site.btaUniversity of Economics Rector Calls for Introduction of Three-Year University Studies

University programmes in Bulgaria should take three years to be completed, said Prof Evgeni Stanimirov, Rector of the University of Economics (UE) in Varna, at the official opening of a Careers Forum at the university here on Tuesday. 

He specified that this will ensure faster access of young people to the labour market and encourage mobility, adding that UE has partner institutions in Finland, Germany and the UK with recognition of double diplomas. "However, the studies in these countries take three years, whereas here they take four years. It is laughable to think that a young person coming to Bulgaria from these countries will want to study for another year to get a Bulgarian diploma, instead of entering the labour market", Stanimirov argued. 

Stanimirov also said that there should be mandatory internships after each year in several fields, instead of internships only after the third year of studies. According to him, the law should include texts that allow a balanced mix between theoretical knowledge and practical skills in the education process of young people. "Now we partner very well with companies, but the law imposes restrictions that only 10% of the curriculum are allowed to be held by lecturers-entrepreneurs", Stanimirov noted.

He proposed that students in state-subsidised education with low grades should be transferred to paid admission, while students from paid admission who excel in their fields of study should have the right to switch to state-subsidised education. Stanimirov added that for this procedure to work, clear criteria for reclassification at the end of each year for all students should be introduced in the law on higher education. He emphasised that this annual reclassification will ensure that young people make a much more serious effort to study. According to him, admissions to universities should be reduced in general, with a sharp increase in the subsidy per enrolled student in the underfunded fields.

Stanimirov proposed the introduction of an unified system for the attestation of professors, instead of the right for each university to determine the attestation by itself. According to him, it is proper to introduce a credit system with a flexible curriculum in higher education, as such a system will have the capacity to evaluate lecturers effectively. It will also allow young people greater flexibility, i.e. to take their courses and work simultaneously, Stanimirov summarised.