CIU Professors at the Second World Conference on Security Studies in Brussels

On June 2-13, the representatives of Caucasus International University – Professor Vakhtang Maisaia, Head of the Master’s Educational Program in Global Politics and Security Studies (in English)/Master’s Educational Program in International Relations and International Security (in Georgian), and Associate Professor Eka Beraia paid a scientific visit to Brussels, Belgium.

The main aim of the visit was the participation of Georgian researchers in the “Second World Conference on Security Studies”, organized by ACAVENT. This conference brings together researchers, scholars and representatives of analytical circles from more than 20 countries. Associate Professor Alika Guchua, Head of the Bachelor’s Educational Program in International Relations Program at CIU, participated remotely in the conference. The presentations of Georgian researchers addressed topical issues of security and military studies. Vakhtang Maisaia and Alika Guchua presented a paper on the topic: “Biological and Chemical Terrorism as a Strategic Asymmetric Threat to Modern International Security”, while Eka Beraia, together with Anton Kutateladze, PhD student in Political Science, delivered a presentation on the topic: “The Importance of the Total Defense Concept in Achieving Security and Stability in Georgia”.

After the presentations, a discussion was held within the framework of the conference, which allowed participants to discuss the presented topics and share their own experiences. In the same context, Vakhtang Maisaia introduced the Master’s Educational Program “Global Politics and Security Studies” supervised by him, which is unique in its content and purpose.

The program was developed with the support of the European Union and the International Center for Science and Technology, and the participation of Caucasus International University academia. It mainly specializes in the policy of non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. It is on the basis of this program that a new scientific direction was officially established in the Georgian academic sphere for the first time – “Security Studies”, which is currently presented at the Master’s level.

Inessa Vydas, Executive Director of the International Association for Security Studies, highly appreciated the existing model of the program and expressed her readiness for the active involvement of the association and its members in its development. In addition, it is planned to conduct joint special trainings and seminars within the framework of the mentioned program.

The program provoked great interest among the international audience - representatives of Turkey, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom expressed their readiness for future collaboration. CIU Associate Professor Eka Beraia has been invited to deliver a hybrid warfare training course in the United Kingdom in November 2025, which once again emphasizes the importance and international resonance of the mentioned program.

Within the framework of the visit, on June 4, a visit of Georgian researchers to the College of Europe, one of the most prestigious educational institutions in Europe, took place in Bruges. A meeting of Georgian researchers with the College’s leadership and academic staff was held, where plans for joint cooperation were outlined. The Master’s program in “Global Politics and Security Studies” was also presented within the framework of this meeting, and the following day, Georgian professors had bilateral meetings with representatives of the European Union, NATO Joint Command and the European Parliament in Brussels.