Annual Scientific Conference of TU - Sofia

The latest scientific achievements of the Technical University – Sofia, covering some of the most significant and current areas of our lives, were presented at a three-day international scientific conference. The event is held in Plovdiv under the project "Improving the research capacity and quality for international recognition and sustainability of the Technical University – Sofia", funded by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan.

In her introductory speech, Prof. Lidia Galbova, Deputy Rector for "International Activities and Integration" and Chair of the Project's Management Committee, stated that the conference tracks progress in the university's strategic scientific directions. She emphasized that this is a significant event for the university, where the actual scientific results and the potential of its researchers, generated over the past years, are presented. A key focus of the event was the presentation of recruited researchers from around the world who work jointly with their colleagues from TU – Sofia on key, strategically important scientific directions for the university and the economies of Bulgaria and the EU. Some of the recruited researchers are alumni of TU – Sofia, which provides an excellent opportunity to share experience and knowledge accumulated during their work abroad. This supports the development of a more sustainable and stable scientific ecosystem.

Within the framework of the event, the Knowledge and Technology Transfer Center was also presented. The Technical University – Sofia holds 77 patents and utility models, which represent about 90 percent of all inventions and utility models created by Bulgarian higher education institutions. Many of the innovative developments find direct application in a number of industrial companies.

Deputy Minister of Innovations and Growth Prof. Georgi Angelov stated that projects related to stimulating research universities are important for the development of research and scientific capacity and for its application in practice. The Ministry of Innovations and Growth pursues policies to encourage scientific research with a practical orientation. This is in line with Bulgaria's innovation priorities, laid down in the Strategy for Smart Specialization, and more specifically in areas with high added value - Space, chips, and innovations in defense. Prof. Angelov wished for the project to continue its successful implementation and to lead to applied results, alongside scientific research achievements.

Ivan Mihaylov, CEO of the American Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria (AmCham) and Chairman of the Advisory Board for the project, stated that the project is evidence of successful work on the Recovery and Resilience Plan. He said that the development of TU-Sofia in recent years is an example of strategic vision, scientific dedication, and effective partnerships. This places the Technical University – Sofia at the heart of the European research map. According to him, the project transforms the way science is done at TU-Sofia and, thanks to it, creates a sustainable platform for interdisciplinary research, international cooperation, and industrial application of innovations. According to him, this is an investment not only in the future of the university but also in the future of the Bulgarian, European, and global economies.

Milena Damyanova, Director of the "Science" Directorate at the Ministry of Education and Science, identified TU – Sofia as one of the best research universities. The Ministry of Education and Science welcomes ambitious initiatives to join global research networks. The quality of scientific research, the attraction and integration of foreign researchers, and professionalism in project management are noted as positive aspects.

During the intensive three-day meetings, all scientific groups of the university presented their work.

Project No.: BG-RRP-2.004-0005 "Improving the research capacity and quality for international recognition and sustainability of TU-Sofia", National Recovery and Resilience Plan, BG-RRP-2.004 – Creating a network of research higher education institutions in Bulgaria