In his fifties, wearing a black suit, Temuraz Kokoev opens the doors of his Rector’s office at the University of Tskhinvali. On the shelves of his bookshelf, there are obviously books among which an unexpected portfolio about the city of Rennes, but also paintings made by his students, and a picture of the South-Ossetian leader, Eduard Kokoity.

This man is an enthusiast. Temuraz Kokoev answers vigorously to the questions strictly related to the University. But when political questions are raised, the embarassement shows on his face. The topic is taboo. Especially since summer 2004 and given the exacerbated tensions between Tskhinvali and Tbilisi.

« « There are 3,500 students registered this year at the University, among them 2,000 students just take the exams here but not the courses», underlines Temuraz Kokoev. The tuition fees are paid by the South-Ossetian authorities for all the 1,500 full-time students, but also for the best part-time students. However, « this year, the number of studens has decreased because of the conflict and the shootings of last summer », he asserts.
In his University, courses range from fundamental sciences to South-Ossetian language and literature, but also Russian language and literature, foreign languages, journalism, economic and social sciences, law, technological studies and arts.
Questioned on the career prospects of graduated students, the Rector reminds that after graduation, half of the students leave for Russia so as to look for a job there – Vladikavkaz is still their favorite destination. But there are also student exchanges going on between the two Ossetias. « Our professors have to spend a part of their career in Russia, and this in order to increase the academic level of the university. Most of them go to Vladikavkaz, others in Moscow or Rostov, for a period of three months up to one year », recalls Temuraz Kokoev.

In the solemn atmosphere of his office, the statement of the rector is perfectly fitted : politically correct, though sincere. Visitors come and go. One of them, Julieta Davidovna, has been a professor of Russian linguistics for 40 years, and is one of the pillars of the university. Proud of her establishment, she reviews all the promising young people of this region, notably artists.
Besides, the rector proudly displays the best paintings of this students, suggesting in the course of the conversation to exhibit some of those in Europe. Everything is discussed, from talented South-Ossetian scientists to the quality of the wine and the water from the Ossetian mountains. The suggestion is even made to export those goods toward Europe. But they all apply themselves to remind that they are not giving a patriotic statement.

A tirade about the South-Ossetian culture. Another one about the capital. Everyone says a line that praises the region. But nobody dwells on the current situation with Georgia – the very name of its President, Mikhael Saakashivili is even dodged, with somekind of partly acknowledged self-censorship.