The Eastern Partnership (EaP) European School in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi held a graduation ceremony for its first cohort of students earlier today.
A total of 30 students of the class of 2020 have graduated with an International Baccalaureate diploma and will pursue their higher education studies in their home countries, as well as in Europe and the United States.
????Even though it was held via Zoom, this graduation ceremony was a proud moment for 30 students from ???????????????????????????????????????????????? – the 1st cohort of graduates of the #EasternPartnership European School => https://t.co/xBLIAX7yUu. #EU4Youth #strongertogether pic.twitter.com/mkHbuvmjLc
— EU Neighbours (@euneighbours) June 23, 2020
Although the ceremony was held online due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Georgian and foreign dignitaries attended the virtual graduation.
I wish you life full of opportunities to achieve personal, social and professional success and become active citizens of your countries. Education based on core European values will be the most valuable investment in your future,” Georgian Education Minister Mikheil Chkhenkeli said in his address to the graduates.
European Commissioner for Budget and Administration Johannes Hahn also noted that the European Union ‘will definitely continue investing in youth and in their education’.
Fostering new education opportunities to encourage young people is and was my ambition already in the previous mandate as the Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement… So, I am honoured in particular to be with you today because some of the brightest students from the region receive their diploma”, Hahn said.
The EU-funded school offers high-quality education to students from the six EaP countries Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.
As one of the EaP's 20 deliverables for 2020, the school provides students from the EU’s six Eastern partner countries with an innovative academic programme while fostering multicultural exchanges and cooperation.
Delighted to address the 1st graduates of the #EasternPartnership #European School in #Georgia. #EUsupport does not get more practical & life-changing than this! 1/2 pic.twitter.com/HL5RuAIdxN
— Johannes Hahn (@JHahnEU) June 23, 2020
The unique diploma programme offered at the European School combines academic excellence with specialised teaching inspired by the European school system.
Students aged 16 and 17 attend classes in a multilingual and multicultural environment to extend and deepen their knowledge about Europe and the EU, and graduate with an International Baccalaureate diploma in European Studies.