Tbilinomics Policy Advisors is partnering with the Education Policy Research Association (EPRA) to deliver an online university ranking platform for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) programs at Georgian universities. This project aims to bring transparency and accountability to the higher education sector by facilitating the adoption of a new tool for university choice decisions. In the initial phase, Tbilinomics and EPRA, in consultation with stakeholders, will develop a multidimensional ranking methodology, similar to the one used by U-Multirank, but tailored to the Georgian higher education sector context. The main phase will consist of data gathering and development of a web-based platform. For more information about this project contact Eric Livny.

The first workshop and stakeholder consultation meeting concerning the launch of the Georgian Education CHOice platform (ECHO) was held on June 4, 2019. Hosted by Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, this event brought together more than 30 participants, including members of the Tbilinomics-EPRA team, international experts, representatives of Georgian universities, government agencies, donor organizations, international financial institutions and Georgian employers.

Two of Europe’s leading education policy institutions contributed to the discussion. Frank Ziegele (Center for Higher Education) and Hans Vossensteyn (Center for Higher Education Policy Studies, University of Twente) presented the German and Dutch experience in informing students’ educational choices and assessing the quality of higher education in their respective countries. EPRA’s Natia Anghuladze shared the results of focus group discussions held with students in STEM programs at Ilia State University, Tbilisi State University and Batumi State University. Tbilinomics founder and president Eric Livny moderated the discussion.

We wish to thank the Gudavadze-Patarkatsishvili Foundation for supporting this important initiative.