Graduate Support Office announces ‘Graduate of the Month’ for July
July 11, 2007
Beginning with March 2007, the Marshall Center Graduate Support Office has featured a Marshall Center “Graduate of the Month.” The purpose of this initiative is to feature Marshall Center alumni who are playing an active role in furthering the ideals of the Marshall Center in creating a more stable security environment by advancing democratic institutions and relationships; promoting active, peaceful security cooperation; and enhancing enduring partnerships among the nations of North America, Europe, Eurasia, and beyond.
First Deputy Minister Amb. Nikoloz Vashakidze, Marshall Center Graduate of the Month, July 2007
Amb. Nikoloz Vashakidze Featured as Marshall Center “Graduate of the Month”
Congratulations to Amb. Nikoloz Vashakidze, First Deputy Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, for being selected as the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies Graduate of the Month for July, 2007.
Vashakidze first attended the Marshall Center for the Executive Program (1997-1), having been nominated by his Ministry, as the Head of the Military Cooperation Division, Department of Political-Military Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. After graduating, he became Deputy Director of the Department and in 1998 its Director. He then went on in 2000 to become Deputy Secretary of the National Security Council.
Vashakidze returned to the Marshall Center in 2001 to attend SES 2001-5. During this time he was Co-Chairman, Euro-Atlantic Club of Georgia as well as receiving a NATO-EAPC Fellowship at the Royal College of Defense Studies, London University, United Kingdom. In 2002 he received his Master’s Degree in International Relation, Kings College, London, having already been awarded an MA in Public Administration in 1995 and a PhD in Technical Sciences in 1997.
In 2004 he became the President of the Georgian International Oil Corporation. In March 2007 he was appointed Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and on 1 June became First Deputy Minister. Vashakidze credits his time at the Marshall Center as having dramatically expanded his vision of the global security agenda as well as providing the opportunity to make good contacts. Vashakidze stays in touch with other graduates and notes that a large number of Marshall Center graduates hold important positions in key institutions and the Foreign Service which has been helpful during his time in diplomatic service.
