Raising the international profile of Georgian ICT
The reorganisation of its research infrastructure is an important challenge for Georgia. In particular, information and communication technology (ICT) is a national priority sector for modernisation. However, Georgia needs help to achieve this aim, which is why the EU-funded 'Re-creation and building of capacities in Georgian ICT research institutes' (GEO-RECAP) project was established. The main goal of GEO-RECAP was to initiate and enhance scientific cooperation between the European Research Area (ERA) and the leading ICT research institutes in Georgia. Through a set of focused activities, the project set out to support the Georgian institutes and improve their international cooperation capacities. The project was designed to provide practical on-the-job training for ICT researchers in order to support a learning–by–doing process. This approach has empowered the Georgian research centres and allowed them to actively integrate into the international research community. Networking sessions, training workshops and a coaching scheme organised by GEO-RECAP enabled Georgian researchers to meet and work with their ICT colleagues from leading European organisations. Following up on the contact opportunities provided by the project, the Georgian researchers and their European counterparts proposed joint ventures and collaboration agreements. These proposals demonstrated the increased potential for future collaboration of the Georgian institutes with the European research community in new joint projects. During GEO-RECAP, strategic developments were also furthered for the Georgian ICT institutes. In the future, these research agendas will have an important impact not only on the institutes concerned but also on other research organisations across Georgia.