The University Alliance Ruhr (UA Ruhr) together with Ilia State University invites you to the conference "Sustaining Academic Freedom: Ilia State University and its Academic Partnerships with Germany". The event will take place on July 7 and 8, 2026 at the College for Social Sciences and Humanities of the UA Ruhr in Essen.

Against the backdrop of current political developments in Georgia, the conference is dedicated to the challenges for academic freedom, university autonomy and international academic cooperation. The aim is to promote exchange between German and Georgian partner institutions, to make existing cooperation visible and to develop joint perspectives for future cooperation.

The program includes keynotes, lectures and a high-level panel discussion on academic freedom and current developments in the Georgian higher education sector. In addition, thematic workshops will provide space for exchange on funding opportunities, institutional partnerships, support measures and future cooperation projects in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences and technology.

Date: July 7-8, 2026
Location: UA Ruhr College for Social Sciences and Humanities, Essen

Prior registration is required here.

Further information on the program