The official opening ceremony of the Kutaisi International University in October 2020 created a new regional hub of higher education for the study of science, management, and technology in Georgia. For the first phase of construction, which is now complete, the Penetron System was specified to waterproof the University’s exposed and below-grade concrete structures.
Opening for the winter semester 2020/21 with an initial cohort of 1,000 students, the Kutaisi International University (KIU) offers undergraduate bachelor's degrees (in English) in Computer Science, Mathematics, and Management. Further undergraduate, vocational, graduate, and post-graduate degree programs will be added within the next 2-3 years.
KIU collaborates with Technical University of Munich (TUM), a public research university in Munich, Germany with a focus on engineering sciences, natural sciences, and life sciences. The KIU operational model was developed in partnership with TUM.
Largest University in Western Georgia
“The KIU will be constructed in three phases, with the first phase now completed,” explains Jimsher Shengelia, Director of Penetron Georgia. “The next two construction phases, to be completed by 2024, will include additional educational buildings, the Hadron Accelerator Research Center, and the corresponding infrastructure.”
The €1 billion project is funded by the Cartu International Charity Foundation of Georgia, which funds numerous projects and organizations in the arts and subsidizes the construction of educational institutes, healthcare centers, sports venues, and agricultural projects. The KIU project covers 153 hectares; construction work was carried out by TMS Construction. The first phase included classroom buildings, libraries, student cafeterias, sports facilities, student dormitories, staff housing, and public infrastructure.
A Safe Solution for Potable Water Applications
TMS Construction specified the Penetron System for the University’s concrete drinking water reservoirs, which will supply the university campus with potable water. As part of the Penetron System, PENETRON ADMIX was specified for the underground concrete structures and the on-site water wells. The exposed concrete terraces and roof structures were treated with a topical application of PENETRON and PENECRETE MORTAR. Experts from Penetron Georgia provided on-site technical expertise for the project.
"The primary objective for TMS Construction was to build durable – and waterproof – concrete structures with minimal future maintenance needs,” adds Jimsher Shengelia. “All Penetron crystalline products are completely non-toxic and contain no VOCs. They are NSF 61-certified and safe for use in potable water applications, which was key for the KIU project.”
Largest university in Western Georgia: Focused on engineering sciences, natural sciences, and life sciences, the Kutaisi International University opened its doors in August 2021 to 1,000 students.
