1. Integrating Multicultural Education in Sokhumi State University Lia Akhaladze, Tamar Jojua, Tamar Shinjiashvili, Rusudan Pipia S okhumi State University, Georgia Encounters in Education, Between Cultures and Pedagogy Kay Academic College Beer Sheva, Israel 25 March, 2014

2. Ou r presentation shows integration of the TEMPUS program DOIT “Development of an International Model for Curricular Reform in Multicultural Education and Cultural Diversity Training” into teaching courses at Sokhumi State University.

3. Sokhumi State University (SSU) is one of the Georgian HEI's of DOIT. SSU was founded in 1932 in one of the historical regions of Georgia - Abkhazia, in Sokhumi. At first it functioned as the State Pedagogical Institute. Since 1993 due to the military aggression of this region by the Soviet Russia a greater part of SSU relocated to Tbilisi and became Sokhumi branch of Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University. In 2007 by the decision of Georgian government this higher education institution was given back its former name - Sokhumi State University (SSU). 11 March 2013 Dr. Hanan Maoz, Tempus-DOIT Project, Landuau, Germany 3

4. 11 March 2013Dr. Hanan Maoz, Tempus-DOIT Project, Landuau, Germany4 Today, in the year 2014, SSU offers 27 programs on BA, 21 on MA and 11 on PhD levels and 2 special programs of 60 credits, among them there are the following functioning programs at the Faculty of Education: On BA level 1) Primary level teacher education program; 2) Inclusive education program; 3) Basic and secondary level teacher education program;

5. On MA Level the following programs are offered: 1)Teaching methodology in different subject disciplines; 2)Educational psychology Teacher education programs at the faculty of Education involves 290 students and around 30 faculty ranging from the rank of full professors to lecturers and scientific workers. The faculty and student body of SSU include members of a variety of ethnic groups, including Georgian, Abkhazian, Armenian and Azerbaijani students.

6. The DOIT aims improving teacher education degree in higher education institutions of Israel, Georgia and the European Union. Accordingly, Faculty of Education of Sokhumi State University, which is one of the most important centers of teacher training in Georgia, is involved in the project. 11 March 2013Dr. Hanan Maoz, Tempus-DOIT Project, Landuau, Germany6

7. The announcements for selected TEMPUS programs for the fifth call were made in August 2012. DOIT was one of the programs selected and the start date of the project was October 15, 2012. Though the collaboration was established from the very beginning of the application process. On January 26, 2012 a mandate was signed between the rector or SSU and the President of GCE that made SSU an official member of DOIT's consortium.

8. 8 Sokhumi State University DOIT team is working within the project in two directions Research Teaching

9. Our research within DOIT was presented at several international and national conferences. Scientific Forum dedicated to the founder of Georgian Psycological School-Dimitry Uznadze’s 125 birth anniversary. Georgia, Tbilisi. June, 2013 The European Conference on Education – 2013 (IAFOR). England, Brighton. July, 2013 International Scientific Conference dedicated to 140 th anniversary of Ilya Chavchavadze. Georgia, Kutaisi. November, 2013. Annual Faculty Conferences at Sokhumi State University. Georgia, Tbilisi. May-June, 2013

10. Conference Papers The Challenges and Prospects of the EU grant project DOIT - Lia Akhaladze, Tamar Shinjiashvili, Nino Chiabrishvili, David Malazonia, Marine Khubua Holistic Approach to Multicultural Education - Nino Chiabrishvili, David Malazonia, Tamar Shinjiashvili, Lia Akhaladze The Influence of a Tempus Project DOIT on University Research and Development - Lia Akhaladze, Rhonda Sofer, Tamar Jojua, Tamar Shinjiashvili, Rusudan Pipia

11. Culture and identity in Abkhazia - Lia Akhaladze, Tamar Shinjiashvili Multicultural education and new teaching methods for the teachers instructing the beginner stage classes - Rusudan Pipia, Brolisa Tsulaia Human rights and international Law aspects of the state recognition- Tamriko Jojua, Omar Ardashelia

12. Plans for Future (2014) Annual Faculty Conferences: DOIT - Achivements and Future Prospects, Lia Akhaladze, Tamar Jojua, Tamar Shinjiashvili, Rusudan Pipia Active Citizenship, Lia Akhaladze, Tamar Shinjiashvili International Conferences: Multiculturalism in Present Abkhazia, Lia Akhaladze, Tamar Jojua, Tamar Shinjiashvili, Rusudan Pipia Multiculturalism in Historic Tao-Klarjeti, Lia Akhaladze

13. Sokhumi State University is in two working teams of DOIT: SSU Pedagogical Approaches that Promote Inter- Cultural-Ethnic Understanding in the Classroom Culturally Specific Materials for Georgia

14. culturally specific materials for Georgia Georgian DOIT team - culturally specific materials for Georgia developed several syllabi in Georgian language based on the different expertise of all members of the group. These separate syllabi were then integrated into one common syllabus that was translated into English called Multiethnic and Multicultural Georgia. SSU's team prepared the following topics and subtopics for this syllabus:

15. Abkhazia -Multiethnic/multicultural region of Georgia Shida Kartli - Multiethnic/multicultural region of Georgia Ethnic composition of modern Georgia

16. In the second working team - Pedagogical Approaches that Promote Inter-Cultural-Ethnic Understanding in the classroom - Sokhumi team has developed two syllabi. In the second working team - Pedagogical Approaches that Promote Inter-Cultural-Ethnic Understanding in the classroom - Sokhumi team has developed two syllabi. Active citizenship Tamar Shinjiashvili, Rusudan Pipia Perception of Culture and Identity Lia Akhaladze, Tamar Jojua

17. The both syllabi are created on the basis of the James Bank’s five dimensions: Content Integration The Knowledge Construction Process An Empowering School Culture and Social Structure Prejudice Reduction An Equity Pedagogy

18. On December 28, 2012, the BA programs: Primary level teacher education program; Inclusive education program; Basic and secondary level teacher education program were officially approved and accredited. MA level program in History received program accreditation on the 30 th of July, 2013. MA level program in Education Sciences passed the institutional accreditation (authorization)and now it has been put forward for program accreditation.

19. Sokhumi State University has already put several teaching courses in three educational programs in the direction of multicultural education. SSU integrated 3 courses in Multicultural Education in one BA course and two MA programs. Sokhumi State University has already put several teaching courses in three educational programs in the direction of multicultural education. SSU integrated 3 courses in Multicultural Education in one BA course and two MA programs. 11 March 2013Dr. Hanan Maoz, Tempus-DOIT Project, Landuau, Germany19

20. Course: Multicultural Education Intercultural Education Teacher Education (primary level ) The Influence of DOIT on educational programs of SSU, BA Level

21. Thus in the Faculty of Education a new course, Multicultural Education is integrated into the curriculum and made mandatory for the teacher education. SSU will be implementing a new program (“minor specialization”) at the bachelor degree level for educational science on “Intercultural Relations". This program is being developed by DOIT’s SSU team and Quality Assurance Department at SSU. 11 March 2013Dr. Hanan Maoz, Tempus-DOIT Project, Landuau, Germany21

22. The Influence of DOIT at SSU is also on Master Level Course: Intercultural Relations Teaching methodology of History History

23. The course "Intercultural Relations in Abkhazia: History and Modernity" is designed to introduce MA students - historical basics and modern situation of intercultural relations in one of the historical regions of Georgia - in Abkhazia.

24. During the Fall semester, 2013 the teaching course “Culturally Specific Materials for Georgia“ was implemented at BA primary teacher training program at the faculty of Education. 56 students were registered in this course. During the spring semester two syllabi within DOIT project were implemented at SSU: a)“Culturally Specific Materials for Georgia“ b) “Children Rights“

25. Inclusive Education  “ Culturally Specific Materials for Georgia“ was chosen by 14 BA of Inclusive Education program students. 60 ECTS teacher training program and in BA international Relations Program.  “Children Rights” is being taught in current semester: in two BA programs – 60 ECTS teacher training program and in BA international Relations Program. 11 students are registered in 60 ECTS program and 25 students in international relations program.

26. Curriculum Reform that is being occurred at SSU will include integrating the following course from DOIT’s program: Intercultural Education Children’s Rights in and Through Education Multiethnic and Multicultural Georgia Culture and Identity Active Citizenship Communication and Social Media Pedagogical Approaches for intercultural teacher and so on.

27.  Administration of SSU allocated a room at the Faculty of Education within DOIT project.  The equipment, purchased according to the regulations of the project was installed in this room.  This TEMPUS room and the equipment are actively used by the academic staff and students who are integrated in teaching/learning process of above mentioned courses of DOIT.

28. We are sure that future effective collaboration with our European and Israeli counterparts will further promote DOIT's goals as well as lead to other collaborative projects We are sure that future effective collaboration with our European and Israeli counterparts will further promote DOIT's goals as well as lead to other collaborative projects.

29.  At this stage of implementation of our project, we can say for sure - YES, DOIT has had a positive and successful influence on research and development of our university curriculum! Integrating Multicultural Education  And Integrating Multicultural Education is being successfully implemented in Sokhumi State University

30. Thank you for Attention !

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