An internationally renowned cultural and business exchange will bring five visitors from the county of Georgia to Community Colleges of Spokane (CCS) on Friday to spend a week learning about energy generation, land use and the environment. The country of Georgia is on the Black Sea, more than 6,000 miles from Spokane and is a growing democracy that once was part of the Soviet Union.
CCS is hosting the delegates, who are leading engineers from three cities in Georgia, through the Open World Leadership Center’s Open World Program. The group will be in Spokane to learn about energy and modern practices of large-scale hydro power plants in the United States.
In addition to touring the Grand Coulee Dam, the delegates also will meet with representatives from Avista Corp., Bonneville Power Administration, Upper Columbia United Tribes, the Lands Council, Northwest Power & Conservation Council and will meet with Mayor David Condon.
Students and faculty at both Spokane Community College and Spokane Falls Community College will benefit from presentations the delegates will lead about the history and purpose of the Abkhaz-Enguri Dam, Georgia’s unique regulatory system, its impact on the environment and public involvement.
The delegation includes:
- Badura Ubilava – Jvari, Georgia– Electrical engineer at the Dam Department, Enguri Hydro Power Plant
- Onise Akobia – Tsalenjikha, Georgia – Head of the Rescue and Emergency Response Service Department, Enguri Hydroelectric Power Plant
- Onise Kobalia – Samegrelo, Georgia – Deputy head of the Production Technical Division, Enguri Hydro Power Plant
- Besik Konjaria – Tsalenjikha, Georgia – IT and network systems engineer, Enguri Hydroelectric Power Plant
- Davit Morgoshia – Tsalenjikha, Georgia – Head of monitoring group, Enguri Hydro Power Plant
All of these leaders in Georgia were selected to take part in this Open World Leadership Center, a bipartisan congressionally funded exchange and outreach program established in 1999. It conducts exchanges that establish lasting professional relationships between the up-and-coming leaders of Open World countries and Americans dedicated to showcasing U.S. values and democratic institutions. Last year CCS hosted a delegation from Eurasia which came to Spokane to learn about Women Leaders in STEM.
Editor’s Note: This international program welcomes media interviews and we are happy to assist you in joining them for their tours or scheduling an interview. Please contact CCS Communications Manager Annie Gannon, annie.gannon@ccs.spokane.edu or 434-5150 for complete biographies and media opportunities.
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