GAU Mission, Vision, Values, History
GAU's Mission is:
Providing education based on advanced scientific-research and practical-teaching models, leading research and innovative activities. By providing equal opportunities - by strengthening knowledge, skills and universal values and recognizing social responsibility, promoting the development of society and the global integration of the country through the creation, accumulation and sharing of knowledge.
GAU's Vision
In its long-term perspective, GAU takes on the responsibility of creating a tolerant, collaborative and innovative environment where students and faculty can help:
• Contribute to the intellectual, cultural and socio-economic development of our society;
• Creating, storing and transferring knowledge using the main advantages of the University in the educational space;
• Transformation of acquired knowledge into practice and application of skills developed in accordance with the qualifications at all necessary levels;
• Development of professionals with high social and moral responsibility;
• Strengthening universal and national values through and within the framework of expert and research activities, thus encouraging civic cooperation and accountability;
• Ensuring the principles of academic freedom and lifelong learning.
Values
Both the mission statement of the Georgian American University and its activities are generally based on the fundamental values recognized in the Western democratic space. The University deeply believes in the inherent goodness of these values, uses them in its day-to-day activities and cares relentlessly for their protection.
Fairness and Equality - GAU strives to create a non-discriminatory, equal opportunity environment for students, academics and staff to achieve their goals and use their full potential to fulfill the University mission and their own personal well-being. Decisions made by the University are procedurally and in terms of ensuring rights based on the legitimate interests of the parties.
Academic Freedom - Academic freedom as a value is considered by GAU to be the most important and necessary condition for learning, research and erudition. Unwavering protection of this value ensures the right of the academic, scientific and invited staff and students of the University to the opportunity of independent teaching and research.
Involvement - The University ensures maximum involvement of the University community in making appropriate decisions. This creates more opportunities for us to better understand the possibilities of striving for common good and success.
Diversity and Respect - Diversity creates an environment for a University community that is acceptable and comfortable to all, regardless of their individuality. Adhering to these values guarantees diverse and constructive discourse in the University space, which ultimately helps everyone to respect and realize their ideas and perspectives. Beyond diversity, on the other hand, collegial treatment, mutual respect, civilized, open and professional attitude in the process of activity, cooperation and decision-making are important in the activities of the University.
Responsibility and Accountability - Personal and professional responsibility is extremely important in operating the University in response to our actions, powers and responsibilities. The principle of responsibility in the University is based on the existence of an environment of fairness, mutual respect and high organizational culture. The value of accountability in the University is perceived as one of the principles of strengthening academic integrity and good governance. Accountability contributes to the smooth functioning of the institution in terms of both dignity and its mechanisms. Accordingly, the implementation of this principle in University life is accompanied by fair mechanisms of information, monitoring, evaluation and a strong University community of active, active civil and professional members.
Transformability - The University, based on the existing realities of the development of our society and state, expresses its constant readiness to take transformational approaches to teaching, learning, research and innovative activities. The methods used in this area will be based on best practices and flexible, mixed approaches to fulfilling the University's mission and objectives.
Elaboration of the University Project
The Georgian American University (GAU) was established as an MBA project of Elene Jamarjashvili MBA, in 2001, during her study at Atlanta State University (USA). Initially, the university was designed as a School of Law with the graduates to be granted a Juris Doctor (JD) degree.
In Atlanta, Elene Jamarjashvili met Kenneth A. Cutshaw, a prominent lawyer in the United States and Europe. Mr. Cutshaw was sincerely interested in the establishment of the university and agreed to help the university establish a partnership with one of the leading American Law Schools – American University's Washington College of Law (Washington, DC).
At the beginning of 2002, Elene Jamarjashvili returned to Tbilisi and began to refine the business plan and look for suitable investor(s). At that time she met R. Michael Cowgill, the US-funded consultant to the Georgian Government for implementing the Baku-Ceyhan (BTC) and South Caucasus (SCP) pipeline projects. Mr. Cowgill agreed to advise Ms. Jamarjashvili and then become the University President.
Establishment of the Georgian American University
The demand in Tbilisi for a truly western University was so pronounced that despite the fact that at that time there were already two international business schools in operation, the interest in a program offering joint programs in Business and Law was substantial enough to move forward with the opening of a Business School and Law School at the Georgian American University in 2005.
In February 2005, a joint limited liability company of American and Georgian investors was formed. This dedicated group and its Board of Directors established financial and operational management standards which aligned with the strict international, ethical and educational standards necessary. This group of investors possessed a wide array of knowledge and experience such as:
- Experience with the United States, Georgian and International Law;
- Experience with the United States, Georgian and International Business, Banking, Finance and Management sectors;
- Public relations in Georgia and Internationally;
- Experience with the United States, Georgian and International education systems; and
- Experience with the United States government.
Development of the University
From its origin, GAU has experienced many changes, challenges and successes. Where the market so demands, new programs have been introduced, further developing and improving existing programs. The drive for perfection of the educational process as well as the management of the University is instilled in each Founder, Board Member, Faculty and Staff member.
GAU has one of, if not the highest placement rates of its students and graduates in Georgia due in part to the exceptional professional and practical skills developed as well as the concentration of professional English.
In the 2011/2012 academic year, GAU added the International Relations and Diplomacy Program to its Law School, resulting in the name change to the Law and Social Sciences School. In the 2012/2013 academic year, due to the successful performances of both its Business and Law Schools and considering state priorities and market demand, GAU opened the Natural Sciences and Engineering School. In the 2013-14 academic year, GAU added the Liberal Education and Humanitarian Sciences School.
On a regular basis, GAU students are given unique opportunities through internships to work with local organizations. GAU students are also able to participate in foreign university exchange programs.
For the 2012/2013 academic year, GAU moved to a new campus location (10 Merab Aleksidze St.) which was more in line with its high university standards. The 6,000 sq.m. building contains large classrooms, a modern library/computer laboratory, a café, gym and auditoriums. This, together with expansive grounds creates a pleasant and productive academic environment.
