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Telavi Intellectuals Express Solidarity towards “Hooligan” Professors and Academicians

June 23, 2006

      Telavi Intellectuals Express Solidarity towards “Hooligan” Professors and Academicians

         

“A government that provokes confrontation between professors, academics and the police will never form a democratic country” – state lecturers from the Iakob Gogebashvili Telavi State University. They show solidarity towards their colleagues - teachers and lecturers forced to leave the Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University building who were labeled “hooligans” by the Ministry of Education. Telavi University lecturers blame the government for what happened and say that the government does not express any concern for society.


The lecturers from Telavi State University, along with the local government, criticize the Minister of Education - Kakha Lomaia. Teimuraz Vakhtangishvili, a Professor at Telavi University, thinks that the ongoing events at Tbilisi State University are an embarrassment. He believes that responsibility must be placed on the government for the abuse of lecturers.

“I firmly hold the government responsible for the events taking place over the last few days. It is absolutely inadmissible to disperse lecturers with such ruthless methods and roughness to force them to leave the University building”, announced Teimuraz Vakhtangishvili.

Valerian Elanidze, Professor at the Telavi State University, expressed his concern about the actions against the lecturers at Tbilisi University. He alleges that the situation within the country is getting worse: “We are completely demolishing the old education system, whilst at the same time we do not have ability to create a new one. Things are worsening. The events taking place at the State University during this time are unacceptable and embarrassing. I am thoroughly disgusted by these events…”

John Jijeishvili, a lecturer at Telavi University, is uncompromising and firm in his attitude towards the government and the Ministry of Education. “Intellectuals have never been respected and valued properly by any of the governments. But what makes things worse is that the present government is has shown the most disrespect towards intellectuals… conscience is vanishing in this country,” says Jijeishvili.

He went on to talk about Minister Lomaia’s professional qualifications, “It would be better for him to take a look at his own diploma before daring to speak about other researchers’ diplomas. Everyone should be made aware that he has never taught and never even written a single thesis. What can he do for educational development? How dare he call those professors and academics that are older than he is ‘hooligans’ and have nothing to say about merit and hard work at the University…”

“What help can it be in this vulnerable situation when the Minister of Education labels outstanding scientists as ‘hooligans…!’” states Professor Eladze.
The Telavi intelligentsia expresses concern about this general, ongoing trend in Georgia. John Jijeishvili blames the government for establishing an authoritative regime within the country and declares that the events observed at the Tbilisi State University are a reflection of current events in Georgia: “I am neither in need of street arrangements nor fountains. Starving people will not be fed with fountains. The government of Georgia is only focused on showing-off its powers and pretending that everything is in order by arranging effective sightseeing tours for people. The state of public opinion is no surprise. They do whatever they want and if anyone confronts them, they are threatened by the well-equipped police.”


Veriko Kobiashvili from Telavi

 

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