site.btaBulgaria's Council of Rectors Discuss Cooperation with Turkish Universities

A meeting between the Council of Rectors and representatives of renowned Turkish universities took place at the University of Telecommunications and Post, the Council of Rectors reported here on Friday. Guests of the Bulgarian rectors were Prof. Dr Harun Ciftci, rector of Cankiri Karatekin University, Prof. Dr Fatih Kirisik, rector of Karabuk University, as well as representatives of several other universities in the Republic of Turkiye.

The meeting was organized in cooperation with Ilin Dimitrov, Secretary to the President for Education, Culture and Tourism.

The event was attended by Prof. Ivaylo Koprev, rector of University of Mining and Geology St. Ivan Rilski; Prof. Daniela Todorova, rector of the Higher School of Transport Todor Kableshkov; Prof. Dr Krasimira Staneva, rector of the Varna University of Management; Council of Rectors Chair and rector of the University of Telecommunications and Post, Prof. Dr Miglena Temelkova. The event also saw participation from the University of Forestry, the University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy in Sofia, Rakovski National Defence College, the University of Library Studies and Information Technologies and VUZF University.

In her address to the Turkish delegation, Temelkova said: "It was very important for us to conduct this meeting, because just as we are positioned on the two sides of a border, we could also meet the two educational paradigms." She emphasized the importance of discussing the path of joint cooperation.

Dimitrov reported that the agenda included the idea of establishing a joint organization comprised of rectors both from Bulgaria and Turkiye. He added: "We are optimistic about the Bulgarian universities' openness and their readiness for international activity and cooperation. We hope that this meeting will be the beginning, the laying of the foundations, of this cooperation with the Council of Rectors and their Turkish counterpart."

Temelkova said: "I propose that we establish not just a joint organization between Bulgaria and Turkiye but also educational alliances that would give birth to common educational products. Just as Europe has educational alliances, why not create Balkan educational alliances? [...] I would very much like us to find a common approach and to boost together science and education and cultural and linguistic exchange."