The mission of Ilia State University is to create, disseminate, and apply knowledge in order to advance scientific progress and contribute to societal development, both locally and internationally.

This mission is anchored in three unifying principles:

A) Unity of Research and Teaching (Teaching – Research Nexus):
Knowledge creation and dissemination are carried out by the same group of individuals, while students are given the opportunity to participate actively in the process of knowledge generation. The learning environment at Ilia State University, and its entire academic process, are based on the Humboldtian model and the Humboldtian Ideal of higher education, whose core principle is the holistic integration of research and teaching. This model offers a holistic approach unites teaching with research as a comprehensive approach to acquiring both general education and profound knowledge.

B) Unity of General and Specialized Education (Common Liberal Arts Curriculum and Specialization):
Ilia State University was among the first institutions to introduce key elements of liberal education and freedom to choose a field of study and to research freely into Georgia’s higher education system. The University remains committed to preserving and strengthening these elements while balancing them with the rigorous demands of specialization.

C) Unity of the Universal and the Local (Universal and Local Knowledge):
This principle has two complementary dimensions. On the one hand, it involves producing and sharing science as universally accessible knowledge. On the other hand, it emphasizes the generation, transfer, and implementation of new knowledge in response to regional, national, and local challenges. At the same time, in the context of Georgia’s European integration and its critical transitional period, this unity underscores the strengthening of the University’s public mission.