European Polytechnic University in Pernik Offers "Diverse, Innovative Courses"

Filip Pavlov, BTA correspondent Elitsa Ivanova

European Polytechnic University Rector Prof Ivan Petkov at a conference in Pernik within the BTA project "Europe on Balkans: Cohesion Skills", January 24, 2025 (BTA Photo/Milena Stoykova)

Pernik, Western Bulgaria,

24.01.2025 15:35

(BTA)

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The courses of study offered by the European Polytechnic University in Pernik are diverse, innovative and in line with European requirements, said Rector Prof Ivan Petkov at a local conference within BTA's project "Europe on Balkans: Cohesion Skills" at the BTA National Press Club on Friday.

The European Polytechnic University in Pernik is the first private engineering university in Bulgaria and currently offers courses in Civil Engineering, Green Energy, Industrial Design and Applied Informatics, among others, Petkov said. He added that master's programmes in Electromobility and Renewable Energy Management are planned as well.

"We have nine accredited master’s degree programmes in the four main areas," Petkov noted, pointing out that the programmes in which there is great interest (Seismic Construction, Preservation of Buildings, Facilities and Cultural Monuments) as well as the master’s programmes focus on Green Energy.

Petkov commented that Bulgaria has EU funding for a programme related to artificial intelligence that will become mandatory for all civil engineers in 2026. "Last year, we accredited a PhD programme that enjoys exceptional interest, but unfortunately, [only] from abroad. It covers renewable energy and we have about 20 candidates from Austria, Hungary and Switzerland," he emphasized. "Our projects are innovative, but we also need advertising, because the interest in our university is currently from foreign students, and with advertising we could attract more students in Bulgaria," Petkov stressed.

Petkov also pointed out that the university is developing as a whole, but still relies on the Municipality for projects under European programmes, through which renewable energy sources can be installed in Pernik Region. The university also actively participates, with American and Chinese companies, in the development of a programme for the absorption of carbon monoxide from thermal power plants to obtain nitrogen fertilizers.

Through the Europe on Balkans: Cohesion Skills project, BTA aims to raise public awareness and foster open dialogue about cohesion policy, local achievements, and the implementation of the EU's policy priorities. The project kicked off with a conference in Veliki Preslav in November 2024. Until September 2025, BTA will host discussions at its press clubs in the following cities: Blagoevgrad, Burgas, Varna, Veliko Tarnovo, Vidin, Vratsa, Gabrovo, Dobrich, Kazanlak, Kardzhali, Kyustendil, Lovech, Montana, Pazardzhik, Pernik, Pleven, Razgrad, Ruse, Samokov, Svishtov, Sliven, Smolyan, Sofia, Stara Zagora, Troyan, Targovishte, Haskovo, Shumen, and Yambol. Cross-border conferences will be held in Belgrade, Bosilegrad, Bucharest, Edirne, Skopje, and Thessaloniki. The project builds on the Europe in the Balkans: A Common Future and Europe in Bulgaria: A Common Future projects, implemented by BTA in 2023 and 2024, respectively.

/RY, VE/