First Bakhvi HPP Scholarship Recipient Jaba Bolkvadze from Mtispiri is a Future Energy Specialist

The Student Assistance Program under the announced Bakhvi HPP Environmental and Social Program has been operating since September 2022. Based on the program, the company will cover 80% of the tuition fee to those young men and women from Mtispiri and Chkhakaura villages, who decide to study energy or environmental specialties. The first beneficiary of this project is Jaba Bolkvadze, a resident of Mtispiri village. He graduated from Mtispiri Public School in 2022 and entered the Energy Program of the Georgian Technical University with specialization in Electrical Engineering. Jaba Bolkvadze, as he said, had already chosen the profession when Bakhvi HPP initiated a training course in his school. Through this training course, high school students learned about the hydropower and environmental aspects. As a part of the training course, also professional orientation meetings were held. These meetings and knowledge gained at the training sessions prompted Jaba to change his decision and enter the Energy Program.

Jaba Bolkvadze, Student

"I was a high school student in a graduate class preparing to enter the university and had my future profession already decided. Bakhvi HPP organized meetings in our village and trained us. It caused my interest to try myself in this field. We were taken on a tour and saw the Kintrisha HPP operations. I got very interested in this field and chose the Electrical Engineering Program.

I think this novelty will help the youths in the future. Many young people are already interested in this profession. In the future I plan to settle in Mtispiri and to be a successful specialist in my field."

Nana Tcheishvili, Mtispiri Public School Principal

How would you assess the program assisting students if they enter the energy or environmental programs?

"The Bakhvi HPP Student Assistance Program is a great incentive for the young people to stay in the village, have a specialty, be employed per their specialty. This will encourage them to study and work further. The young person will know that after completing a specific institution, he/she will have an employment opportunity in his own village and region. The program of funding students is very good news for the development of the young generation, as well as for the strengthening of the village. We observe the young people massively leaving the village and moving to cities. A properly planned future will ensure their establishment in the village. Also, we see locally the sparkle in the young generation to acquire these professions, get employed and develop their village."

Rezo Bolkvadze, Jaba Bolkvadze's parent

How would you assess the Bakhvi HPP organized training your son attended and how significant is this incentivization for the families?

"I would assess this project very positively. My son had been intending to study at the Marine Academy, but as a result of the trainings he decided to apply for electrical engineering. There is hope for and prospect of employment. This is very good for the family. Today, it is very difficult for the family to pay college tuition fees. What you do is very encouraging for us. I am really very happy."