On May 23-27, 2022, in the framework of the Erasmus + CBHE “Establishment of Psychological Counseling Centers in Georgian Higher Education Institutions for Students” E-PSY (617980-EPP-1-2020-1-GE-EPPKA2-CBHE-SP), representatives of partner universities, Tbilisi CIS and the Italian Center for Human Skills, Strategy and Capacity Building (STePS) paid a working visit to the University of Economics in Bydgoszcz (Poland). The meetings were attended by the Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Georgia, Ms. Nunu Mitskevich and the Head of the Higher Education Division at the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia, Ms. Maia Shukhoshvili.

On the first day of the visit, the Project Coordinator, Prof. Indira Dzagania, the Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Georgia, Ms. Nunu Mitskevich, and the Head of the Higher Education Division at the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia, Ms. Maia Shukhoshvili, met with the President of the University of Economics in Bydgoszcz, Mr. Christoph Sikora. The conversation focused on the relations between the two countries, the fruitful cooperation between the universities for many years, both in the field of exchange programs and projects. The President expressed his content with the participation in such an important project as the Erasmus + CBHE “Establishment of Psychological Counseling Centers in Georgian Higher Education Institutions for Students”.

Ms. Dzagania and Mr. Sikora thanked the representatives of the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia for their support and assistance. Ms. Nunu Mickiewicz expressed her content with the successful partnership and progress of the project with higher education institutions in Georgia and Poland, including Sokhumi State University and University of Economics in Bydgoszcz.

Georgian partners visited the medical and social service centers and various sensory rooms of the university. Professors of the University of Economics in Bydgoszcz, psychologists Roberto Lux, Eva Kainievska and Magdanela Bergman introduced Georgian delegation with the infrastructure and working principles of the centers. Jasek Gospodarski presented the latest simulation equipment for people with psychological dementia. Various types of activities were conducted.

During the visit, a meeting was held with the Mayor of Bydgoszcz, the Governor of Chelmno and the representatives of the local self-government of Torun.

On behalf of Sokhumi State University, the Honorary Diploma was awarded to the Chancellor of the University of Economics in Bydgoszcz, Philip Sikora for the long-term successful partnership between Sokhumi State University and the University of Economics in Bydgoszcz, his contribution to education and Georgian-Polish relations and special contribution to the successful implementation of the partnership and Erasmus + CBHE project “Establishment of Psychological Counseling Centers in Georgian Higher Education Institutions for Students”.

With the support of SSU, Memoranda of Understanding were signed between University of Economics in Bydgoszcz and the Georgian universities participating in the project.

The visit, the main purpose of which was to share international experience, was a success, for which the members of the consortium thanked the University of Economics in Bydgoszcz and in particular - the coordinator from the Polish side, Professor Irena Kudlinska.