June 12, 2008
N. Kitzkhalia, Trend News

The Georgian President Michael Saakashvili intends to restore Rustaveli prize and National awards in Georgia. The President made this statement during the meeting with scientists at the Bacteriophage Institute, which is celebrating its 85th anniversary.

Saakashvili has signed a decree, which specifies that Rustaveli award will be issued every 2 years and its owner will receive 7,000 lari, whilst national awards will be presented every 4 years and its owner will get 15,000 lari.

“We intend to double the financing of science and scientists, and their salaries from the next year. I think it is important to restore the Rustaveli prize and national awards,” the President said.

He noted that the Rustaveli award would be given to art figures and the national award to prominent scientists. “Our scientists and their followers should have incentive,” he said.

Saakashvili said that the Bakteriofag manufactures a lot of medical supplies to save human life. “In my childhood I took the medicine of this institution, which save my life,” he said and noted that his great grandmother worked at this institute for 40 years.