Faculty Development

2025-03-10

The Faculty Development Department organized a week-long training program at TMA to promote the professional development of academic and invited lecturers.

The first training session focused on a reflection activity, which is conducted every semester among the portfolio mentors. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the challenges related to the portfolio system and share experiences. Within the framework of the training, the mentors used a specifically designed self-reflection form and assessed their understanding of the role of the portfolio in TMA’s educational program and evaluated the quality of feedback provided to students. The participants of the meeting also explored  various scientific studies published in the field of mentoring. Nanuka Tsiklauri and Mariam Gugushvili presented and discussed with the audience one of the articles “How do mentors perceive and perform their role in a reflection-based mentoring programme for medical students?” (Ghent University, International Journal of Medical Education. 2024. October).

Sharing experiences—The meeting opened with Gela Beselia, a professor at Tbilisi Medical Academy, presenting the topic “Neurobiological Mechanisms of Memory” to an audience of physiology course lecturers. The audience also discussed the importance of such meetings, where the topics will be presented by the expert from the field. 

Within the framework of the training week, one of the meetings was dedicated to the maximum use of the capabilities of the Anatomage. The training was attended by the anatomy course lecturers  with the goal of introducing the unique possibilities of using the anatomical table and include them in the educational process.

Assessment in medical education, how to create an MCQ test - The training was led by the coordinators of the examination center - Vakho Deisadze and Jimi Bregvadze. They introduced the international recommendations and 10 rules for creating an MCQ test, which was developed at the academy and should be followed by TMA lecturers.

2025-02-11

After a thorough application process, TMA's application was successfully accepted by the European University Association (EUA), and TMA will participate in the 2025 EUA Learning & Teaching Thematic Peer Group focused on Staff Development and Transnational Collaboration.

This participation provides TMA with an opportunity for peer learning and the exchange of experiences, while also contributing to the Association’s policy work on learning and teaching, such as within the context of the Bologna Process. The work of the group also feeds into the EUA’s annual European Learning & Teaching Forum.

The main objectives of the Thematic Peer Groups (TPGs) are:

• To discuss and explore best practices and lessons learned in organizing and implementing learning and teaching in European universities.

• To contribute to the enhancement of learning and teaching by identifying key considerations related to the selected themes.

The 2025 TPG will focus on staff development across higher education institutions in Europe, examining how staff-student partnerships can enrich teaching, support staff development, and promote a more collaborative and inclusive approach to learning.

Maka Zarnadze, Head of the Faculty Development Department, and Dea Goderdzishvili, Specialist in Medical Education and Research, will represent the Academy in the EUA Thematic Peer Group for one year (2025 March -2026 February).

Last year-2024, TMA successfully participated in the EUA AI Task-and-Finish Group, with the active involvement of the Vice-Rector in Research, Eka Kldiashvili.

The European University Association (EUA) represents more than 850 universities and national rectors’ conferences in 49 European countries. EUA plays a crucial role in the Bologna Process and in influencing EU policies on higher education, research, and innovation. Through continuous interaction with a range of other European and international organizations, EUA ensures that the independent voice of European universities is heard. 

2025-01-23

Student-centered learning involves the active involvement of students in the learning process, which contributes to the development of self-development skills and increases the student's responsibility for forming their knowledge. Various active learning methods (TBL, Flipped Classroom, CBCR, Portfolio, etc.) are integrated into the educational program of TMA, however, motivated TMA lecturers also organize various extracurricular activities, which include multiple examples of active learning.

At the initiative of Dr. Mariam Nikolashvili, an invited lecturer at the Department of Biochemistry, a New Year's Fun competition for Biochemistry 1 was held.

25 first-semester students participated in the activity and were divided into small (3-4 students) groups. They were required to identify clinical correlations related to biochemistry and answer blitz questions in a limited period.

The competition was held in a fun, interesting, non-stressful environment, with the active involvement of students.

The winning teams were awarded symbolic prizes.

Such activities are important because they enhance motivation for learning, develop critical thinking and communication skills, promote in-depth understanding, and encourage students to take greater responsibility for constructing their own knowledge.

2024-12-11

TMA hosted Clinical Microbiology Professor Giulio Petronio. The visit was part of the Erasmus+ cooperation between the University of Molise (UNIMOL, Italy) and TMA. Professor Petronio held meetings with the administration, including the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, the Vice-Rectors in Research and International Affairs, and representatives from the International Department, Faculty Development Department, and Quality Assurance Department. Discussions focused on the potential for further collaboration and the continuation of the Erasmus+ project.

The invited speaker gave lectures not only to students but also to academic and invited staff. The topic of the lecture was "Re-emerging Vector-borne Diseases: From Epidemiology to Resistance." The lecture aimed to provide an overview of re-emerging vector-borne diseases, with a focus on their epidemiology, the factors contributing to their resurgence, and the challenges posed by antimicrobial resistance.

During the lecture, the professor discussed the following topics:

• Introduction to vector-borne diseases, major vectors, and examples of re-emerging diseases (such as Dengue, Malaria, Zika, and Chikungunya);

• Epidemiology and factors contributing to the re-emergence of diseases, including climate change, urbanization, and global travel;

• Disease transmission dynamics and the complex interactions between hosts, vectors, and pathogens;

• Antimicrobial and insecticide resistance, and strategies for mitigating these issues.

Each lecture concluded with an interactive Q&A session, encouraging discussion and engagement with the students.

2024-12-02

Within the framework of the International Scientific Conference - "Medicine: Innovations and Challenges 2024 (MEDIC 2024)", to professionalize the academic and invited staff of the TMA, workshops aimed at promoting the development of research skills of staff and students were held with the initiative and support of the Faculty Development and Scientific Research and Doctoral Departments:

November 26 - "Teacher’s self-reflection as a tool for faculty development"

The meeting participants were introduced to the importance of self-reflection as a component of teacher professional development and the existing international recommendations in this direction. In addition, the participants individually filled out the teacher self-reflection form developed by the Academy based on international recommendations. The document provides the teacher with the opportunity to evaluate his/her activities about predetermined standards/documents.

Within the meeting's framework, the participants interactively discussed how much this form of self-reflection will help the teacher identify their strengths and areas for improvement.

November 27: “Holistic approach to doctoral supervision: expectations, roles, and responsibilities

The meeting was led by Professor Melita Kovačević - Professor at the University of Zagreb, Former EUA CDE SC Chair, PRIDE Association, Board Vice Chair.

The moderator introduced the expectations for the heads of doctoral and master's programs, their rights/responsibilities, and international recommendations to the participants of the meeting. The participants of the event interactively discussed the possibilities of introducing international principles and experience in the academy.

November 28: How to convert abstract to research paper

The Vice-Rector for Research - Ekaterine Kldiashvili, introduced the participants of the meeting to the requirements for a scientific paper, the stages of completing a scientific paper, and the requirements of international journals for a scientific paper.

The participants of the meeting interactively discussed the challenges they face when submitting a paper to scientific journals, and the possibilities of overcoming these challenges.

2024-11-20

Associate Professor of the Academy's Department of Microbiology, Head of the Faculty Development Department of TMA -Maka Zarnadze, was in the Department of Microbiology of the University of Santiago de Compostela (Spain) within the framework of the staff development program - Erasmus Staff Mobility. As part of the mobility (November 11-17), she participated in the Antibiotic Resistance Awareness Week and gave a presentation - Hints of Antibiotic Resistance – Bacteriophages. 

During the mobility, she had the opportunity to share the experience of her Spanish colleagues in teaching microbiology at the University of Santiago de Compostela and the research opportunities of the host university.

2024-10-30

The annual conference of the Association of Medical Schools of Europe (AMSE) was hosted by Thessaloniki (Greece) this year. The TMA delegation, which included the Dean of the School of Medicine Lali Mekokishvili, Deputy Dean for Educational Process Management Marika Tkhelidze, Head of Institutional Culture Development Department Maka Maglakelidze, Horizon Europe Grant Office Coordinator Magda Tvildiani and Rector's Current Affairs Coordinator Ana Mamiseishvili, presented two posters. - Presentation: "Application of photography and storytelling in developing medical students' attitudes towards practice in remote and rural areas" and "International Students Experiences: Enhancing Critical Analysis and Decision-Making Skills with Virtual Patient Simulation".

In addition, they participated in a number of activities planned within the conference's framework, including lectures, panel discussions, and workshops.

The two-day conference aimed to share knowledge and patient-centered examples, as well as to strengthen community involvement in developing the health care system.

The AMSE Annual Conference is an important platform for medical schools to share experiences and best practice and strengthen connections with for healthcare professionals.

Event participants had the opportunity to interact with experts and industry professionals from across Europe, as well as learn about the latest in medical education, research and patient care.

2024-10-16

"Quality in Doctoral Education" - the training of trainers of this name was hosted by Dubrovnik (Croatia). The event was organized by the Organization for PhD Education in Biomedicine and Health Sciences in the European System (ORPHEUS), in which the Head of the Faculty Development Department of TMA, associate professor of the Department of Microbiology Maka Zarnadze, and the member of the grant committee of TMA, associate professor of the Department of Microbiology Manana Loladze participated.

Training of trainers aimed to create training programs for scientific supervisors to ensure the quality of doctoral programs.

During the workshops, the participants shared their experiences, worked together on the training program for scientific supervisors, and received feedback from the training facilitators. After the trainings, they independently developed their universities' training programs for scientific supervisors.

Karolinska University Professor, Dean of Doctoral Programs - Robert Harris, Vice President of Orpheus - Janet Cartoon, Executive Committee Representative of Orpheus Professor Joanna Almeida Palha and President of Orpheus Professor John Creemers facilitated the training. 

15 representatives from 11 different European universities participated in the meeting.

2026-08-01

TMA Faculty Development Department organized a working meeting with academic and invited faculty members.

The purpose of the meeting was to reflect on and share experiences gained during the first year of implementing the lecture-free curriculum and to discuss its achievements, challenges, and future opportunities.

During the meeting, faculty members had the opportunity to openly reflect on their own experiences, share successful practices, discuss existing challenges, and collaboratively explore ways to further improve the program. The exchange of experiences among colleagues facilitated the sharing of new ideas, effective teaching strategies, and practical solutions.

During the meeting, the Quality Assurance Office presented an analysis of the lecture-free curriculum based on student feedback and the results of focus groups conducted with course leaders.

The reflective meeting was attended by the head of programmes and the Dean, who actively participated in the discussions, listened to the experiences and perspectives of the academic staff, and provided valuable feedback.

The program directors emphasized that such meetings and reflective practice are essential for strengthening collaboration among faculty members, successfully implementing educational innovations, and continuously improving the quality of teaching.

2026-07-14

Tbilisi Medical Academy hosted The Research Day, an academic event dedicated to showcasing the institution's ongoing research activities, recent scientific achievements, and the outcomes of international collaborative projects.

The event aimed to promote research excellence, strengthen academic collaboration, and foster a vibrant research culture within the Academy. It provided academic staff with an opportunity to learn about one another's current research projects, exchange ideas, discuss future collaborations, and explore opportunities for developing joint research initiatives.

The Research Day program featured presentations on the following topics:

• The application of artificial intelligence in laboratory diagnostics
• Liposomal encapsulation and delivery of bacteriophages
• Cancer biomarker research
• Artificial intelligence-supported teaching in preclinical medical education
• Current Erasmus+ projects at Tbilisi Medical Academy

Through its research projects TMA encourages knowledge exchange, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the continued advancement of its scientific and research capacity.

2026-07-14

We are delighted to announce that another cohort of TMA staff members has successfully completed the Essential Skills in Medical Education (ESME) certification program, offered by the International Association for Health Professions Education (AMEE).

After successfully completing four AMEE training courses, the following TMA representatives were awarded the internationally recognized Medical Educator status:

• Ia Avaliani - Vice Rector In International Affairs
• Kakha Bregvadze - Co-Head of the One-Step Educational Programme
• Bidzina Chachkhiani - Deputy Head of the Quality Assurance Office
• Ana Mamiseishvili -Coordinator of the Rector's Current Affairs
• Ina Leshkasheli - Study Process Management Coordinator

Tbilisi Medical Academy remains committed to supporting the continuous professional development of its academic and administrative staff in the field of medical education. The ESME (Essential Skills in Medical Education) programme, developed by AMEE, represents an important milestone in strengthening educational expertise and promoting excellence in teaching.

Participation in this internationally recognized programme also plays a significant role in advancing TMA's integration into the European Higher Education Area by aligning educational practices with internationally accepted standards.

The training courses were organized by the Georgian Regional Office of AMEE.

2026-05-05

Within the framework of this initiative, Associate Professor Maka Zarnadze, Head of the Faculty Development Department, and Dea Goderdzishvili, Medical Education and Research Specialist, represented Tbilisi Medical Academy (TMA) in the peer group and collaborated with European universities. 

The report summarizes the results of intensive cooperation carried out by TMA over the course of one year. In particular, it highlights best practices in the teaching and learning model that TMA implements for staff development. The report aims to bring together universities from across Europe, create a platform for sharing experiences, and foster the development of joint visions to enhance the quality of education.

This cooperation is particularly valuable as it generates mutual benefits. On the one hand, the Academy actively participates in the European University Association's activities and shares its experience. On the other hand, it adopts the best international practices and further strengthens its integration into the European Higher Education Area.

The recommendations and practical framework developed as a result of this year-long collaboration contribute to strengthening transnational cooperation and supporting the effective implementation of staff professional development across European higher education institutions.

The thematic peer group includes the University of Huelva (Spain), the University of Côte d’Azur (France), the University of Warwick (United Kingdom), among others. The group was led by Linköping University (Sweden). The coordinator of the working group is Jonas Leschke, Head of Unit for Strategic Teaching Projects, Ruhr University Bochum (Germany).

2026-04-01

Tbilisi Medical Academy (TMA) hosted a working visit by the Heads of the Curriculum Innovations in Medical Education Department (CIMED), Professors Joke Denekens and Herman Van Rossum (Antwerp, Belgium).

During the visit, the Belgian experts met with TMA’s administrative, academic, and invited personnel. Together, they reviewed key challenges in both basic and clinical courses education and discussed practical solutions. The experts emphasized the need to strengthen curriculum integration. They recommended improving horizontal integration by incorporating psychosocial and behavioral sciences into clinical reasoning sessions. They also highlighted the importance of vertical integration to ensure the continuous development of professional competencies from basic sciences through clinical training. In addition, participants discussed ways to improve the quality and effectiveness of clinical rotation overall.

The experts met with semester coordinators and shared international best practices for efficient academic process coordination.

They also attended clinical training seminars and provided professional feedback to clinicians.

In addition, Professors Denekens and Van Rossum delivered a training session for clinicians titled “Learning, Teaching and Assessment in Clinical Courses.” They also attended a workshop on Workplace-Based Assessment (WPBA) led by the program’s Clinical Co-Director, Kakha Bregvadze.

The sessions were held in an interactive format, encouraging active participation from clinicians. This approach enabled in-depth discussion of key challenges in clinical education and supported the exchange of effective teaching and assessment strategies.

2026-03-04

https://youtu.be/8nIm6THNy1U?si=dTwKnF6_hS-JCBFu

Petre Shotadze Tbilisi Medical Academy (TMA) is proud to serve as a partner and host of the official Kick-Off Meeting (KoM) of the Erasmus+ Virtual Exchange Project VITAL – Virtual Innovation and Training for Advancing Faculty Leaders, Digital Competencies, and Research Excellence.

VITAL aims to strengthen the professional development of early-career faculty in Georgia and Ukraine by focusing on 4 main objectives:

• Supporting career development through soft skills and academic leadership training;
• Improving digital competencies through innovative and AI-supported teaching methods;
• Strengthening research capacity through peer mentorship, methodology workshops, and co-authorship opportunities;
• Promoting European values through inclusive leadership and improved institutional policies.

The four-day meeting, held at TMA marked the official launch of this three-year project, lays the foundation for a coordinated start of the project, and supports its successful implementation.

VITAL is implemented by an international consortium bringing together partner universities from Spain (University of Santiago de Compostela), Italy (INFOR Elea Smart Business Academy), Ukraine (Institute of Food Biotechnology and Genomics, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine - IFBG, Ternopil National Medical University, Ukraine - TNMU), and Georgia (Petre Shotadze Tbilisi Medical Academy - TMA, Business and Technology University - BTU).

Within the project, TMA participates as a partner organization, and its implementation and coordination on behalf of the Academy are facilitated by the Faculty Development Department and the Research and PhD Department, ensuring strong institutional engagement.

2026-02-23

Within frames of Erasmus+ Staff Mobility Programme, TMA hosted the Head of the Centre for Medical Education of Lodz Medical University (Poland), Prof. Janusz Janczukowicz alongside his colleagues, in order to share their expertise and knowledge with the students and staff of TMA.

Throughout the visit, the guests presented impressive insights in defining and teaching Medical Professionalism, innovative methods in immunology and trauma informed care/education. Alongside interactive lectures, workshops were implemented around the topics of leadership and doctor-patient communication. The visit also included productive meetings with the administrative and academic staff of TMA, where best practices and current experiences were shared around planning and implementing medical professionalism in the curricula. The parties also discussed potential areas of prospective cooperation and established grounds for joint activities.

Alongside these topics, part of the visit was directed to the one-health approach and topics of planetary health. 

It was an honor and pleasure to host the colleagues from Poland and TMA looks forward to further cooperation opportunities that will involve joint scientific, research and transdisciplinary activities.

2026-02-16

The annual forum of the European University Association (EUA) was hosted this year by Lisbon, Portugal. The main theme of the forum was to enhance the quality of teaching and learning in European universities through staff development.

Within the framework of the meeting, Tbilisi Medical Academy was represented by Associate Professor Maka Zarnadze, Head of the Faculty Development Department, and Ana Mamiseishvili, Coordinator of the Rector’s Current Affairs. Together with European partner universities, the Academy’s representatives presented to the forum participants the results of a one-year work of the European University Association’s thematic working group. In particular, they facilitated a workshop dedicated to transnational cooperation in the field of staff development.