BTU Turns 10 - What the University Introduced First in Georgia Business and Technology University is celebrating its 10th anniversary
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
You're reading Entrepreneur Georgia, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.
Over the past decade, BTU has introduced a number of educational, technological and research initiatives that were among the first of their kind in Georgia and the wider region.
Education Built Around Business and Technology
BTU was the first university in Georgia to develop an educational model built around the integration of business and technology.
The University brought the standards and certification modules of international technology brands into the learning process and was also the first in Georgia to use the World Economic Forum's Strategic Intelligence platform in teaching and research. This gives students access to global economic, technological and industry trends as part of their studies.
BTU also introduced a free lifelong learning programme for all graduates. Through the programme, graduates can return to the University throughout their careers, attend selected courses and continue developing new knowledge and skills.
Artificial Intelligence Across Education, Research and Management
BTU was the first university in Georgia to integrate artificial intelligence across teaching, research and university management at the same time.
One of the initiatives developed at the University is BTUAI, an AI- and data-driven analytical platform that brings together educational and research resources covering business, economics, technology and a range of industries.
BTU also became the first university in the region to introduce a doctoral programme focused on artificial intelligence: Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence in the Public Sector.
Beyond the University, BTU has developed AI literacy initiatives for children, young people, women, small and medium-sized businesses and the academic community. Its international AI4Globe initiative was recognised by UNESCO as one of the influential initiatives of the International Decade of Sciences.
Partnership with MIT and Women's Empowerment in Technology
BTU became the first university in the region to establish a partnership with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), creating an important precedent for entrepreneurship education and the development of an innovation ecosystem.
Through this cooperation, BTU students and entrepreneurs gained access to international educational programmes, workshops, mentoring and acceleration initiatives.
The University also founded a Coding School for Women, which has reached thousands of beneficiaries and received a number of international awards and recognitions.
Industry Partnerships and Georgia's Tech Olympiad Hub
Working with more than 500 local and international organisations, BTU has built a system that connects students and graduates with employment, professional development and industry experience.
These partnerships provide access to jobs and internships, professional events, career consultations and practical programmes developed together with industry.
BTU also created Georgia's Tech Olympiad Hub, which brings together the selection and preparation of national teams and their participation in international competitions. The Hub focuses on identifying and developing talented young people in informatics and artificial intelligence and supporting them as they compete internationally.
High-Tech Laboratories and CERN
Over the past 10 years, BTU has developed a range of modern teaching and research laboratories, including XR LAB, Digital Twins Laboratory, MARTECH LAB, BLOCKCHAIN LAB and INDUSTRY 4.0 LAB.
These spaces give students and researchers the opportunity to work with emerging technologies, build prototypes and carry out research projects.
A project developed in the fields of artificial intelligence and extended reality also led to BTU becoming the first university in Georgia to cooperate with CERN, one of the world's leading research centres, through the ATLAS Experiment.
The initiatives introduced during BTU's first decade have helped define the University's main areas of development: bringing education and technology together, integrating artificial intelligence, expanding international partnerships, strengthening research and entrepreneurship, and creating new opportunities for students and the wider community.
After 10 years, BTU is entering a new stage of development, continuing to build new international opportunities across education, science and technological innovation.
