On June 27, 2005, members of the “University Hall” group at Tbilisi State University held a protest in the university courtyard against the ongoing education reform. They demanded the resignation of Rector Rusudan Lortkipanidze and the reinstatement of dismissed research staff. The demonstration followed a heated meeting held the previous day, during which “University Hall” opposed a presidential decree that abolished the university’s Grand Scientific Council and granted full administrative authority to the rector.

During the meeting, members of the group posed numerous questions to Rector Lortkipanidze, demanding detailed answers. When the discussion turned confrontational, the dissenting lecturers walked out, calling for the annulment of the presidential decree, a temporary suspension of the education reform, the reinstatement of 800 dismissed researchers, and the full restoration of basic university funding.

In response, Rector Rusudan Lortkipanidze defended the reform, stating: “I believe this reform is not only timely but even overdue. It calls for a faculty evaluation and ranking process. Some professors may have to leave, as it is unreasonable for a university of 21,000 students to have 5,100 staff members. As for the 800 researchers, they simply failed to secure scientific grants, which are awarded through competitive selection. The next grant cycle will take place in November.”

Representatives from the State University of Foreign Languages also joined the protest, demanding the resignation of all university rectors and the Minister of Education. The demonstrators formed a “Committee of Civil Disobedience,” pledging to continue their resistance to the education reform.