A LinkedIn message led to an internship at Shuakhevi hydropower plant for Mano Kvaratskhelia, a 19-year-old Princeton University student. Seeking practical experience, she contacted Adjaristsqali Georgia directly, and the company offered her the opportunity. Kvaratskhelia enrolled at Princeton in 2025 with full funding. After completing her first year, she returned to Georgia and gained practical experience at Shuakhevi HPP.
Every department at the company contributed to the internship, with team members sharing their knowledge and experience.Kvaratskhelia observed operations at the Shuakhevi and Skhalta hydropower plants, Didachara Dam and Chirukhi Weir.
The program covered technical monitoring, automation, electrical and mechanical systems, and international approaches to engineering risk management.
“During the internship, I spent my days with a mentor whose work took him to project sites as well as the office. I found that very interesting. I want my future work to extend beyond sitting in an office,” Kvaratskhelia said.The internship also sparked her interest in studying Georgia’s hydrological data, a subject she hopes to explore through research at Princeton.Gogita Bolkvadze, a civil engineer at Shuakhevi HPP and Kvaratskhelia’s mentor, said direct collaboration between students and specialists is central to the program.
“Students need direct contact with professionals, opportunities to ask technical questions and a clear understanding of what it takes to build a successful career in this sector,” Bolkvadze said.
Satish Bhat, chief executive officer of Adjaristsqali Georgia, highlighted the importance of making engineering career opportunities visible to young women.“When a young woman sees a female engineer leading a technical team or helping manage an energy company, a career in the sector becomes a more visible, attainable and realistic professional choice,” Bhat said.
Kvaratskhelia plans to pursue master’s and doctoral studies. Her long-term goal is to return to Georgia and apply her knowledge to the development of the country’s energy sector.
