site.btaNew Academic Year Opens at Sofia University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy

The new academic year opened at Sofia University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy (UACEG) on Monday. In an address on the occasion, Regional Development and Public Works Minister Ivan Ivanov, whom was among the official guests, said that the university is a model of excellence and high professionalism in education.

Among the guests were also Environment and Water Minister Manol Genov, Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov and parliamentary education committee chair Andrei Tchobanov.

"Today, being part of the student community at UACEG is not only a path toward future professional realization, but also an opportunity for self-discovery, bringing ideas to life, and most importantly – building lifelong friendships. The construction sector needs all specialties – and so does our country. I believe that each and every student has both the talent and the patriotism to contribute a part of themselves toward a better, modern, and beautiful Bulgaria, because generations of builders of modern Bulgaria have come through UACEG," said Regional Development Minister Ivanov.

"I am genuinely moved and honored to be here today for the opening of the new academic year. One can't help but feel a sense of pride when entering the building of one of Bulgaria’s most prestigious universities. The history of UACEG, through all these decades, has been an inseparable part of Bulgaria’s progress. Here, professionals are trained who later play a key role in the development of our country and the quality of life of its people. There are dozens, even hundreds of names – professors, architects, and engineers – who have left a lasting mark on the building of the Republic of Bulgaria," said Environment Minister Genov.

"My team always prepares very thoroughly – they usually write me 20 pages of speeches – but considering you're young people and probably tired of long addresses, I’ll start from a different angle. I imagine all of you are aware of where you are. I wish you all to avoid slipping into 'winter hibernation' – because nothing memorable ever comes from sleep. The energy sector needs you – specifically, it needs twelve lecture halls filled with young people like you, just like the one we’re in right now. Twelve halls for building the 7th and 8th units of the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant. All the official guests here today have come for one reason – to fight for you, once you graduate from UACEG. But it’s up to you when and how you graduate – so that the interest in you continues long after you’ve left these halls," said Energy Minister Stankov.

Among the VIP guests were also Nikolay Valkanov, Chairman of the Board of the Bulgarian Chamber of Mining and Geology; Sofia University rector Prof. Dr. Georgi Valchev; University of National and World Economy Rector Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov; Ivan Markov, Former UACEG Rector (2016–2023); BTA Director General Kiril Valchev;Union of Architects in Bulgaria Chairman Petar Dikov; Chamber of Engineers in the Investment Design Sector Chair Marin Gergov; Chamber of Builders in Bulgaria Chair Ilian Terziev; Chamber of Builders Deputy Chair Lyubomir Kachamakov; Association of Geodetic Firms Chair Tsvetan Georgiev; Agency for Geodesy, Cartography, and Cadastre Executive Director Georgi Georgiev; Lozenets District Mayor Konstantin Pavlov; Regional College of the Chamber of Architects in Bulgaria Chair Vasil Vasilev; Military Geographic Service Head Svetoslav Tsarovski; and Rakovski Military Academy Deputy Head Anton Vankov.

In the 2024/25 academic year, 16,995 foreign students, including from EU Member States, enrolled in Bulgarian universities. The largest number of international students came from Greece (3,277), the United Kingdom (2,235), Ukraine (2,151), Germany (1,532) and Italy (990). A growing number of international students and doctoral candidates, including from Western Europe, are choosing to study in Bulgaria, with 779 additional enrolments in 2024/25 compared with the previous academic year. BTA has signed indefinite agreements for ongoing collaboration with 45 of Bulgaria's 51 universities to provide copyright-cleared materials and student internship opportunities.