The international conference “Initiative 5.0” has started at the University of Business and Technology
The International Conference “Initiative 5.0” started on June 28 at the University of Business and Technology (BTU). It is attended by researchers from BTU and partner international universities, representatives of the public and private sectors, members of local and international associations and organizations.
The multi-day conference will include the following thematic panels: Digital Economy, Green Technologies, Healthcare Technologies, Agrarian Technologies, Law Technologies, Education Technologies, Media Technologies and Cyber Security, Culture Technologies, and Women in Technologies. The last day will be dedicated to the online conference, at which the foreign partners of the University will make reports on the results of the presented research, and whose partner is the academic consortium of the European Marketing and Management Association (EUMMAS).
According to the organizers, the event aims to share the latest trends, achievements, or research results in all sectors that contribute to the development of the digital economy and digital governance in the country.
The largest thematic panel at the conference is dedicated to the direction of the digital economy with which it opened. Zviad Gabisonia, head of the Research Center at the University of Business and Technology, says the target audience is researchers, scientific and educational circles, and technology companies interested in technological research.
“We, together with American partners, have announced the formation of a new scientific journal. We want to increase the number of Georgian science technologies, including the citation index, with these publications. The interest in the conference is huge. In addition to the on-site audience, he is also watched online. We think that through social networks many people will observe him, ask the relevant question, and get a comprehensive answer. “I think technology is the future of this country, including in the field of scientific research,” told Zviad Gabisonia, head of the BTU Research Center.
The moderator of the Digital Economy Panel and one of the speakers is Vakhtang Charaia, an associate professor at the University of Business and Technology, who presented a study entitled “Fintech Technologies for Small and Medium Businesses in Georgia”. Fintech involves the emergence of new sources of funding using innovative technologies. As Professor Charaia explains to us, with a simple explanation, this means getting certain services online from the business sector, the bank, or other financial institutions.
“Unfortunately, the business sector has fewer opportunities to take loans online, if they can submit certain characteristics to the bank in a simplified way. Especially in regions where today, due to the underdevelopment of the financial sector, it is difficult to find financial resources for business. We are talking about the introduction and development of this today, which should be done jointly by the National Bank, the Parliament, the Government, and the financial sector. “Where it has been introduced, it promotes the development of business and the financial sector very well,” said Vakhtang Charaia.He added that the conference will be attended by all those responsible for advancing this direction, as well as those who may be affected by the changes – representatives of state institutions, the financial sector or the expert community. And training of relevant personnel as well.
In order to make progress, joint work of the governmental and non-governmental sectors is needed, said Avtandil Kasradze , Chairman of the Georgian Innovation and Technology Agency, one of the participants in the conference, adding that the discussion on the digital economy will help To share their views and initiatives with state institutions.
“Development of digital economy is the foundation of the development of Georgian innovative ecosystem and, of course, we are ready to take very important and fast steps. We have seen that the technological product of Georgian startups has been sold globally. These examples give the belief that it is possible to produce a global product in Georgia, through which Georgian technology companies will be represented on the world market. This is the beginning of important reforms to make as much access as possible to services that are less available today. It is in this direction that steps will be taken by the government in the coming years. This conference provides an opportunity to exchange views to see what the problems are and how they can be solved, “- said the chairman of the Georgian Innovation and Technology Agency.
The conference “Initiative 5.0” at the University of Business and Technology will end on July 2.
