On September 11, 2011, when the academic year began, a ceremonial event was held in the courtyard of Tbilisi State University’s (TSU) first building. On stage, the head of the student government, Dachi Gubadze, addressed the students:

“Let me remind you in a few words that this evening, at Roses Square, students will receive their first gift from Tbilisi State University and the student government – a concert will be held…”

While he was speaking, several banners appeared in the courtyard reading: “Education reform has failed,” “High price, low quality,” “Don’t lie to students,” and “No to authoritarian education.” Green leaflets were also distributed, ending with the message: “You are a student, you are alive, get active!” The text stated: “Tbilisi State University is not even among the world’s top 1,500 universities. This means that the golden towers built by the administration are nothing but an illusion.”

The protest was organized by the student group Laboratory 1918. “The reason for the protest is the very low quality of education, as a result of which a university diploma has no value… This reflects the dysfunction of the entire system. Another reason is that the university has no autonomy – it has become an extension of the United National Movement and, at the same time, a factory for producing passive citizens,” said Giorgi Chubinidze, a representative of Laboratory 1918, during his speech at the event.

The performance-style protest did not continue in the following days.