Harvard’s Davis Center launches Georgian studies, ‘historic’ for Georgia, US

Harvard’s Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies is launching a new program for Georgian studies on the initiative of Georgian PM Irakli Garibashvili which is ‘historic’ both for Georgia and the US, Georgian Education Minister Mikheil Chkhenkeli stated yesterday, during a ceremony dedicated to the event in the US. 

Chkhenkeli said that the programme is ‘unique’ in the history of the US. 

Thanks to the Georgian PM we have witnessed a historic day. The day is also historic for the US because such a program is the first in the county. The program will allow students to closely familiarise themselves with Georgian history, culture, literature and politics. The program will also support scientific-research activities,” Chkhenkeli said.

The programme will be headed by Stephen F. Jones, a professor at Mount Holyoke College and at Georgia’s Ilia State University, while Garibashvili will deliver the first lecture there in February 2022. 

We are very grateful to the Georgian PM for the initiative. The program will allow us to hold many seminars, conferences and to invite Georgian scientists to Harvard campus. Thanks to the program the US will have professionals in Georgian studies,” Jones said.  

Georgian PM, education minister attending an inauguration event of the new programme yesterday. Photo: government of Georgia press office. 

Mark Elliott, Harvard University vice provost of international affairs, said that the Georgian civilisation is one of the oldest in the world and the launch of the program ‘is a privilege’ for the US. 

He stated that ‘it is a historic day for Harvard.’ 

Executive director of the Davis Center, Alexandra M. Vacroux says that the program will offer undergraduate and graduate students better ‘intellectual and physical’ access to Georgia.

The Georgian Education Ministry had allocated $2.3 million for the program to support the research and scholarly exchange, teaching, and outreach. 

The program’s goal is to expand knowledge of Georgian history, culture, literature, and politics by American students.

The program will also fund  research projects of Georgian scholars and visits to Harvard’s campus.