12th International Staff Week at TSU (Tbilisi, Georgia)

Global Engagement in Higher Education: Strengthening International Relations and Mobility

The International Relations Department at Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University is pleased to announce its 12th International Staff Week, which will take place in person on May 4–8, 2026, in Tbilisi, Georgia.

This year’s theme, “Global Engagement in Higher Education: Strengthening International Relations and Mobility,” highlights the vital role that universities play in building bridges across cultures, fostering mutual understanding, and promoting academic collaboration in an increasingly interconnected world.

The Staff Week will bring together international relations professionals, academic coordinators, and mobility experts to exchange ideas, share institutional experiences, and explore innovative approaches to strengthening partnerships and mobility opportunities.

Through interactive discussions and workshops, participants will focus on enhancing global cooperation, developing inclusive internationalization strategies, and aligning mobility initiatives with shared European and global values such as diversity, sustainability, and solidarity.

Key topics of discussion and workshops will include:

• Expanding Global Engagement Strategies: Exploring innovative approaches to strengthen institutional presence and visibility in the international academic arena.
• Evolving Models of Academic Mobility: Redefining student and staff mobility through hybrid, short-term, and blended exchange opportunities.
• Building Strategic Partnerships: Developing and maintaining long-term, mutually beneficial collaborations that align with institutional priorities.
• Enhancing International Student and Staff Experience: Best practices in intercultural support, integration, and engagement on campus.
• Internationalization at Home: Creating globally minded learning environments through curriculum design, virtual cooperation, and co-curricular activities.
• Measuring the Impact of Internationalization: Assessing outcomes of global engagement through data-driven approaches and quality assurance mechanisms.

Participants are encouraged to share institutional experiences, present case studies, and showcase innovative solutions to challenges encountered in internationalization efforts. We will delve into:

• Mobility and Partnership Development: How can institutions diversify exchange programs and ensure equitable access for all participants?
• Digital and Hybrid Collaboration: What digital tools and models can enhance cooperation and engagement across borders?
• Intercultural Competence: How can universities better prepare students and staff for intercultural communication and global citizenship?
• Policy and Governance: What institutional structures best support sustainable international relations and mobility initiatives?
• Challenges and Success Stories: What lessons can be learned from overcoming obstacles in international cooperation and mobility management?

Who is it for?

The 12th ISW is open to:

• Administrative staff working in international offices, governance structures, or other departments responsible for global engagement.
• Academic staff, those eligible for Erasmus+ ICM K171 staff teaching mobility.

Priority will be given to representatives from institutions that already have established partnerships with TSU or are interested in developing such cooperation in the future.

Participants will follow tailored tracks based on their profile (administrative vs. academic), and academic staff will have opportunities to engage in teaching sessions if funded through Erasmus+ ICM K171 teaching mobility.

Program

The five-day event will include:

• Plenary sessions, panel discussions, and working groups
• Institutional presentations and case studies
• Networking and matchmaking activities
• Cultural program introducing participants to Georgia’s heritage and cuisine A detailed program will be shared with selected participants.

Funding

TSU does not offer financial support for participation. Interested candidates should consult their home institutions for possible Erasmus+ KA171/KA131 funding.

Please note:

• An Inter-Institutional Agreement (IIA) must be in place for Erasmus+ funding to be utilized.
• Participants from institutions without an existing IIA are welcome to initiate discussions toward establishing one.

Registration & Fees

Registration Deadline: 5 pm Tbilisi time on April 17th, 2026

Application form: https://forms.gle/hFQyrVhAXLDYRkrGA

Participation Fee: €150 (paid exclusively in cash on Monday, October 27th during the registration and welcome session), covering materials, select meals, and social program

Working Language: English (minimum B2 level required)

Please do not make any travel arrangements before receiving the invitation letter from the organizers.

Certificate

A Certificate of Attendance will be awarded to participants completing the full program. We expect all participants to follow the program in its entirety from Monday through Friday; therefore, this event is not suitable for those planning to combine it with visits to other partner universities in Georgia

Group Size: Max. 50 participants (up to 3 per institution)