languages, the Department of International Relations, computer labs and the library. They were accompanied by Rusudan Gvilava, the Head of the Department of Foreign Languages, Associate Professor of Kutaisi University and by the teachers of the same University Eka Vatsadze and Shorena Khukhua. The visitors had an opportunity to listen to the students singing in the University Assembly Hall while rehearsing for the concert to be held the same day. Afterwards they met the University students gathered in the University Conference Hall. Rusudan Gvilava, one of the oldest members of Kutaisi-Newport Association introduced the visitors to the students and emphasized their great contribution to strengthening the links between two sister cities- Newport and Kutaisi. The dialogue between the students and the guests turned out quite informative, open and interesting. In the end Nino Khazaradze, the Vice-Rector, Associate Professor of the University led the guests to the Museum where they got acquainted with the displayed materials depicting the history of Kutaisi University since its foundation up to the present day. Mr. Derek Butler promised to provide the University with a weekly newspaper The Guardian.
The 6th of June, 2012 will be remembered as one of the most remarkable days in Kutaisi University life.
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