The Ministry of Education called on the administration of the Tbilisi State University to complete the ongoing academic year in a hybrid format, following a 14-day-long protest of students against the educational institution’s decision to eliminate the online format of teaching starting May 2.

The intervention comes after the student protest and a statement by the Democracy Research Institute, which said the basis behind the TSU decision to fully switch to in-person studies was “not clear”.

Student protests have frequently been held at the TSU over the last decade, aiming at issues ranging from a lack of the internationally adopted peer review system for its teachers, to use of the Student Self-Government body budget for entertainment events on the backdrop of a perceived lack of funds for translation and printing of academic material, and more.