Assistant to the President of the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences,

Full Member of the International Engineering Academy, Laureate of the State Prize,

Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor Tamaz Batsikadze

By the decision of the Council of Presidents of the International Engineering Academy,

For his great contribution to the development of engineering, for his high persistence in the development and implementation of new materials and technologies, for his participation in the development of interstate

scientific and technical ties, and

In connection with the 30th anniversary of the Georgian Engineering Academy

was awarded the Medal "For Engineering Courage."

Working meeting at the Ministry

Meeting of the Minister of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia

with representatives of scientific research institutions

  The Minister of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia, Aleksandre Tsuladze, held a working meeting with representatives of scientific research units and the Academy of Agricultural Sciences.

The participants of the meeting spoke about the ongoing research in their research institutions and the possibilities of their commercialization.

The parties also discussed the challenges in the scientific research field and discussed future plans to overcome them.

At the end of the meeting, the participants planned future meetings to discuss a number of issues in detail.

The working meeting was attended by Deputy Minister of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia, Ana Mghebrishvili, heads of scientific research units and the Academy of Agricultural Sciences, and chairmen of the Scientific Council.

 Outstanding scientist, innovator and inventor

            Giorgi Shkhvatsabaia – 120^th Anniversary 

 On November 12 of this year, the 120 th anniversary of the birth of the outstanding Georgian scientist, full member of the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, one of its founders and first vice-president, corresponding member of the Georgian National Academy of Sciences, the Union and Russian Academies of Agricultural Sciences, Honored Worker of Science and Technology of Georgia, teacher and public figure Giorgi Shkhvatsabaia was celebrated. In this regard, a round table was organized by the Department of Agroengineering Sciences at the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences.

The round table was attended by: Vice-President of the Academy, Academician G. Aleksidze, Chief Academician-Secretary of the Academy, Academician A. Didebulidze, Head of the Academic Department of the Academy, Dr. M. Barvenashvili, Academician-Secretary of the Department of Agroengineering Sciences of the Academy, Academician R. Makharoblidze, Academician J. Katsitadze, Fellow of the Academy, Doctor of Engineering M. Benashvili, Doctors of Engineering Sciences O. Tedoradze and Z. Shkhvatsabaia, Doctor of Engineering T. Tsartsidze.

The round table was opened by Academician-Secretary of the Department of Agroengineering Sciences, Academician Revaz Makharoblidze. He recalled Mr. Giorgi with great warmth and respect. He focused on his scientific activities and personal qualities. It was noted that Academician G. Shkhvatsabaia was not only a great scientist and successful researcher, but he was also an incredibly kind, philanthropic and benevolent person, which further enhanced his personal qualities.

At the round table, his former graduate student, Doctor of Technical Sciences Omar Tedoradze, presented an extensive report on the life and scientific work of Academician G. Shkhvatsabaia. Mr. O. Tedoradze noted that Academician G. Shkhvatsabaia developed a complex of new mechanical measuring devices, namely, traction and rotary dynamographs and work measuring devices, an energy measuring machine, an automatic device for measuring the track made by an arable unit and recording the profile, just to list a few among other innovations. It is important that these devices, due to their simplicity and accuracy, are still successfully used in the study of the traction characteristics of various units.

Academician G. Shkhvatsabaia paid special attention to the role of small mechanization in tea growing. He developed a project for an electrical network for the power supply of hand-operated electric mowing and harvesting machines in tea plantations, and also compiled appropriate instructions for these machines, which were distributed to tea farmers in the form of brochures.

It is noteworthy that Academician G. Shkhvatsabaia was not only a great scientist, but also a successful athlete. He was a good gymnast, captain of the Kutaisi football team “Triumph”, Transcaucasian champion in the 60, 100 and 200 meter races, prize-winner of the Union Championship, the first Georgian champion and record holder in athletics.

At the round table, Academician G. Shkhvatsabaia was remembered by academicians: J. Katsitadze, A. Didebulidze. They spoke about his innovative talent, inventions, attention to and support for the younger generation. Mr. Giorgi was also remembered by the Vice-President of the Academy, Academician G. Aleksidze, who, although he did not know him personally, had heard a lot about Mr. Giorgi as a scientist and an excellent person.

At the end of the round table, Mr. Zurab Shkhvatsabaia, the son of Academician G. Shkhvatsabaia, addressed the audience with a speech of thanks. He expressed his gratitude to each member of the round table for remembering his father and appreciating his contribution. He presented the Academy with a bas-relief of Academician G. Shkhvatsabaia, which was made by his second son, sculptor G. Shkhvatsabaia.

   On November 11 of this year, a solemn session was held at the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, dedicated to the International Science Day. The session was opened with the President of the Academy, Academician Givi Japaridze’s opening speech. It was noted that the International Science Day for Peace and Development is celebrated annually on November 10. Its goal is to once again make the public aware of the great place science occupies in human life. In addition, it is noteworthy that the involvement of the general public is necessary in discussing emerging scientific issues. Establishing a close connection between science and society helps to inform people about developments in the field of science, emphasizes the importance of the role of scientists in expanding society's view of the Earth.

The President of the Academy, Academician G. Japaridze introduced the Academy's activities and structure to the invited guests. He emphasized the role of the Academy in the development and popularization of agricultural sciences. He noted that the Academy has signed memorandums of cooperation with agricultural research and educational institutions, both within the country and abroad. All this establishes close communication between Georgian and foreign agricultural scientists.

At the end of the session, the President of the Academy, Academician G. Japaridze awarded the following persons - the scientists working in the field of Agrarian Sciences - with the honorary diploma of the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences on the occasion of the International Science Day:

1. Associate Professor of the Department of Agro-technology and Agro-engineering of the Faculty of Technology of Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University, Doctor of Agriculture Nodar Beridze - for scientific achievements in the field of fruit growing and viticulture;

2. Consultant of the Department of Livestock and Food Production of the Scientific-Research Center of Agriculture of LEPL Givi Begheluri - for scientific achievements in the field of livestock farming;

3. Head of the Veterinary Testing Laboratory "SANA" of "Chirina" LLC, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine - Tsitsino Sikharulidze - for scientific achievements in the field of veterinary medicine

4. Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Bio-systems Engineering of the Georgian Technical University Associate Professor of the Department of Agro-engineering, Doctor of Technology Khvicha Gotchoshvili - for scientific achievements in the field of agro-engineering;

5. Chief Specialist of the Standards, Certification, Planning and Economic Analysis Service of the Scientific Research Center of Agriculture, Master of Agronomy Ana Devidze - for scientific achievements in the field of agricultural biodiversity protection;

6. Head of the Micro-clonal In-Vitro Plant Propagation and Healthy Planting Material Research Service of the Scientific Research Center of Agriculture, Doctoral Student Tekla Zakalashvili - for scientific achievements in the field of viticulture;

7. Associate Professor of the Faculty of Agriculture of Akaki Tsereteli State University, Doctor of Technology Soso Tavberidze - for scientific achievements in the field of agro-engineering;

8. Head of the Standards, Certification, Planning and Economic Analysis Service of the Scientific Research Center of Agriculture, Senior Specialist of the Planning and Economic Analysis Service, Master of Agronomy Tina Koshadze - for scientific achievements in the field of protection of agricultural biodiversity;

9. Director of the Agricultural School of Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University, Academic Doctor of Agrarian Sciences Mamuka Turmanidze - for scientific achievements in the field of plant protection;

10. Associate Professor of the Agrarian Faculty of Akaki Tsereteli State University, Academic Doctor of Agrarian Sciences Shorena Kapanadze - for scientific achievements in the field of cultivation and maintenance of subtropical crops

11. Associate Professor of the Agrarian Faculty of Akaki Tsereteli State University, Doctor of Agriculture Ramaz Kiladze - for scientific achievements in the field of tourism and landscape architecture

12. - Faculty of Technology of Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University Professor of the Department of Agro-technology and Agro-engineering, Doctor of Agriculture Shota Lamparadze - for scientific achievements in the field of fruit growing and viticulture selection and genetics

13. Professor of the Faculty of Agriculture of Akaki Tsereteli State University, Doctor of Technical Sciences Makvala Pruidze - for scientific achievements in the technology of products of subtropical crops

14. Associate Professor of the Faculty of Agriculture of Akaki Tsereteli State University, Doctor of Agriculture Nino Kipiani - for scientific achievements in the field of selection and genetics of subtropical crops;

15. Professor of the Department of Agro-ecology and Forestry of the Faculty of Technology of Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University, Doctor of Biological Sciences Otar Shainidze - for scientific achievements in the field of plant protection;

16. Chief Specialist of the Standards, Certification, Planning and Economic Analysis Service of the Scientific-Research Center of Agriculture LEPL, Master of Agronomy Mirian Chokheli - for scientific achievements in the field of agricultural biodiversity protection

17. Research Fellow of the Department of Biology of the Institute of Phytopathology and Biodiversity of Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University, Doctor of Agriculture Ramaz Chaghalidze - for scientific achievements in the field of phytopathology and plant biodiversity

18. Department of Agricultural Technologies of the Faculty of Agrarian Sciences and Bio-systems Engineering of the Georgian Technical University Associate Professor, Doctor of Agriculture Avtandil Kharazishvili - for scientific achievements in the field of animal husbandry;

19. Associate Professor of the Department of Agro-ecology and Forestry of the Faculty of Technology of Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University, Doctor of Agriculture Darejan Jashi - for scientific achievements in the field of agro-ecology;

20. Head of the Standards, Certification, Planning and Economic Analysis Service of the Scientific-Research Center of Agriculture of LEPL, Master of Agronomy Tamar Jinjikhadze - for scientific achievements in the field of protection of agricultural biodiversity.