site.btaFive More Bulgarian Higher Education Institutions Join Alliances with European Universities

Five more Bulgarian higher education institutions joined alliances with European universities. The Veliko Tarnovo University, the Angel Kanchev University in Ruse, Academy of Economics in Svishtov, the University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy in Sofia and the Burgas Free University, said the Ministry of Education and Science on Monday.

The higher schools were included after applying for funding with project proposals under the Erasmus+ programme for 2024 and being approved by the European Commission. Thus Bulgaria currently participates with a total of 13 universities, partners of European networks. Three other Bulgarian higher schools are associated partners.

Joining the consortia improves the quality of education, the competitiveness of individual institutions and provides the opportunity for students to study in several countries, the Ministry noted.

In the next four years, the European Commission has earmarked a total of 14.4 EUR million for the development of alliances. The Ministry of Education and Science will provide 20% of the financing of the Bulgarian state higher education institutions that are partners in the consortia. A national program is also being developed to ensure this support in the future.

Higher education institutions come together in networks to develop long-term cooperation for the benefit of students, teachers and society. Some of the alliances are comprehensive, covering various disciplines, while others are focused on specific areas such as healthcare, digitalization, art, engineering, etc.

From the month of June 2024, the European alliances are increasing with 14 new networks involving 130 universities. Higher education institutions from 35 countries, including those outside the European Union, participate in the consortia.

The Bulgarian higher schools that are partners in the European alliances include; the Agricultural University in Plovdiv (UNIgreen), the University of Veliko Tarnovo (OpenEU); the Medical University in Sofia (INGENIUM); the  National Academy for Theater and Film Arts- FilmEU+); Angel Kanchev University in Ruse (Across); Sofia University (T4EU);  Academy of Economics in Svishtov (KreativEU); Technical University in Sofia (EUt+); University of National and World Economy, Sofia (ENGAGE.EU); University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy, Sofia (BAUHAUS4EU); Burgas Free University (EUNICoast); University of Agribusiness and Rural Development (INVEST) and New Bulgarian University (ERUA).

The Southwest University in Blagoevgrad, the University of Economics in Varna and Medical University in Pleven are associated partners.