site.btaSofia University's GATE Institute Awarded Silver i-Space Label for Fostering Data Innovation

The GATE Institute at the St Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia has been awarded the Silver i-Space Label by the Big Data Value Association (BDVA), the university's press center said.

The award was presented to GATE Institute Director Sylvia Ilieva at a formal ceremony at the European Big Data Value Forum in Budapest. It reinforces GATE's role as a key player in the development and promotion of innovation in big data, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital technologies at both the national and European level.

BDVA has created the i-Space label to distinguish data-driven innovation hubs that foster AI development across Europe. Every year, hubs can obtain the label after an evaluation process based on a set of criteria, including availability of high-tech infrastructure, scope and innovativeness of the services offered, participation in international projects, and overall impact on the data ecosystem. The label is granted in five grades: Starter, Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. These grades are aligned with the maturity and potential impact of the candidates.

The aim of GATE i-Space is to support the development and implementation of high-tech solutions based on big data and AI and to provide third parties with resources and services. It enables rapid prototyping and real-world experimentation, showcasing the value of technology and data in a variety of settings. GATE i-Space's core services are based on a high-tech infrastructure integrating a software tool palette and a data platform covering the entire data lifecycle (collection and structuring, processing, analysis, and visualization) and three innovation labs. Additional services include training programmes to improve data competence and expertise, technical support performance, and consulting for the development of new business models and data management.

GATE i-Space aims to promote data-driven innovation in Bulgaria and Europe. It is also a key driver in national and international initiatives related to the creation of data spaces in mobility, health, and urban development.

With its Silver i-Space status, GATE consolidates its key role in shaping Europe's data-driven digital future. The GATE institute opened its new high-tech building in Sofia on December 5, 2023. It is located on the Sofia University campus on James Bourchier boulevard. Its architecture suggests the institute's important role as a leading research centre for emerging technologies, whose mission is to revolutionize people's lives through the latest advances in science.