TBILISI, September 20, 2018 – The U.S. Government’s Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Chief Operating Officer, Jonathan Nash, joined San Diego State University (SDSU) president Adela de la Torre and the U.S. Embassy Chargé d’affaires Elizabeth Rood this week in Tbilisi, Georgia for the SDSU in Georgia Convocation ceremony to mark the start of the 2018-2019 academic year. The ceremony welcomed 230 new students, the program’s largest class to date.
“MCC invests in partner countries to strengthen economies—and education is central to driving innovation and creating lasting opportunities that put people on the path to prosperity,” said MCC Chief Operating Officer Jonathan Nash. “MCC’s partnership with San Diego State University in Georgia has established a foundation for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education that students can now build a future on.”
Through the $140 million Georgia Compact, MCC is partnering with San Diego State University and three Georgian universities to support high-quality STEM degree programs and increase women’s participation in STEM fields. Nearly 40 percent of students in the new class are women.
“More than 550 of Georgia’s best and brightest students are now pursuing American science and engineering degrees right here at San Diego State University in Georgia,” said Chargé d’affaires Elizabeth Rood. “These students represent the next generation of the partnership between our nations.”
“Being here at SDSU in Georgia is an opportunity for us to create a collective vision that will prepare students in this global economy,” said SDSU President Adela de la Torre. “These students are the global citizens, compassionate leaders and ethical innovators that will make up an exceptional workforce of the future.”
Following Convocation, COO Nash and SDSU President de la Torre toured new laboratories at SDSU partner schools Tbilisi State University and Ilia State University.
MCC’s investment works to increase the earning potential of Georgians by supporting development of the skills needed to drive the nation’s economy. In addition to the investment in STEM higher education, the compact is expanding opportunities for vocational training and improving the quality of general education.
COO Nash and Chargé d’affaires Elizabeth Rood also joined Georgian government officials to inaugurate two public schools. The schools, Rustavi 4 and Gardabani 4, are two of the more than 90 schools refurbished with MCC funds.
“Thanks to this MCC investment, children will have access to safe, modern classrooms,” said COO Nash. “These students are the future of Georgia, and I hope that these new facilities inspire students and teachers alike to continue learning and exploring.”
The MCC Georgia Compact is being implemented by the Millennium Challenge Account-Georgia (MCA-Georgia).
For more information on MCC’s investments, visit www.MCC.gov.