"Virtual Forum for Education and Professional Development" 2020, organized by the French Institute in Bulgaria and the Campus France Paris Agency

On November 20, the first "Virtual Forum for Education and Career Development" 2020 will take place, organized by the French Institute in Bulgaria and the Campus France Paris Agency. More than 20 universities from France will participate. Among them is the Faculty of French Training in Electrical Engineering at TU - Sofia. On this occasion, we speak with Mr. Svetoslav Milanov, Attaché for University Cooperation at the Embassy of the French Republic in Bulgaria.

1. Mr. Milanov, what is the main goal that the forum sets for itself this year?

The event is part of the global policy to promote French higher education and Francophone programs in Bulgaria, carried out for many years by the French Institute in Bulgaria, and is aimed at students and partner universities. France is the fourth country in the world in terms of accepting foreign students and sixth in terms of accepting Bulgarian students. The French higher education system includes 73 universities, over 200 higher engineering schools of business and management, 120 state higher schools of art, 20 schools of architecture, and more than 3000 specialized higher schools and institutes.  In 5 Bulgarian universities, 12 Francophone programs are offered in the fields of: electrical engineering and informatics, chemical and biochemical engineering, industrial logistics, economics and business administration, political science, hotel and restaurant management, European law, applied foreign languages for administration and management, Francophonie, multilingualism, and international mediation. With the participation of companies established in the Bulgarian market, this event also aims to strengthen the dialogue between universities and companies, so that students have the opportunity to study programs adapted to the labor market, and young graduates can find suitable jobs.

2. The Faculty of French Engineering Training at TU – Sofia will also be represented at the event. What is your opinion on the relationship you have developed with the faculty? In what direction can cooperation still be sought?

Long-term fruitful cooperation connects the French Institute in Bulgaria and the Faculty of French Training at TU – Sofia. I am pleased that the accreditation of the French commission for engineering degrees has been renewed and the evaluation is extremely high. The quality of the education offered in this program is evidenced by the large number of students enrolled for the 2020/2021 academic year. The direction in which our cooperation will continue to develop is internships, which we would like to provide for students from the program at French educational institutions and companies.

3. Obviously, this is a significant Francophone forum. How can interested parties participate in the event?

To participate in the forum, registration is mandatory, followed by scheduling a meeting with representatives of the selected educational institutions and/or companies. The website  www.salonejudesetcarrieres.bg allows online registration and the creation of an individual schedule of meetings with representatives of educational institutions and companies, as well as participation in webinars. The forum will offer 3 sections: Section "EDUCATION", where French higher education institutions, as well as representatives of Francophone programs in Bulgaria, will inform about the educational programs offered for the 2021 academic year and the related professional opportunities. Section "CAREER", where representatives of companies in Bulgaria will meet in individual interviews with students and graduates to clarify the specifics of the internships and job positions they offer. Section "WEBINARS", conferences of university lecturers and professionals on acquiring techniques and knowledge necessary for studying at higher education institutions, as well as practical skills for seeking internships or employment.