The History of University EstablishmentAt the end of 2002, two professors from Tbilisi State University and Georgian Technical University, Giuli Alasania and Manana Sanadze, decided to set up a Centre for American Studies that would offer the MA degree in American Studies. After negotiations with the Rector of Georgian Technical University, Mr. Ramaz Khurodze, it was decided to establish this Centre in GTU.
The aim of the work of the Centre was to study and popularize one of the most successful states of the world, the USA. Later on, similar programs were offered in European studies. According to the wish of the MA students, the programs were developed in a way that made it possible for them to study not only the USA or Europe in general, but also to gain knowledge in the management model of one of various spheres of the social life of the USA or Europe: Business Administration, Public Administration, Management of Culture and Education, etc. In October 2004 the university enrolled 35 Master’s students in these programs.
Further on, the relations between the Centre and the Georgian Technical University evolved as follows: on July 21, 2004 the School of Social Sciences, Ltd, was set up by the Georgian Technical University and private persons Drs. G. Alasania and M. Sanadze.
The School developed quickly. The number of MA students soon exceeded a hundred. The programs were also diversified. Therefore, in the same year, 2004, the partners decided to establish a higher educational institution, a University, on the base of the School of Social Sciences. The School of Social Sciences Ltd was renamed and called Georgian University of Social Sciences.
A team of co-thinkers and highly qualified professors gathered round the co-founders. The devoted work and contribution of the team made it possible to establish a modern university of the XXI century.
The founders of the University developed the University charter handbook, its structure, and its supreme governance body - the Board of Trustees. The first meeting of the Board of Trustees was held on 24.03.2005. Dr Alasania was elected Chairperson of the Board of Trustees. Dr. Sanadze was elected Rector of the University.
In 2004-2005 the administration of the university was presented as follows: Vice-rector – Prof Edward R Raupp, Peace Corpse Volunteer. Prof Raupp has been a successful administrator and a fruitful professor at the university. Prof Raupp has delivered 2-3 courses of lectures each semester; Financial Manager - Konstantine Topuria, Office Manager – Nino Urushadze, Student Registrar – Tsitsi Petriashvili (Lead of the University Library in 2005-2006), IT Manager and Web-designer – Avtandil Prangulashvili; University Foreign Relations and the University Union Manager – American Fulbright Professor Micah Aki (also involved in administrative and professorial activities); Grant Project Manager, Doctor of Law – Prof Giorgi Glonti. From 2005 Prof Glonti headed the newly established School of Law; Student Internships and Employment Manager, Doctor of Law - Prof Marine Meskhishvili, who also headed the Department of Public Policy and Administration for a while. In the same years - 2004-2005, there were the following university professors, at the same time heads of university departments and Master’s program coordinators: Department of Economics and Business – Dr Iveri Kakubava, American Studies – Dr Nugzar Sikharulidze, IT - Dr Sergo Tsiramua, European Studies -Dr. Tsira Chikvaidze, Anthropology- Dr Tina Gudushauri, Culture Management – Ms. Nini Kitovani, Management of Education - Dr Irine Bakhtadze; Media and Mass Communications – Ms Natia Kaladze; International Relations – Dr Korneli Kakachia, Public Health – Ms. Tamar Lobjanidze; Public Policy and Administration – Mr. Davit Gvenetadze; Apart from these people in 2004-2005 lecture courses were delivered by such outstanding Georgian and foreign professors as: Dr Gia Kinkladze, Dr Temur Vardosanidze, Mr Vasil Chkoidze, Dr Nikoloz Makharashvili, Ms Nana Pipia, Dr Vasil Kacharava, Ms Lia Goksadze, Dr Paata Mikadze, Dr Irine Bakhtadze; American professors: Mr John Macedon, Dr Caroline Campbell, etc.
By the end of 2005, there were some changes in the Georgian University School of Social Sciences Ltd., as the founder of the Georgian University of Social Sciences. Changes were enacted in the Civil Code of Georgia and were associated with the ban for the “persons of the civil law” to found private person organizations or to participate in the management of such organizations with the founder status. For this reason, Georgian Technical University left the Georgian University of Social Sciences, Ltd., and through due legal procedure transferred all its rights and obligations to the remaining parties.
In 2005 – 2007 the university grew considerably. Bachelor’s level programs have been added on Master’s programs. The university enrolled its first undergraduate program students – 117 altogether - in September, 2005. In 2007 the total number of students at the university has exceeded 600. In the fall of 2006 the university started its first PhD programs. The first PhD program graduate of the university is Prof Edward R Raupp. The degree was conferred upon him after he had transferred his credits to the university, completed work on his PhD thesis, published it as a book and on November 19, 2006 defended it in front of the UG council.