site.btaBTA Signs Cooperation Agreement with Varna University of Management, Plans to Sign with All Bulgarian Universities by Year-End

Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) Director General Kiril Valchev signed a cooperation agreement with the President of Varna University of Management (VUM) Assoc. Prof. Todor Radev at BTA's press club here on Friday. This is BTA's 38th contract with a higher education institution, and the Agency plans to sign a similar agreement with the remaining 13 Bulgarian universities by the end of the year, Valchev said.

BTA already has contracts with four Varna universities. The goal is to provide systematic information from Bulgarian universities. "In this way we hope to teach universities to regularly present different aspects of their activities," Valchev said.

He urged VUM to be a partner of the annual tourism forums organized by BTA and to have prominent lecturers and students take part in those forums. "These meetings aim to formulate messages about what we want to say to the world in the particular tourist season," Valchev said.

Radev praised BTA for its cooperation with Bulgarian universities, as it enables the achievements of higher education to reach a wider audience. He reported that VUM hosts events and scientific forums with speakers from around the world. About 100-120 foreign students from about 50 countries are admitted annually. One problem that remains is how to ease the visa regime for the numerous applicants, Radev added.

The purpose of the agreement between BTA and VUM is to promote, develop and popularize the university's activities and initiatives. It also intends to have BTA offer internships to VUM students.