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MEDICAL UNIVERSITY ATTRACTING LARGEST NUMBER OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS IN GEORGIA
The Financial
http://finchannel.com/Main_News/Geo/110147_Medical_University_Attracting_Largest_Numbe r_of_International_Students_in_Georgia/
June 4 2012
Georgia
Written by Madona Gasanova, The FINANCIAL
The FINANCIAL -- Georgian universities accepted a significantly higher
number of international students in the 2011-12 academic year compared
to in previous years.
Tbilisi State Medical University is leading in terms of having the
highest number of international students enrolled at its institution
compared to other universities in Georgia (out of 5,000 students,
1,021 are foreign). Indians, Sri Lankans and Nigerians are dominating
among the nationalities of foreign students. This year University
of Georgia offered its BA programme for 65 applicants in response to
the increasing number of international students.
In the 2009-2010 academic year Georgian universities in total accepted
832 international students. As of May 2011 the number had reached
1,709. The National Statistics Office of Georgia does not have the
exact number of foreign students' numbers for the 2011-12 academic
year. The figures provided by the universities however have shown
that the largest number have been accepted this year.
High utility costs, no part-time jobs and lack of English language
knowledge among citizens are the main problems which foreign students
encounter in Georgia. The majority of them return to their homeland
after graduating.
Nigerian Akinosun Tai Olufemi, 27, came to Georgia five months
ago. He got all his information about Georgia prior to his arrival
from Google. He is in his first year at the American University for
Humanities, in the faculty of International Relations.
"The majority of Africans who have visited Georgia recently have
done so for study purposes. After graduation I am planning to return
to my country and use the skills I have acquired," Olufemi told The
FINANCIAL. He believes that the educational level in Georgia is equal
to international standards.
"The costs of utilities and rent in Georgia are too high. I spend 450
GEL monthly for my apartment. The chance of a non-Georgian-speaking
foreigner finding a job is less than zero. If English were more
dominant then the opportunities for foreigners to find jobs would
increase. These are the major problems that foreigners in Georgia
face," he said.
Kshitij Kumar, 33, is from New Delhi. He is a student at Tbilisi
State Medical University (TSMU). He also found out about TSMU from
the internet. Then he contacted other students who studied here and
after receiving positive feedback decided to come. "People here are
friendly; I see some similarities with Indian culture. Five years ago
when I first came here only a few people could speak English. So the
language barrier was a real problem for me. However in recent times
it has improved."
Kumar shares a flat with three students. Their monthly cost is 500 USD.
"My sister is a student of TSMU so I also came here. I am financed by
my family. In the majority of European countries students are able
to find a part-time job, although such opportunities in Georgia are
not big," Kunal, from New Delhi, told The FINANCIAL.
Tbilisi State Medical University (TSMU) has 5,000 students, out
of which 1,021 are international students. In the 2011-12 academic
year the university accepted the largest number of foreign students,
346 to its different faculties and 47 to its preparatory centre.
"64% are from India, 16% from Sri Lanka, 10% - Turkey and 10% from
other countries. We do not offer financing to international students,
but they do have access to scholarships. Medical and physical medicine
and rehabilitation faculties are most popular with international
students," said Jimi Archvadze, TSMU.
"Its internationally-recognized reputation, and qualified English
language specialists are the main reason why foreigners decide to study
at TSMU. After graduating foreign students return to their homelands,"
he added.
The average tuition fee at TSMU is 2,500-3,000 USD.
The University of Georgia first launched its BA programme for
international students in the 2011-2012 academic year. The approximate
number of its students is 2,500. Sixty-five are international students.
"In the 2011-12 academic year we accepted the first group of foreign
students. All of them are taking their BA degrees. Nursing specialties
are the only BA program offered for foreign students," said Ketevan
Boiko, Head of the International Relations Department at The University
of Georgia.
Nigerian students make up 97% and those from Cameroon - 3%, of foreign
students at UG. The annual tuition fee for foreign students is 1,425
EUR. "At present we are not financing foreign students. Those who can
prove their academic excellence are eligible for scholarships. Besides
the tuition fee, around 500-700 GEL is required for books, and eating
in the cafeteria of the university costs around 5 GEL per day,"
said Boiko.
"Business administration will be offered to international students
in the nearest future," Boiko added.
The International School of Economics at Tbilisi State University
(ISET) offers the only MA programme in Economics. Presently sixty-one
students are studying here, out of which sixteen are international
students.
"Eight students are from Azerbaijan, seven from Armenia and one from
Latvia. We accepted the largest number of international students in
the 2011-12 academic years - sixteen foreign students. Azerbaijani and
Armenian students are dominating among our international students,"
said Sopha Gujabidze, PR Manager at ISET.
ISET offers full tuition fee financing if the student can satisfy
the minimal academic requirements. "We do not have a campus, but
ISET rents apartments for international students. 80% of our foreign
students go on to return to their home countries. ISET's MA programme
in Economics is the only one in the region which is equal to the
standards of Western universities," Gujabidze said.
"100% of our graduates are hired mostly by the public sector. Part
of them continue studying for their PHD degree in leading European
universities. The majority of international students receive full
tuition scholarships," she added.
Ivane Javakhishvili, Tbilisi State University, counts the largest
number of students out of all Georgian universities - 22,000 in total.
There are 233 international students doing their BA degrees and fifty
on MA programmes. Since 2006 the University accepted the largest
number of international students in the 2011-12 academic years -
approximately seventy.
"75% of foreign students choose to study a BA degree and the remaining
25% - their MA. The most popular BA degree faculties among foreign
students are Social and Political Science, and the specialization of
Journalism in Russian. Students of MA programmes most frequently choose
Economics in English. 40% of international students are Russians,
35% Azerbaijani, 15% - Armenian and the remaining 10% - from other
countries," said Nana Mamagulishvili, Head of the Department of
Public Relations.
The tuition fee at TSU is 2,250 GEL for local and international
students. "We issue education grants for foreign students in order
to encourage studying. The Ministry of Science and Education is
also launching the "Presidents scholarship", also for foreigners,"
Mamagulishvili said.
TSU is the only university boasting a campus. It is for 350 students.
"We plan to renovate it in the nearest future. Besides this, we already
have a project of constructing a modern campus," Mamagulishvili added.
Free University of Tbilisi has eight foreign students on its
BA programmes. All of the eight students are ethnic Georgians
citizens of Russia. "We offer an agreement of transitional system
of financing. It involves covering the tuition fee in a four year
term after graduating. This offer is equal for all of our students,
regardless of their citizenship. Ethnic Georgians are motivated to
graduate here and later remain in Georgia. The annual tuition fee for
foreign students is 6,950 GEL," Prof. Dr. Guram Chikovani, Rector at
Free University of Tbilisi , told The FINANCIAL.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
The Financial
http://finchannel.com/Main_News/Geo/110147_Medical_University_Attracting_Largest_Numbe r_of_International_Students_in_Georgia/
June 4 2012
Georgia
Written by Madona Gasanova, The FINANCIAL
The FINANCIAL -- Georgian universities accepted a significantly higher
number of international students in the 2011-12 academic year compared
to in previous years.
Tbilisi State Medical University is leading in terms of having the
highest number of international students enrolled at its institution
compared to other universities in Georgia (out of 5,000 students,
1,021 are foreign). Indians, Sri Lankans and Nigerians are dominating
among the nationalities of foreign students. This year University
of Georgia offered its BA programme for 65 applicants in response to
the increasing number of international students.
In the 2009-2010 academic year Georgian universities in total accepted
832 international students. As of May 2011 the number had reached
1,709. The National Statistics Office of Georgia does not have the
exact number of foreign students' numbers for the 2011-12 academic
year. The figures provided by the universities however have shown
that the largest number have been accepted this year.
High utility costs, no part-time jobs and lack of English language
knowledge among citizens are the main problems which foreign students
encounter in Georgia. The majority of them return to their homeland
after graduating.
Nigerian Akinosun Tai Olufemi, 27, came to Georgia five months
ago. He got all his information about Georgia prior to his arrival
from Google. He is in his first year at the American University for
Humanities, in the faculty of International Relations.
"The majority of Africans who have visited Georgia recently have
done so for study purposes. After graduation I am planning to return
to my country and use the skills I have acquired," Olufemi told The
FINANCIAL. He believes that the educational level in Georgia is equal
to international standards.
"The costs of utilities and rent in Georgia are too high. I spend 450
GEL monthly for my apartment. The chance of a non-Georgian-speaking
foreigner finding a job is less than zero. If English were more
dominant then the opportunities for foreigners to find jobs would
increase. These are the major problems that foreigners in Georgia
face," he said.
Kshitij Kumar, 33, is from New Delhi. He is a student at Tbilisi
State Medical University (TSMU). He also found out about TSMU from
the internet. Then he contacted other students who studied here and
after receiving positive feedback decided to come. "People here are
friendly; I see some similarities with Indian culture. Five years ago
when I first came here only a few people could speak English. So the
language barrier was a real problem for me. However in recent times
it has improved."
Kumar shares a flat with three students. Their monthly cost is 500 USD.
"My sister is a student of TSMU so I also came here. I am financed by
my family. In the majority of European countries students are able
to find a part-time job, although such opportunities in Georgia are
not big," Kunal, from New Delhi, told The FINANCIAL.
Tbilisi State Medical University (TSMU) has 5,000 students, out
of which 1,021 are international students. In the 2011-12 academic
year the university accepted the largest number of foreign students,
346 to its different faculties and 47 to its preparatory centre.
"64% are from India, 16% from Sri Lanka, 10% - Turkey and 10% from
other countries. We do not offer financing to international students,
but they do have access to scholarships. Medical and physical medicine
and rehabilitation faculties are most popular with international
students," said Jimi Archvadze, TSMU.
"Its internationally-recognized reputation, and qualified English
language specialists are the main reason why foreigners decide to study
at TSMU. After graduating foreign students return to their homelands,"
he added.
The average tuition fee at TSMU is 2,500-3,000 USD.
The University of Georgia first launched its BA programme for
international students in the 2011-2012 academic year. The approximate
number of its students is 2,500. Sixty-five are international students.
"In the 2011-12 academic year we accepted the first group of foreign
students. All of them are taking their BA degrees. Nursing specialties
are the only BA program offered for foreign students," said Ketevan
Boiko, Head of the International Relations Department at The University
of Georgia.
Nigerian students make up 97% and those from Cameroon - 3%, of foreign
students at UG. The annual tuition fee for foreign students is 1,425
EUR. "At present we are not financing foreign students. Those who can
prove their academic excellence are eligible for scholarships. Besides
the tuition fee, around 500-700 GEL is required for books, and eating
in the cafeteria of the university costs around 5 GEL per day,"
said Boiko.
"Business administration will be offered to international students
in the nearest future," Boiko added.
The International School of Economics at Tbilisi State University
(ISET) offers the only MA programme in Economics. Presently sixty-one
students are studying here, out of which sixteen are international
students.
"Eight students are from Azerbaijan, seven from Armenia and one from
Latvia. We accepted the largest number of international students in
the 2011-12 academic years - sixteen foreign students. Azerbaijani and
Armenian students are dominating among our international students,"
said Sopha Gujabidze, PR Manager at ISET.
ISET offers full tuition fee financing if the student can satisfy
the minimal academic requirements. "We do not have a campus, but
ISET rents apartments for international students. 80% of our foreign
students go on to return to their home countries. ISET's MA programme
in Economics is the only one in the region which is equal to the
standards of Western universities," Gujabidze said.
"100% of our graduates are hired mostly by the public sector. Part
of them continue studying for their PHD degree in leading European
universities. The majority of international students receive full
tuition scholarships," she added.
Ivane Javakhishvili, Tbilisi State University, counts the largest
number of students out of all Georgian universities - 22,000 in total.
There are 233 international students doing their BA degrees and fifty
on MA programmes. Since 2006 the University accepted the largest
number of international students in the 2011-12 academic years -
approximately seventy.
"75% of foreign students choose to study a BA degree and the remaining
25% - their MA. The most popular BA degree faculties among foreign
students are Social and Political Science, and the specialization of
Journalism in Russian. Students of MA programmes most frequently choose
Economics in English. 40% of international students are Russians,
35% Azerbaijani, 15% - Armenian and the remaining 10% - from other
countries," said Nana Mamagulishvili, Head of the Department of
Public Relations.
The tuition fee at TSU is 2,250 GEL for local and international
students. "We issue education grants for foreign students in order
to encourage studying. The Ministry of Science and Education is
also launching the "Presidents scholarship", also for foreigners,"
Mamagulishvili said.
TSU is the only university boasting a campus. It is for 350 students.
"We plan to renovate it in the nearest future. Besides this, we already
have a project of constructing a modern campus," Mamagulishvili added.
Free University of Tbilisi has eight foreign students on its
BA programmes. All of the eight students are ethnic Georgians
citizens of Russia. "We offer an agreement of transitional system
of financing. It involves covering the tuition fee in a four year
term after graduating. This offer is equal for all of our students,
regardless of their citizenship. Ethnic Georgians are motivated to
graduate here and later remain in Georgia. The annual tuition fee for
foreign students is 6,950 GEL," Prof. Dr. Guram Chikovani, Rector at
Free University of Tbilisi , told The FINANCIAL.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress