BGN 236 million are invested in the ten research universities, including Thrace University

BGN 236 million is invested in the ten research higher schools in Bulgaria under the National Plan for Recovery and Sustainability. This was announced by the Deputy Minister of Education and Science Natalia Miteva at the opening of the first annual conference of the SUMMIT project of the Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”.

Within the framework of the conference, the heads of 22 scientific groups of the project present their work in various fields – materials for green energy and the environment, artificial intelligence, climate, natural disasters and risks, quantum informatics, social challenges, digital education, digitization of small and medium-sized enterprises enterprises and others. About 300 young scientists participate in the research. The project is financed with BGN 44 million. under the Recovery and Resilience Plan.

“The purpose of these investments is to pilot a new model for the development of research universities in Bulgaria,” emphasized Natalia Miteva. She pointed out that the realization of the activities in the ten higher schools and the construction of a network between them aims to support the realization of the scientific potential of the regions and the entire country and to stimulate the partnership between the scientific community and industry. “This allows business to have systematic access to research capacity, and the research community to fuel Bulgaria’s economic growth,” Deputy Minister Miteva pointed out.

She congratulated the research universities for the initiative and capacity they have shown over time and for having developed complex and difficult to implement projects that are important for the development of the research community in Bulgaria and for its relationship with business.
Except Sofia Universityresearch universities in Bulgaria are Technical University in Sofia, the medical universities in Sofia, Varna, Plovdiv and Pleven, The Chemical Technology and Metallurgical University in Sofia, Paisii Hilendarski University of Plovdiv, Thrace University in Stara Zagora and Angel Kanchev University of Ruse.

Natalia Miteva also congratulated the researchers working on the various projects. “Thank you for sharing your talent in this particular field and for the fact that a huge part of you are working precisely on projects with which we can make Bulgaria an even better place to live, for a career, for families and, of course, for the realization of the scientific potential of young people”, she addressed the scientists.

The opening of the conference was also attended by the Deputy Minister of Innovation and Growth, Prof. Georgi Angelov, the rector of Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” Prof. Georgi Valchev, the executive director of the Executive Agency “Education Program” Prof. Georgi Vaisilov and the chairman of the National Assessment and Accreditation Agency Prof. Eliza Stefanova.