Students from University of Economics in Varna Present Innovative Ideas at BTA Hackathon

BTA correspondent Mila Edreva, Filip Pavlov, BTA correspondent Danail Voykov

Students during BTA's hackathon at University of Economics in Varna, April 15, 2025 (BTA Photo/Hristo Stefanov)

Varna, on the Black Sea,

15.04.2025 14:16

(BTA)

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Students from the University of Economics in Varna presented their ideas at a hackathon organized by BTA on Tuesday.

The competition was held within the framework of BTA's Europe on Balkans: Cohesion Skills project, which BTA implements with the support of the European Commission. The main focus of the hackaton was the challenges facing managers in the new era, related to digitalization and the green transition. The task of the student teams was to develop an innovative tool that would enable managers to lead the green-digital transition even in low-tech companies. In addition, the young people had to take into account the social element when applying their tool.

The ideas presented by the four teams were mainly related to the development of new platforms. The jury distinguished an ideas for creating a platform for training older people and an idea for creating a platform for training tourism personnel as the best among all ideas. All participants in the hackathon were congratulated by BTA Director General Kiril Valchev, Deputy Rector Vladimir Dosev, Deputy Rector Bistra Vasileva, and Tsvetan Spasov, Head of the Operational Programme Human Resources Development (OP HRD).

Valchev addressed the students and emphasized that it important for them to recognize that whatever new ideas they have, they are based on traditions. He pointed out this is also how BTA operates, because although the telegraph has long been out of use, the agency still keeps it in its name.

Valchev said that BTA has the largest network of correspondents in the country. Its main role is to report and share news about events in Bulgaria and worldwide. "The project aims is to inspire other young people by telling about your inspiring ideas," Valchev said, encouraging young people to remain in their homeland and pursue their careers here. "You can be an entrepreneur in Bulgaria, too, you don't have to go to the other side of the world to realize your ideas," he stressed.

Valchev shared two Bible stories with the young people, encouraging them to keep developing their talents and to do everything wholeheartedly, filling their actions with love and kindness.

Spasov told young people about the opportunities for qualification, requalification and training offered by OP HRD. He noted that a good manager must have knowledge, but also many skills, adding that 12 qualities are needed to lead successfully. Among them are quick decision-making, delegation of rights, emotional intelligence, time management and motivating people by personal example.

Business representatives at the hackathon also informed participants about the qualities of a good manager.

BTA's Europe on Balkans: Cohesion Skills project 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. The schedule of conferences until the end of September 2025 includes events 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/