Study Visit in Georgia

Sustainable Reconstruction, Innovation in Construction and Vocational Education

From June 9th to 11th, 2026, representatives of our University participated in an international study visit to Georgia, organised within the framework of the REBUILD Project – Capacity Building Program for Sustainable Reconstruction, co-funded by the European Union. The study visit was hosted by the Georgian project partners – College SPECTRI in Tbilisi and Construct2 in western Georgia.

Objectives and Knowledge Exchange

The study visit provided an opportunity to exchange knowledge and good practices in the fields of sustainable reconstruction, vocational education and training (VET), construction safety, digitalisation and heritage restoration.

The program focused particularly on the role of vocational education in preparing qualified professionals for a modern and resilient construction sector. Participants explored how Georgian VET institutions cooperate with employers and industry, integrate practical training into educational programs, and prepare students to respond to the challenges associated with natural disasters and reconstruction.

The visit also highlighted the importance of resilience, preparedness and innovative construction skills in building safer and more sustainable communities. Experiences from Georgia demonstrated how lessons learned from past natural disasters can inform reconstruction strategies, infrastructure development and vocational training.

Key Highlights of the Program:

Vocational Education and Innovation: Participants visited College SPECTRI in Tbilisi and Construct2, exploring modern approaches to vocational training in construction. The program included presentations and demonstrations related to construction safety, emergency response, first aid, surveying technologies, digital construction tools and simulator-based learning environments.
Industry–Education Cooperation: At Construct2, participants learned about the institution's infrastructure, educational capacities and strategic approaches to integrating employers' needs into vocational education. The college operates through a public-private partnership and combines theoretical education with practical training and industry engagement.
Heritage Restoration: The study visit included visits to important cultural heritage sites in western Georgia, including the Gelati Monastery Complex. Participants were introduced to multidisciplinary restoration activities, including stonework processing, fresco restoration, architectural documentation and the work of specialist laboratories.
Reconstruction and Resilience: Participants also visited the Motsameta Monastery Complex, where they examined the results of rehabilitation works and explored documentation related to the reconstruction process. These examples demonstrated how heritage preservation, technical expertise and sustainable reconstruction can be combined in practice.
Learning from Natural Disasters: A key theme of the visit was the relationship between natural disasters, reconstruction and skills development. The Georgian experience illustrated how knowledge gained from previous disasters can contribute to improved preparedness, safer construction practices and more resilient infrastructure.
International Partnership

The Study Visit in Georgia was the third international study visit organised within the REBUILD project, following previous visits to Italy in September 2025 and Moldova in March 2026. The Georgia visit brought together representatives of the international consortium for further knowledge exchange, practical learning and cooperation.

The REBUILD consortium brings together institutions from Italy, Austria, Poland, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, combining expertise in vocational education, construction, architecture, sustainable development and international cooperation.

Through the Georgia study visit, partners strengthened their understanding of innovative VET practices and sustainable reconstruction while identifying approaches that can contribute to the development of future training program and the REBUILD digital learning resources