First Minister praises strong links between Newport and Georgia during visit to USW

The University of South Wales (USW) welcomed the First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford, to its Newport Campus yesterday (Thursday 30 November) where he met with students from Georgia.

Vice-Chancellor of USW, Dr Ben Calvert, First Minister Mark Drakeford, Kristine Dzagnidze and Levan Kvinikadze.

The First Minister’s visit acknowledged the University’s links with Georgia, as part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Akaki Tsereteli State University in Kutaisi, which offers scholarships for three students to study a full-time Masters degree at USW. Newport has been twinned with the Georgian city of Kutaisi since 1989.

He met with two students, Kristine Dzagnidze and Levan Kvinikadze, who are studying MA courses in the Professional Learning in Education subject area, based at USW’s Newport Campus, to hear about their time at the University.

Kristine, who is an MA Education (Innovation in Learning and Teaching) student, said: “Benefiting from this scholarship is very important to me as without it, I would not have been able to pursue an education here in Wales. I come from a family of educators, and so studying at USW, which is widely acclaimed for its Teaching courses, is a wonderful opportunity. After graduating I hope to work in the Ministry of Education and Science in Georgia, where I can apply the knowledge and skills I’ve gained during my studies.”

Levan, who is studying on the MA Leadership and Management (Education) programme, added: “I feel privileged to have met the First Minister of Wales today, and am grateful for the opportunity to study with this scholarship, which allows me to concentrate on my education and personal development. I am a mathematician, and I hope to gain international experience, which I can further develop back in my home country.”

Local politicians also attended the First Minister's visit

During his visit, the First Minister also presented a Georgian rugby shirt to the University, which he was gifted during the Rugby World Cup in France earlier this year.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “It was a pleasure to meet Kristine and Levan and learn about their experience of studying at the University of South Wales. Presenting the rugby shirt to them brought back fond memories of the exciting match between Wales and Georgia at the Rugby World Cup and the mutual respect and warmth between the two nations, on and off the pitch.

“Education builds bridges and can help bring nations closer together, even if they are geographically far apart. I look forward to the links between Newport and Kutaisi and the two universities being strengthened even further through the Memorandum of Understanding.”