Integration of Higher Education and Science. Modern challenges (on the Example of Georgia)

The integration of education and science, as well as their close connection with industry, implies the joint use of the potential of education, innovative research and production for their common interests. On the one hand, this contributes to the training of specialists based on real research and the relevant scientific base as well as the involvement of students in research projects at an early stage, as on the other hand, the involvement of potential employers in the formation of the educational program, its compliance with the requirements of the modern market, and the interest of students in the implementation and commercialization of research results in reality. It is a holistic learning process that focuses on common goals and objectives and remains a serious challenge for our country. In the modern world, an innovative society is gradually formed based on the spread and use of knowledge. Educational and scientific research institutions occupy a central place in the process of knowledge circulation. The problems related to the process of their integration are identified in the present paper (on the example of Georgian), a comparative analysis of the international practice of situational and research activities, legislative gaps and prospects for promoting the development of science are presented. Acknowledging the fact that universities play a special role in creating and transferring knowledge that is based on science and technology, the importance and relevance of the research topic are beyond doubt. The meaningful integration of higher education, science, technology and industry is a step-by-step process and mainly considers the creation of an innovative ecosystem, training of human resources and an appropriate legal base. The goal of our research is to present conceptual issues that contribute to the development of science in our country, for which, together with the situational analysis, recommendations are offered at the end of the paper to solve the problems identified in the research process.