History

The idea of establishing the first higher technical school in Bulgaria – the institution to which Technical University of Sofia is the modern-day successor – originates with a bequest of 6 million gold leva from Evlogi Georgiev on July 9, 1897. His wish is for these funds to contribute to the "prosperity and greatness of the homeland." Thanks to the efforts of Ivan Evstatiev Geshov – the executor of the will, and generations of Bulgarian scientists and engineers, the initiative for the creation of a higher engineering school based on the European model emerges. 
However, it will take four more decades for this dream to see the light of day.

In the autumn of 1903, Prof. Ivan Shishmanov, then Minister of Public Education, proposes a bill regarding the Board of Trustees of Brothers Evlogi and Hristo Georgievi from Karlovo University. 

This bill marks the first attempt to interpret the donors' will. Instead of the funds being allocated to establish a higher technical school, as the engineering community desired, the funds are put toward the construction of a building for Sofia University. 

Bulgarian engineers and architects strongly objected at the time, deeming such interpretation unacceptable and against the donors' wishes. 

Efforts to establish higher engineering education continue in the early XX century with the proposal to create a technical faculty at Sofia University. 

In November 1906, the Ministry of Public Education appoints a special committee to draft a plan for the establishment of the new faculty. A technical department, provided for in the University Act, is inaugurated in 1907, and young Bulgarian engineers are appointed as private docents (i.e. associate professors). However, just months later, a student demonstration against the rule of Prince Ferdinand during the opening of the National Theatre provokes a harsh reaction. On the very next day, by a decree of the Council of Ministers, the University is closed for six months. All faculty members, including the newly appointed associate professors of the technical department, are dismissed. The 1907/1908 academic year begins with foreign lecturers and former high school teachers and the development of higher technical education is once again postponed. 

On March 5, 1909, a new Law on Public Education is approved, providing for the establishment of technical and agronomic faculties at Sofia University. However, the implementation is postponed indefinitely. 

The Bulgarian Engineering and Architectural Society raises the issue once again on May 14, 1914. The Board of Trustees appoints a five-member committee to press for the immediate execution of the will of Evlogi Georgiev – the “deceased patriot”. 

Through appeals, letters, and public statements, the Society persistently advocates for the establishment of a Bulgarian higher engineering school. After all, the benefactor has explicitly stipulated that the primary disciplines at the future university should be positive sciences with industry applications. 

In 1933, the Bulgarian Engineering and Architectural Society proposes the establishment of a “unified technical research institute”. The proposal provides for the academic autonomy of the institute and for the necessary laboratories needed to cover various engineering fields. The proposal’s goal is to stimulate the development of higher technical education and applied sciences in Bulgaria. Being way ahead of its time, the initiative remains unfulfilled, but it does demonstrate the persistent drive to establish a modern engineering educational institution. 

According to the officially published "List of Technicians with Higher Education Who Acquired the Right to Independent Technical Practice in the Kingdom by October 1, 1935", the number of qualified specialists in the country exceeds 2,300. 

The largest groups are: 

These figures clearly indicate that Bulgaria needs a dedicated higher technical institution, where future professionals can study and prepare to meet the growing demand of industry and infrastructure.
 

In 1939, the Minister of Public Education Bogdan Filov appoints a committee which includes representatives of several ministries, of Sofia Municipality, and of the Bulgarian Engineering and Architectural Society. The Committee’s task is to examine the feasibility of establishing a technical faculty at Sofia University. Representatives of the engineering community advocate for a separate, autonomous higher technical school, not just a faculty. 

At the Second Regular Session of the Bulgarian Engineering and Architectural Society, the engineering community firmly insists on the establishment of an autonomous higher technical school. This marks a turning point as the professional community no longer simply supports, but demands, the establishment of a Bulgarian technical academy. 

With the active participation of engineers, a new bill is drafted and submitted to the 25th Ordinary National Assembly on May 28, 1941. On June 12 of the same year, the Act on the Higher Technical School in Sofia is promulgated. It is established as a state school with two faculties: Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture and Faculty of Industrial Technology. The Act stipulates a five-year timeframe for the full establishment of the departments and even specifies their names. 

On October 4, 1942, at the height of World War II, the Higher Technical School in Sofia is inaugurated in the Great Hall of Sofia University. Dr. Eng. Yurdan Danchov assumes the position of acting rector. Despite the hardships of the war years, academic activities begin with enthusiasm; however, the 1944 air raids on Sofia lead to the school’s evacuation to Lovech and a temporary suspension of classes. 

A decree-law is promulgated establishing the Construction of Buildings for the State Polytechnic – Sofia Fund, the purpose of which is to finance the construction and furnishing of the academic buildings and laboratories of all faculties. 

The first elected rector is Prof. Eng. Vasil Peevski; the first vice-rector is Prof. Arch. Stancho Belkovski.
Prof. Georgi Bradistilov (Faculty of Civil Engineering) and Assoc. Prof. Karl Slavomirov (Faculty of Mechanical Engineering) become the first deans. Among the first faculty members one could find the names of Prof. Boris Popov, Prof. Mincho Zlatev, and Assoc. Prof. Sazdo Ivanov – future champions of engineering education in our country. 

With the promulgation of the "Decree-Law on Amendments and Supplements to the Law on the Higher Technical School", the Higher Technical School in Sofia officially receives its new name – State Polytechnic. The school has two faculties – one of Civil Engineering and one of Mechanical Engineering. The decision is prepared by a decree of the Council of Ministers on September 27, 1945, and is approved by Regent Decree No. 237 on October 17 of the same year. 

The initial appointments of full and associate professors, approved by the Academic Council, are made. 

Among them are Prof. Georgi Angelov, Prof. Mincho Zlatev, Prof. Angel Balevski, Prof. Grigor Uzunov, Prof. Nancho Nanchev, Prof. Sazdo Ivanov, and Prof. Vasil Gerov – figures regarded today as the architects of Bulgarian higher technical education. 

In 1949, two new programs launch within the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering – Mining Engineering and Engineering Geology. In 1951, the faculty is divided into four: Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mining Engineering, and Faculty of Industrial Chemistry. 

By Decree No. 231 of the Presidium of the National Assembly, State Polytechnic is divided into four autonomous higher education institutions:
  – Institute of Civil Engineering,
  – Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering,
  – Institute of Chemical Technology,
  – Institute of Mining and Geology.
 
Thus begins a new stage in the development of engineering education in Bulgaria.

At present, Technical University of Sofia has established itself among the leading engineering higher education institutions in Europe. Over 10,000 Bulgarian and nearly 1,000 foreign students are enrolled in the professional bachelor, bachelor, master, and PhD programs. The curricula are synchronized with universities in Germany, France, and England, and the credit transfer system ensures student mobility and full recognition of studied disciplines and passed exams.
Thanks to its international agreements and scientific developments implemented in industry, the University annually provides up to 20% of its budget through its own revenue.
 
In response to the digital transformation, TU-Sofia expands e-learning and increases the number of programs taught in English. The University’s faculty and students regularly win awards at prestigious national and international forums. Over the years, the University has prepared over 100,000 engineers and has played a key role in the establishment and development of the technical universities in Varna and Gabrovo.
 
The academic community of Technical University of Sofia continues to actively seek solutions for a sustainable and innovative future for the engineering education in Bulgaria.