site.btaEducation Minister Tsokov Meets with Chinese Ambassador in Bulgaria Dai Qingli

The number of Chinese students in Bulgarian higher education institutions has increased significantly in recent years. This became clear during a meeting between the Minister of Education and Science Prof. Galin Tsokov and the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China in Bulgaria Dai Qingli, which took place at the Ministry of Education and Science on Tuesday.

"At the beginning of 2023 there were a little more than 200 Chinese students in Bulgaria, but with the joint efforts of the two countries the number has already reached 500," Ambassador Dai Qingli said, pointing out that in 2024 the Institute for Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, and Technology (INSAIT) welcomed its first students sent under the Chinese Ministry of Education's fund supporting students abroad.

Tsokov noted that in recent years many Chinese students have been studying arts and music in particular at the National Academy of Music. He commented that the number of students studying Chinese in Bulgaria is also increasing, noting the good work of the two Confucius Institutes - at Sofia University and the University of Veliko Tarnovo.

Dai Qingli announced that the Chinese Embassy will organize a videoconference conversation of Bulgarian pupils and students with Chinese astronauts in space. The event will be held at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS), and the necessary equipment has been provided. Students will have the opportunity to ask questions to the astronauts in a live video call.

The discussion was also attended by Deputy Minister of Education and Science Nikolay Vitanov and the directors of the Science and International Cooperation Directorates at the Education Ministry, Milena Damyanova and Veselina Ganeva.