Plovdiv Week 2026: Technical University of Sofia Hosts the European University of Technology (EUt+) Week in Plovdiv

The meeting also marks the beginning of a joint project between two European university alliances.

The official opening of the regular EUt+ working week took place in the unique atmosphere of the Bishop’s Basilica of Philippopolis – a site with a history dating back to the 4th-6th centuries, where the cultural heritage of ancient Plovdiv met the future of European education and science.

 

The meeting also marked the beginning of a joint four-year European project called Valorwide, funded under the Horizon Europe programme. It brings together two European alliances – the European University of Technology (EUt+) and the European Consortium of Innovative Universities (ECIU) – along with Reutlingen University (Germany), Steinbeis Europa Zentrum / Steinbeis 2i GmbH (Germany), and Fondazione HIT – Hub Innovazione Trentino (Italy).

Partners from 11 European countries – Bulgaria, Germany, Cyprus, Latvia, Ireland, Spain, Italy, France, Romania, Lithuania, and Poland – will work side by side towards the creation of start-ups, technology transfer, and the valorization of knowledge.

The main objective of the project is to foster the transformation of scientific knowledge and research into practically applicable innovations, technologies and solutions for industry. The emphasis is on the digitalization of industry, the application of artificial intelligence, and the development of industrial ecosystems in line with the concept of Industry 5.0.

The European Commissioner for Start-ups, Research, and Innovation Ekaterina Zaharieva also expressed her support for the initiative. In a video address to the participants, she said that the European University of Technology (EUt+) alliance has already clearly shown what universities can achieve when they work together. 

The rector of TU-Sofia, Prof. Dr. Georgi Venkov, emphasized that cooperation between the universities will strengthen education and research, expand opportunities for students and faculty members, and can contribute to resolving the technological and societal challenges that Europe is facing. 

“The scientific and project-related activities of EUt+ go hand in hand with the promotion of Bulgaria’s cultural and historical heritage and the preservation of our national identity – an important aspect of European cooperation”, said Prof. Dr. Lidia Galabova, Vice-Rector for International Affairs and Integration.

Alongside the cultural events that will allow the international guests to experience the rich historical and archaeological heritage of Plovdiv, the program also includes thematic working sessions, discussions, and meetings focused on key aspects of the development of the European University of Technology.

Among the main topics are collaborative research, the development of European research groups and institutes, entrepreneurship and innovation, technology transfer and cooperation with industry, as well as the quality of research and education. 

The participants are discussing the development of the Alliance’s shared innovation ecosystem, as well as initiatives to establish a European School of Entrepreneurship (EUt+ Entrepreneurship School).

The program also includes meetings between the rectors of the nine partner universities, presided over by the Rector of Technical University of Sofia, Prof. Georgi Venkov, as well as meetings of the student councils within the EUt+ Alliance. The focus of the discussions is on closer integration among the universities, the development of joint educational and research initiatives, and the creation of new opportunities for students, lecturers, and researchers.