Kutaisi International University (KIU) hosted a public lecture by Fabian Ewald, President of the Bavarian Association of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, titled “Business Metaverse.” The event was opened by Professor Giorgi Khubua, Rector of KIU and the official Ambassador of the Bavarian Association in Georgia. Among the attendees were Mariam Kvirkvia, Vice-Rector of KIU, representatives of the Regional Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Imereti and Guria, as well as university faculty, staff, and students.
In his lecture, Fabian Ewald explored the role of the Metaverse in transforming the business landscape, examining its potential and current challenges. He emphasized the growing importance of integrating virtual and augmented reality technologies into business models, which are reshaping commercial interactions and enabling new avenues for innovation. The discussion also highlighted the potential for adopting Metaverse technologies in Georgia, particularly in the context of regional business development. Mr. Ewald underlined the critical role local Chambers of Commerce can play in supporting and facilitating this integration.
The Bavarian Association of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises plays a key role in expanding professional and business networks, supporting entrepreneurial activity, and promoting applied research. The association represents over 614,000 companies in Bavaria, employing more than 4.3 million people, and annually supports 190,000 young people through internship programs. It also engages in multiple joint research projects with academic institutions. President Ewald expressed strong support for strengthening economic and business cooperation with Georgia, emphasizing that collaboration with the Bavarian Association can significantly contribute to KIU’s evolution into a “University of Entrepreneurship.” This concept is grounded in the strategic integration of academia and industry.
