The Georgian government is considering the merger of two of the country’s largest public universities, Tbilisi State University (TSU) and the Georgian Technical University. If approved, the unified institution would become the largest university in Georgia. Parliament has already adopted the first reading of legislative amendments that would allow the Ministry of Education to initiate a reorganization process to combine the two institutions.
According to Education Minister Givi Mikanadze, the decision to merge TSU and Technical University was made following consultations with both universities’ rectors. Meanwhile, the government announced plans to sell a portion of the real estate owned by state universities, while constructing new educational facilities between Tbilisi and Rustavi, where certain faculties might be relocated. This raises the possibility that, after the merger, the state might sell part of TSU’s or GTU’s assets.
Public Registry records show that both universities own tens of thousands of square meters of real estate. TSU directly owns 316,192 square meters of property, including 60,313 square meters on Chavchavadze Avenue, 214,550 square meters on University and Tamarashvili streets, and 11,353 square meters on Beliashvili Street. TSU also holds property in Kutaisi (10,555 sq. m), Kojori (10,100 sq. m), and Rustavi (6,747 sq. m). In December 2025, TSU transferred its 8,335-square-meter 7th Building on Queen Ketevan Avenue to the government free of charge, which later exchanged it with IBSU for property near the airport.
The Technical University’s real estate is concentrated on Kostava Street in Tbilisi, with a total building area of 85,473 square meters. Given the government’s stated intention to reassess and potentially sell parts of state university property, both institutions’ significant real estate holdings may become central to the restructuring process following the merger.
