Roin Metreveli, who has been the Rector of the Tbilisi State University (TSU) for the past 13 years, filed his resignation to the University's Great Council on October 1.

At a session of the Great Council, the governing body of the TSU, Roin Metreveli denied accusations that he was pressured by President Mikheil Saakashvili to step down.

Roin Metreveli has been a target of criticism of a portion of the TSU students who accuse Metreveli of heavy-handed rule and corruption.

It is likely that Georgia’s current Ambassador to Italy, Rusudan Lortkipanidze, will replace Metreveli. The outgoing Rector announced on October 1 that he has appointed Dr. Rusudan Lortkipanidze, the Deputy Rector, as his replacement, thus paving the way for her participation in the elections of a new Rector by the Council.

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has already expressed his support for Rusudan Lortkipanidze’s candidacy.