Georgia’s College Shake‑Up: A New Path or a Backward Step?

Georgia has rolled out a sweeping plan that will change where students study and which subjects are taught. The government says the move aims to match job needs and spread universities across the country, but critics say it is a step away from Europe and toward Russia. The new rule, called “one faculty, one city, ” means each town can only offer a limited set of courses. The state will decide which disciplines are allowed at the 19 public universities that host more than half of all Georgian students. This means many programs will disappear or be moved, and some schools may close entirely. The most affected is Ilia State University in Tbilisi, a top research centre known for its open thinking and strong ties with European partners. About 90 % of its courses will be cut, and it can only accept a few hundred new students next year instead of the thousands it did before. The university’s leaders fear that its international collaborations and funding will vanish as well.Students, faculty and civil‑society groups are rallying against the reforms. They see it as a threat to free speech and democratic values, especially after a 2024 report by the OSCE warned of “marked democratic backsliding. ” Protesters have joined nightly demonstrations that began after the government halted EU accession talks. The ruling Georgian Dream party, in power since 2012, defends the changes as a way to keep peace and curb political unrest. It argues that universities with political ties have historically been used for propaganda, while opposition parties are accused of stirring up violence. Despite a small victory when the government abandoned a merger of two Tbilisi universities, many young Georgians remain uncertain about their future. Some plan to leave the country if the reforms continue, while others stay to fight for a more open and European‑aligned education system.