Members of the Georgian executive board for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC) initiative met for the first time on 16 December 2021 and elected a chair of the board. Representatives of fifteen organisations that are participating in the memorandum joined the meeting, which was organised by GRENA, the Georgian Research and Educational Networking Association.

The general objectives of the MoU are to:

  • support development of a national strategic vision for the optimisation of data services in favour of scientific research and innovation;
  • promote the active participation of the Georgian research community in Horizon Europe calls related to the development of EOSC by organising informational activities and training programs;
  • promote the inclusion of other national institutions in the development of the Georgian Open Science Cloud Initiative.

By the decision of the board members, Mr. Zviad Gabisonia was elected as the chairman of the executive board. Mr. Gabisonia was the general director of the Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation of Georgia in the period of 2018-2020 and represented Georgia in the EOSC governance board. Currently he acts as a director of the research centre at the Business and Technology University.

Zviad Gabisonia will contribute to the introduction, development and popularisation of open science principles in Georgia, which will create new opportunities for researchers and develop scientific fields in the country. Mr. Gabisonia in his speech noted:

It is highly important to advance open science practices in Georgia and enlighten the research and educational communities about its advantages.”

Zviad Gabisonia, Business and Technology University, Research Centre, Director & Chair of Georgian EOSC MoU Executive Board
Zviad Gabisonia, ©Zviad Gabisonia

Board members listened to a presentation regarding EOSC by Tamara Gvenetadze of GRENA. GRENA’s Executive Director Ramaz Kvatadze discussed possible activities to be implemented in the near future and noted:

Active participation from the side of Georgian scientists in EOSC will be beneficial for the integration of Georgian scientific potential in the European research area.”

Ramaz Kvatadze, GRENA, Executive Director