GLOBAL EXCELLENCE AND STATURE 4.0

Prof Kakha Shengelia is the President of Caucasus University (CU) in Georgia. He is also the President of the International Association of University Presidents (IAUP), and a member of the Steering Committee of the Network of Institutes and Schools of Public Administration in Central and Eastern Europe (NISPAcee). Prof Shengelia holds an MBA degree in Management from the University of Hartford (USA), and a PhD degree from Georgian Technical University (Georgia). He is an Honourable Doctor of Tallinn University of Technology (Estonia) and Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara (Mexico). Prof Shengelia was awarded the Presidential Order of Excellence by the President of Georgia, and the Ring of Honour by the University of Applied Sciences (Upper Austria). In 2018, he was elected as a Fellow of the World Academy of Arts and Sciences. 

Prof Shengelia has dedicated himself towards contributing to the worldwide vision of global higher education as he endeavours to promote peace and international understanding through education. Prof Shengelia has tirelessly endeavoured to strengthen international liaisons among educational institutions and support sustainable development in a context of global competency. One of his main preoccupations is to establish collaboration with agencies, NGOs, civil society, and organisations, nationally and globally, in his pursuit of a common goal of educational development. Since the building of global leadership is one of his keen interests, he takes responsibility for facilitating liaisons, cooperation, and networking among university leaders across the world. Prof Shengelia’s current activities coincide with the vision and mission that UJ has built for driving a robust internationalisation agenda – linking with countries on the African continent as well as from all over the world. Prof Kakha Shengelia has championed intercultural, scientific, and intellectual exchanges. He has also been an enthusiastic teacher offering courses in management and history. Prof Shengelia’s dedication aligns with the values of the University of Johannesburg in his striving for academic excellence and reimagining the global tertiary landscape. For the reasons referred to, Prof Shengelia is a deserving and noteworthy recipient of the VC’s Global Excellence and Stature Award. This Award celebrates exemplary achievements and exceptional leadership at the global level.