Honorary Professorship from University in Newport’s Twin City

A Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University of Wales, Newport has been awarded an honorary professorship at Kutaisi State University (KSU)  in Georgia. Geoff Edge, whose responsibilities include regional development, had the honorary title conferred on him to mark his contribution to a number of innovative developments and the promotion of links between the two universities.

'I am very pleased and absolutely delighted to accept this Honorary Professorship from Kutaisi State University,” said Mr Edge (pictured right) . “The University here at Newport has links with many universities overseas, in Europe and beyond, but Kutaisi State University has a special place because it is located in Newport's twin city in Georgia.

“University staff at Newport have been involved with KSU for over six years, since we had an EU sponsored project to help them develop their future strategy. The standard of teaching, learning and research is very high at KSU and the next stage in their development will be to introduce more curriculum, systems and processes based on the models used in the major European universities.

“We will continue to give KSU support where possible to help them achieve their goal of becoming a premier university in Europe.”         

The Mayor of Newport, Councillor Ken Critchley said, "I am delighted for Geoff to have this honour conferred upon him and it is a measure of the man and the many good works he has done in relation to Kutaisi. We look forward to further enhancing and strengthening links with our twin city.”

Bernard Tyson, Chair of the Newport Kutaisi Association commented, “The association is very pleased to hear that Geoff Edge has been awarded an honorary professorship at Kutaisi State University. We know that for many years Geoff has played an active part in the twinning between Newport and our sister city of Kutaisi in Georgia, and this award is a welcome recognition of his work.”

University of Wales Newport

Dear Mr. Edge          

I am honoured to greet you on behalf of the new administration of Kutaisi State University. 

We are all well aware that your solid expertise and advice have played a great role in the positive development of this university. It is to your credit that it now has the department for foreign relations which you helped to establish in 1998-2000.

By the initiative of the English Studies Department and the Kutaisi-Newport International Association headed by Prof. Madonna Megrelishvili the University Academic Board elected you – Honorary Professor for your great contribution and commitment to forging links between our universities.

Please accept my sincerest congratulations and most heartfelt good wishes.

Thank you very much for all you have done for Kutaisi State University.

Hope for our future fruitful cooperation.

Sincerely yours

Professor Giorgi Oniani

Rector, Kutaisi State University