The UNWE was a host of working meeting on the Programme COST - COST ACTION СА 16114 “REthinking Sustainability TOwards a Regenerative Economy’ (RESTORE). The Heads of working groups discussed the issues of round economy. 

During the meeting in the Large Conference Hall

As representatives of the Business Faculty of UNWE in the meeting took part Prof. Dr. Diana Kopeva, Head of WG1.4., Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nikolay Shterev, Deputy Head of WG1.4., Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dimitar Blagoev, Assist. Dr. Monika Sabeva and Doctoral student Gergana Kirkova. 

Prof. Dr. Diana Kopeva and Carlo Batisti, Head of the meeting

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rayna Koycheva from the Private Legal Studies Department at Law Faculty of UNWE delivered a public lecture to students and lecturers from the Law Faculty of the University of Management Technologies and Economics in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Assoc. Prof. G. A. Kostin, Vice Rector for Scientific Activity of St. Petersburg University  is presenting Assoc. Prof. Koycheva

The lecture of Assoc. Prof. Koycheva was on the Labour Borrowing in the Bulgarian Legislation: Perspectives for a Dialogue between the National Legal Systems. The numerous questions by the attendees proved the interest in the chosen topic and its actuality. 

During the lecture of Prof. Koycheva

Assoc. Prof. Koycheva took also part in the Round Table Conference on the Untraditional Resources of Private Law in the National Legal Systems organized by the Civil Law Department of St. Petersburg University. Our lecturer presented her report on the Collective Labour Agreement as Specific Non-State Resource of Labour Law – Analysis of Bulgarian Legislation. 

Duscussions during the Round Table Conference

A record number of first year students - 177 will study in specialities Business Administration, Economics and Accountancy and Control at the Regional Center for Distance Learning (RCDL) – Haskovo during the new academic year which was opened on 7 October. At the opening ceremony attended Assoc. Prof. Dr. Stela Raleva, Vice Rector for Education in EQD of Master and Distance Learning, Prof. Dr. Daniela Feschiyan, Deputy Director of RCDL and Head of speciality Accountancy and Control, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vanya Ivanova, Head of speciality Economics and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tsvetana Stoyanova, Scientific Secretary of the Management Department. 

During the opening ceremony (from the right to the left) Prof. Feschiyan, Assoc. Prof. Raleva, Assoc. Prof. Ivanova and Assoc. Prof. Stoyanova)

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Stela Raleva greeted the first year students on behalf of the Rector of UNWE and opened the new academic year. “Today you become part of the largest and the most prestigious Bulgarian university which prepares the economic elite of our nation”, said Assoc. Prof. Raleva. She outlined that the RCDL – Haskovo is the largest and the most successful center for distance learning in the country.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vanya Ivanova presented the academic plan and the specifics of education in speciality Economics and wished the students to have as useful as nice experience in the upcoming four years at the RCDL – Haskovo.  

First year students

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tsvetana Stoyanova presented the academic plan and opportunities of education in speciality Business Administration. In today`s highly competitive and commercialized world it is compulsory to get benefits from the best education provided at the market. I think that`s the education at the UNWE, pointed out Assoc. Prof. Stoyanova.

Prof. Dr. Daniela Feschiyan presented the specilaity Accountancy and Control and the specifics of distance learning. She outlined that the UNWE is highly technological university and the current first year students would have electronic Student Book for the first time. 

During the Plenary Session of the Economic and Social Council (ESC) held on 9 October 2017 the Chairman of the Council Prof. Dr. Lalko Dulevsky awarded the distinct Honorary Sign of ESC to Prof. Dr. Borislav Borisov, Honorary Professor and Honorary Rector of the University of National and World Economy (UNWE). 

The award was conferred on Prof. Borislav Borisov for his overall contribution to the civil society development in the Republic of Bulgaria. As Chairman of the nationally recognized employers` organization he is one the founders of the Council and as Rector of UNWE he is the first Head of institution who has provided for the newly established Economic and Social Council the necessary working rooms, halls and offices in the building of UNWE so the Council has been given the opportunity to have official registration and begin its real activity. The seat of the Council and its activity was implemented in the building of UNWE till the end of 2003.

The members of ESC expressed their thankfulness to Prof. Borislav Borisov for his support and assistance to establish, build up and develop the Economic and Social Council of the Republic of Bulgaria. 

Prof. Mario Monti, President of Bocconi University in Milan, Italy, delivered a public lecture at the UNWE. The topic of his lecture was Can National Politics Still Support International Integration? The Case of the EU. At the meeting with the famous Italian politician attended Prof. D.Sc.(Econ.) Statty Stattev, Rector of UNWE, Ivaylo Kalfin, graduate of UNWE (special advisor of the European Commissioner for Budget and Human Resources Günther Oettinger, Vice Prime Minister in two governments, former minister and member of the European Parliament) as well as lecturers and students.

The Rector Prof. Stattev presented the guest and its rich political and academic biography.

The Rector Prof. Stattev is opening the meeting. On the right next to him: Prof. Mario Monti and Ivaylo Kalfin

Thank you for the invitation to deliver a lecture at such a prestigious and famous university as the UNWE at that in the eve of the Bulgarian Presidency of the EU Council, began his speech in the Ceremonial Hall of UNWE Prof. Mario Monti (in the picture below).

Basing on his longstanding professional experience as a Prime Minister of Italy and European Commissioner the guest featured the main problems of European integration. He pointed out that they had been originated by the bad functioning of political processes in the EU member-states. Making decisions of common European importance more politicians have in mind their national interests affected by the party, governmental and sometimes by their own benefits, pointed out Prof. Monti. According to his words the root of the issue is not the trust in the EU but the fact that politicians think more about their national interests than the common European ones. 

In the Ceremonial Hall

The peak of the international consolidation was achieved several years ago and it has already finished, outlined the lecturer. The decreased number of trade agreements in the recent years means an essential change in the dynamics of international integration, said explicitly Prof. Monti. He analyzed the reasons for that: the short-terms of political interests usually related to the election or reelection of certain politician and national interests with short horizon which do not allow investing in the future or thinking forward-looking for the long-term integration development.  

During the public lecture

There is a tendency to disintegration in the EU especially after the Brexit although the fears of its consequences are not well-grounded, pointed out Prof. Monti. He commented that a tendency of “closing the countries” had occurred because the EU itself had also been subordinated to globally acting forces. In all European countries except Italy the effect of Brexit leads to strengthening of the approval of EU and European integration, outlined the guest-lecturer. He formulated the key solution of the issue: the creation of new politics which can make a balance between the national and common European interests. 

Prof. Monti commented also the fact that Bulgaria had been exclusively advanced and would not set problems to other countries in the Eurozone so its adoption in the Eurozone would be of mutual interest.

Prof. Stattev expressed his thankfulness to Prof. Monti for his warm words and reminded that Ivaylo Kalfin had also graduated from the UNWE – the university preparing the political elite of the country – most Ministers in the current government have graduated from the UNWE.

The Rectorawarded a Certificate of Appreciation to the guest in recognition of his lecture as well as the Commemorative Medal of Stephan Bobchev – Founder and First Rector of UNWE (in the picture below). 

The students asked Prof. Monty lots of questions and he answered them thoroughly. 

Prof. Mario Monti has been European Commissioner for Internal Market, Financial Services and Tax Policy (1994 -1999) and European Commissioner for Competition Policy (1999 –2004). Since 2011 to 2013 he has been Prime Minister of Italy as well as Minister of Economy and Finance (2011 -2012. He is a Senator for life.  

Prof. Monti has been Rector of Bocconi University since 1989 to 1994 and President of Bocconi University in the period 1994 – 1999 and since 2004 up to the present. He is an author of publications in the field of monetary and financial economics, public finance, competition policy and the economic and political dimensions of European integration, etc.

Prof. D.Sc.(Econ.) Rumen Gechev, Director of the University Center for Sustainable Development and Doctoral students from the UNWE: Velichka Nikolova, Neda Muzho, Nevena Alexieva, Blagovest Tsvetkov, Mila Zasheva and Goran Angelov took active part in the International Conference on the European Economy Restart organized by the Party of European Socialists (PES) and held in Brussels on 12 October. The event included three panels: Green Workplaces of the Future, Investments for Social Convergence, Worker`s Rights Protection in the Digital Era.

Prof. Gechev (in the middle) with the Doctoral students

In the work of the Conference took part Ylva Johansson, Minister for Employment and Integration of Sweden, Matthias Machnig, State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy of Germany, Aleš Chmelar, State Secretary for European Affairs of the Czech Republic, Nicolas Schmit, Minister of Labour, Employment and the Social and Solidarity Economy of Luxemburg and Anja Kopac Mrak, Minister of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities of Slovenia. In the discussions took part also leaders of the European unions, representatives of the business and the European Investment Bank (EIB).

The special guest was Prof. Jeffrey D. Sachs, Director of the Institute of Sustainable Development at Columbia University. In his report he examined the challenges to European economy and alternative approaches for overcoming the crisis in the Eurozone. 

Memorandum of Cooperation between the UNWE and MARA University of Technology (UiTM), Malaysia was signed by the Vice Rector for Scientific Research Activity Prof. Dr. Valentin Goev and Prof. Dr. Roshima Said (in the picture below).

The document provisions cooperation between both universities in all spheres of educational and scientific research activity. The opportunities for joint organization of international scientific research and educational projects are also discussed.

Coordinator for the implementation of the Memorandum from the UNWE is Prof. Dr. Diana Kopeva, lecturer at the Economics of Natural Resources Department and Coordinator for the implementation from the UiTM is Prof. Dr. Roshima Said. 

At the signing attended (from the left to the right): Assoc. Prof. Dr. Paskal Zhelev, Secretary General for International Cooperation, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nikolay Sheterev, Head of the Industrial Business Department, Prof. Dr. Diana Kopeva, Prof. Dr. Valentin Goev, Prof. Roshima Said, Prof. Dr. Nur Zahirah, Dr. Roziya Abu, Dr. Mahadir Ladisma

In an Informational Day two projects with the participation of the Institute of Postgraduate Studies (IPS) at UNWE were presented – Partnership Policy in Support of Lifelong Learning, Innovations and the Change as well as Successful Continuity in the Family Business. At the Forum attended lecturers, representatives of state institutions as the Employment agency at Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, Bulgarian industrial Association, etc.

The Informational Day was opened by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ivan Stoychev, Director of IPS and Head of the International Economic Relations and Business Department. 

Assoc. Prof. Stoychev (on the right) and Assoc. Prof. Todorov

The projects were presented by Dr. Todor Todorov from the Human Resources and Social Protection Department who examined in details the project Partnership Policy in Support of Lifelong Learning, Innovations and the Change. It is implemented by the IPS in a partnership with Labour and Social Economy Department of the government of Flanders, Belgium and through the financial support of the Operative Programme Human Resources Development co-financed by the European Social Fund of the EU on procedure BG05M9OP001-4.001 – Transnational and Danube Partnerships for Employment and Growth. 

In the Small Conference Hall

In his presentation Assoc. Prof. Todorov outlined the objectives, tasks and challenges of the project started in September 2017 with deadline for Implementation 31 December 2018. He pointed out that the initiative is addressed to the issues related to the discrepancies between the skills demanded and offered at the labour market in Bulgaria and the province of Flanders. It is implemented through the identification and transfer of good practices, new approaches and models which could support the exchange of experience in the incorporation of social innovations related to the improve of equal access of employees to the lifelong learning. 

Participants in the Forum

The project Successful Continuity in the Family Business is implemented on the Erasmus+ Programme, sector Youth with the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry as a leading organization and participants from Bulgaria, Greece, Cyprus, Italy, Portugal and the Republic of Macedonia. It`s objective is to support the efforts of young people to become capable and effective inheritors of the family business and its target group is 18-35 years old people, pointed out Assoc. Prof. Tododrov. 

During the presentation of Assoc. Prof. Todorov

There was also a discussion on the issues of access to the lifelong learning.

Public lecture on the Logistics – the Connection with Your World delivered Evdokia Angelova, Commercial Director of Strategic Clients-Europe at the Agility and Global Account Manager of Nestle. The event was held in the Ceremonial Hall and it was the consecutive one from the cycle of lectures organized by the Logistics Department under the title Meet the Business – Be Successful in the Logistics. At the public lecture attended Assoc. Prof. Dr. Miroslava Rakovska, Head of the Logistics Department, lecturers, students and guests.

It is the first event for the present academic year in which are provisioned 3 or 4 events for semester, declared Assoc. Prof. Rakovska. She presented the guest-lecturer Evdokia Angelova, graduate of one of the first alumni of the Department. Derive the maximum knowledge from the lecture including also on the issues related to your career development, addressed to students the Head of the Department. 

Assoc. Prof. Rakovska

I hope to make you realize how the theory turns into practice, pointed out Evdokia Angelova. She determined the logistics profession as “exclusively pleasant and interesting”. When I graduated it gave me the chance to travel, meet with lots of new people, work on various projects and never turn my work in a routine, shared the lecturer. 

The guest-lecturer Evdokia Angelova

Angelova presented the company where she works, featured the stages of growth in the profession, spoke about the various kinds of transport. The lecturer emphasized on the important qualities needed to the specialist in the field of logistics - ability to work in a team, adaptiveness and customer communication skills.

According to Evdokia Angelova for the successful career in the field of logistics you need knowledge in the field of economics, finance, statistics and mathematics. At the UNWE we obtain knowledge in all spheres and it finds application even in the most unexpected moment, added the lecturer. 

During the lecture

Evdokia Angelova outlined some of the sectors of work of the logistics company – transport, consumer sector, production, technological goods, etc. According to her words the logistics is also closely related to the IT sector and graphic design.

The meeting continued with discussion between the students and the guest-lecturer. 

14^th International Scientific Conference on the Membership of Bulgaria in the European Union: Ten Years Later organized under the patronage of the Rector of UNWE Prof. D.Sc.(Econ.) Statty Stattev was held at the university. In it took part scientists from the UNWE, New Bulgarian University, St. Climent Ohridsky University of Sofia, Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov University of Bourgas, International Business School as well as representatives of academic science from Germany, Albania, Republic of Macedonia, Russia, Poland, etc.

At the opening of the Forum in the Large Conference Hall attended the Rector of UNWE Prof. D.Sc.(Econ.) Statty Stattev, Ivelina Vasileva, graduate of UNWE, Member of the Bulgarian National Assembly, Chairperson of the Environment and Water Committee and Deputy Chairperson of the Committee on European Affairs and Oversight of the European Funds, Prof. Dr. Valentin Goev, Vice Rector of UNWE, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Igor Damyanov, Dean of the International Economics and Politics Faculty, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ivan Stoychev, Head of the International Economic Relations and Business Department, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Svetla Boneva, Vice Dean of the International Economics and Politics Faculty. 

At the opening of the Conference (from the left to the right) Prof. Goev, Prof. Stattev, Mrs. Vasileva, Assoc. Prof. Damyanov, Assoc. Prof. Boneva

Prof. Stattev opened the Forum announcing that the National Evaluation and Accreditation Agency had given high assessment to UNWE for a consecutive time and even better evaluation than the one for the last six years period. It means that the UNWE continues being a “flagman” in the Bulgarian higher education and science not only from quantitative point of view but also for the quality of education, declared the Rector.  

Prof. Stattev found out a symbolic aspect in the conduction of the Conference parallel to the European leaders meeting in Brussels. He expressed his impressions of the good organization and wide national as well as international participation in the Forum. According to his words it is the reason of the resultative crossing of ideas and conclusions at international level. 

In the Large Conference Hall

Prof. Stattev traced some topics for discussion as the political integration that had anticipated the economic one. The Forum format is wide-ranged and it is expected to achieve significant results which should be given at disposal to the executive power and all the concerned institutions, pointed out the Rector.

Ivelina Vasileva expressed her thankfulness for the invitation to participate in the Conference “with a huge respect to the UNWE”. She determined the last 10 years as the time featuring the opportunities and perspectives of Bulgaria in the EU. Making balance of the achievements Mrs. Vasileva outlined “the upbringing of responsibility and awareness that the membership in the EU means not only benefits but also efforts, challenges and responsibility”.  

Prof. Statty Stattev and Ivelina Vasileva

Ivelina Vasileva presented some indicative data about our country development in the period 1 January – 31 December 2016 reflecting the budget results, increase of the purchasing power of population, EU funds resources, etc. She examined also the forthcoming Bulgarian Presidency of the EU Council and determined it as a moderator of the dialogue on the issues of security, migration, social problems, changes in the climate, etc. “What is achieved is a source of proud for anyone of us”, emphasized Mrs. Vasileva. 

Participants in the Conference

There`s no doubt that the Conference will contribute to the solvation of the issues, outlined also Assoc. Prof. Igor Damyanov. He commented on the current challenges and problems which the European Union had faced up.

The participants in the Conference were also greeted by Assoc. Prof. D.Sc.(Law) Zhivko Draganov, Dean of the Law Faculty. 

During the plenary sessions

The Forum continued with plenary reports and a closing discussion. 

Memorandum of Cooperation between the UNWE and ROSATOM Central Europe was signed by the Rector Prof. D.Sc. (Econ.) Statty Stattev and Vadim Titov, Vice President of Rusatom – International Network and Director of the Central Europe Office (in the picture below). 

The document provisions preparation and realization of programmes for student exchange between the UNWE and Russian universities as well as educational programmes including also lectures by leading Russian specialists, etc. It is also provisioned the projects development and determination of specific spheres of cooperation. For the purpose there will be formed a special working group for regular interaction between both institutions. The UNWE and ROSATOM will organize visits and meetings of their representatives and experts from various spheres of their joint activity.

“The UNWE is a leader in the Bulgarian and European educational and research area and it prepares the government, political and business elite of the country for almost one century”, outlined Prof. Stattev. “For us the cooperation with companies approved in their sphere is especially valuable because thus we make a connection between the academic activity and the real life enriching and up building the knowledge and skills of our students. The university has leading scientists, approved researchers in their fields and the opportunity to widen our scientific contacts with leading Russian scientists is one of the indisputable benefits of the cooperation set up today, emphasized the Rector.  ”

“It is an especially great honour for me to set the foundation of future cooperation between the ROSATOM and the University of National and World Economy, outlined Vadim Titov. “ROSATOM is a leading corporation in the nuclear field and the UNWE is the largest business university in the Southeastern Europe. It is a wonderful opportunity for the practical and innovative experience of our corporation to unite with the scientific potential of the university and their synergy to give greater value to the knowledge obtained by the students at your prestigious university. We hope that this first step is the beginning of a long and successful activity for both institutions. Let`s wish ourselves the results of our joint initiatives to have not only scientific and educational contribution but also to bring benefits to society at large”, added Titov.

Coordinator for the implementation of the Memorandum by the UNWE is Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov, Dean of the Economics of Infrastructure Faculty and Head of the National and Regional Security Department. 

At the signing of the Memorandum attended the members of the Rectors Council, Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov, Chief Assist. Dr. Ekaterina Bogomilova, Scientific Secretary of the National and Regional Security Department and Chief Assist. Dr. Noncho Dimitrov, lecturer at the Department

Informational meeting with Laura van Bochove from the International Recruitment Department of the Tilburg University, Netherlands was held at the UNWE. In the Scientific Councils Hall the lecturer presented the opportunities for students exchange on the Erasmus+ Programme between the UNWE and the Netherlands University.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ekaterina Tosheva, Director of the University Center for Students and Lecturers Mobility presented Laura van Bochove and opened the meeting. 

In the Scientific Councils Hall

In a short video Laura van Bochove presented Netherlands and through a quiz the students learnt more about the country, temperament and traditions of Dutch people, their national holiday and their traditional ten days carnival – the largest one in Europe. She spoke about the Dutch principles of adopting the foreign students: equal treatment, tolerance, hard work, direct and clear communication, accuracy. 

Laura van Bochove

In her presentation about the Tilburg University the guest-lecturer presented the educational opportunities and educational quality, Master`s degree programmes, opportunities for accommodation as well as for career development of students. She examined the educational programmes in English, internationality of students at the university, excellent innovative education and opportunities for professional realization. 

The entertaining educational quiz

The Tilburg University is one of the leading universities of legal, business and economic studies in Europe. It has been established in 1927 and nowadays it relies on its longstanding experience and strong traditions in lecturing as it encourages the academic development of students and prepares them in compliance with the professional requirements of modern world. The University has excellent facilities for scientific research and cooperation agreements with more than 100 foreign universities as the Cornell University, New York, University of Barcelona, Glasgow University, National University of Singapore, Peking University in Beijing, etc. The Faculty of Economics and Business Administration is the largest of the six university faculties and it is accredited by the AACSB International - the world’s largest business education network, the highest recognition for achievements of business universities in the world. The Tilburg University is at the top in the European ranking for research in the field of economics (according to the European Economic Association), it occupies the third place for research in the field of business and it has been chosen as the best specialized university in Netherlands in the field of International and European Law (Higher Education Guide) over the last few years.

The exchange of students between the UNWE and Tilburg University is implemented by the direct assistance of the University Center for Students and Lecturers Mobility.

At the UNWE the students had the chance to learn more about the opportunities for work and internship provided by the Employment Agency during an Informational Day organized by the Inter-University Center for Career Development (IUCCD) of UNWE and the Employment Office of East District, Students Employment Affiliate.

A special stall was placed in the university lobby and the students were informed in details by Veselina Izvorska, Chief Expert of Students Employment Affiliate. 

Veselina Izvorska is informing the students

Two years ago the Employment Agency concluded an Agreement of Cooperation with the university so we traditionally organize such Informational Days to present our services and opportunities to young people, said Veselina Izvorska. The expert pointed out that it had been important for student to acknowledge the Agency as a partner because it had provided lots of opportunities for students and for graduates. 

According to her words the students are basically offered activities of flexible or part-time employment. Especially for students from the UNWE we have jobs for accountants, financial analysts, operators having high level of command of English and computer literacy, clarified Veselina Izvorska and added that there is a wide variety of opportunities if students are willing to respond.

If students want to apply at our office it is needed to have registration at the Employment Agency and then they will  receive information about the jobs suitable to them, explained Izvorska. 

In the Ceremonial Hall was held a Youth Forum on the Bulgarian Presidency of the EU Council – the Voice of Youths in the United Europe. The event was organized by the Public Administration Department with the support of Sofia Municipality, Programme Europe 2017 and M.O.S.T. NGO.

At the Forum attended Assoc. Prof. Dr. Denitsa Gorchilova, Scientific Secretary of the Public Administration Department, Tatyana Koleva, Chairperson of the Working Group on Company Law, Desislava Georgieva from M.O.S.T. NGO and Nikolay Nikolov, Municipal Councillor at Sofia Municipality.  

Tatyana Koleva, Desislava Georgieva, Assoc. Prof. Gorchilova and Nikolay Nikolov (from the left to the right)

In the frameworks of the discussion it is important to summarize what have been achieved for 10 years in the European Union and what more could be done for Bulgaria through the European Presidency, pointed out Nikolay Nikolov. He emphasized also on the fact that Sofia would turn into European Sport Capital and shared that Europe would direct its gaze towards our country because of those events. 

In the Ceremonial Hall

Our major activity is oriented towards the elaboration and management of projects at regional as well as at national and international level, explained Desislava Georgieva. She added that M.O.S.T. NGO had been an initiator for conducting discussions and seminars related to the civil rights. We strive for supporting the intellectual and creative development of children and youths as well as of people in social isolation, said Georgieva. 

During the Forum

In a presentation on the Instruments for Adoption of the EU Legislative Acts (after the Lisbon Treaty) Tatyana Koleva commented that through the Lisbon Treaty a number of alterations had been incorporated in order to make the European Union functioning more effectively. Koleva spoke to students about the process of decision making in the frameworks of ordinary legislative procedure and differentiated the roles of the EU Council and European Union. 

2^nd International Conference on the Information Technologies in Disaster Risk Reduction - ITDRR 2017 began its work in the Large Conference Hall of UNWE. At the opening of the Forum attended Prof. Dr. Dimitar Velev, Chairman of the Conference Organizing Committee and Director of the UNWE Scientific Research Center for Disaster Risk Reduction, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Venelin Boshnakov, UNWE Secretary General for Science, Alexander Dzhartov, Director of Critical Infrastructure, Prevention and Control Directorate to the Fire Safety and Civil Protection Directorate-General of the Ministry of Interior, Prof. Yuko Murayama, Vice President of the International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP) and Chairwoman of the IFIP Domain Committee of the Conference, Chief Assist. Dr. Georgy Penchev from the National and Regional Security Department, representatives of academic community from 12 countries – Japan, Republic of Korea, France, Italy, Indonesia, etc. 

At the opening of the Conference (from the left to the right): Assoc. Prof. Dr. Venelin Boshnakov, Prof. Dr. Dimitar Velev and Prof. Yuko Murayama

Prof. Dr. Dimitar Velev opened the Conference and presented the guests. He expressed his thankfulness to them for the participation in the event implemented under the auspices of IFIP for the second time.

On behalf of the Rector of UNWE Prof. D.Sc.(Econ.) Statty Stattev the participants were welcomed by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Venelin Boshnakov who defined the Conference as one of the most important and interesting events held at the UNWE. He outlined the actuality of the topic in the terms of more frequent disasters in a global scale and expressed hope that the Forum would become a tradition.

On behalf of Nikolay Nikolov, Director of Fire Safety and Civil Protection Directorate-General of the Ministry of Interior the guests were greeted by Alexander Dzhartov. He pointed out that the climate changes would lead to more and more natural disasters and the information technology could help in the process of risk analysis and measurement as well as in the information processing. 

Alexander Dzhartov (the first man on the right)

Prof. Yuko Murayama expressed her contentment that the Forum had been organized for the second time. In a brief presentation she introduced to the guests the members of the IFIP Domain Committee of the Conference, objectives and tasks of the new platform and its role for creating a network of specialists in that field. She also made comment on better coordination and effectiveness of aid management in crisis situations.

As Director of the UNWE Scientific Research Center for Disaster Risk Reduction Prof. Dr. Dimitar Velev made a brief presentation about the Center and emphasized on the international members participating in its Consultative Board. He presented the objectives, tasks and activity of the Center in the field of wider use of information technology in disaster risk reduction. 

During the Conference

On behalf of Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov, Dean of the Economics of Infrastructure Faculty, Director of the Center for Nuclear Security Support and Head of the National and Regional Security Department the participants were greeted by Chief Assist. Dr. Georgy Penchev. In his presentation on the Application of Information Technology in Education and Research of Nuclear Security he introduced to the guests the new Master`s Degree Programme in Nuclear Security implemented at the university on the base of the Agreement of Cooperation between the UNWE and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) signed by the Rector of UNWE Prof. D.Sc.(Econ.) Statty Stattev and Yukiya Amano, Director-General of IAEA during his visit in Sofia in 2014.  

Prof. Dr. JunSeok Hwang, Professor of Information Technology at the Seoul National University, Republic of Korea, delivered the first keynote speech on the Future Perspective of ICT Policy and Strategy for Disaster Risk reduction with Smart Disaster Safety System. 

Prof. Dr. JunSeok Hwang

After double reviewing 18 reports of total 47 submitted ones were approved for participation and presentation in the Conference and the collection of them will be published in the Journal of Modern Information and Communication Technology printed by Springer Publishing Company. It is indexed in Scopus and other internationally recognized scientific data bases. 

In a Press Conference in the Large Conference Hall were presented the three Bulgarian projects which won funding by the PMI Impact global initiative for support of organizations in the development and implementation of projects dedicated to fighting illegal trade and related crimes, such as corruption, organized crime and money laundering.

In the Press Conference took part the Heads of the three projects: Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov, Dean of the Economics of Infrastructure Faculty and Head of the National and Regional Security Department, Peter Ganev from the Institute for Market Economics (IME), Tihomir Bezlov and Atanas Rusev from the Center for Democracy Studies and Konstantin Azov, moderator of the Forum. In the Large Conference Hall attended also representatives of the Ministry of Interior and the Customs Agency, experts, journalists and students. 

Peter Ganev, Konstantin Azov, Prof. Dimitar Dimitrov, Tihomir Bezlov, Atanas Rusev (from the left to the right) at the opening of the Press Conference

Prof. Dimitrov greeted the participants in the Forum on behalf of the Rector of UNWE Prof. D.Sc.(Econ.) Statty Stattev. He presented the project on the Identification of Risk of Smuggling and Counterfeiting (Business Process and Spatial Aspect Analysis) which he defined as a good scientific perspective. The UNWE project was one of the thirty two ones chosen among 240 project proposals from all over the world, outlined the Dean. 

In the Large Conference Hall

The UNWE project with two years duration which has started on 1 August will study the interaction of traffic from Turkey to West Europe on the Balkan route countries, pointed out Prof. Dimitrov. The project objective is to raise awareness of the problem about the illegal trade of tobacco products as well as to clarify the links with other crimes. The study will be focused on the operating way and relationships in cases of tobacco smuggling. It will identify the gaps and weaknesses in the national and European legislation and will mark legislative alterations.  

Prof. Dimitar Dimitrov

The project team consists of 20 specialists in various fields – risk management, business process analysis, geographic information systems, spatial time analyses, clusters as well as experts in the field of legal analysis and communications, pointed out the Head of the project. There will be elaborated also educational materials and courses for the law enforcement officials. The UNWE has a thorough experience in the implementation of seminars and educational programmes and these courses will be included as modules in different Bachelor`s and Master`s degree programmes, explained the Dean. 

During the Press Conference

Peter Ganev from the Institute for Market Economics (IME) presented the project on the Law and Economics of Illegal Trade of Tobacco Products in Bulgaria whose major objective is to study and expose the opportunities to improve the current policies, strengthen the institutional effectiveness, legislative framework, etc. 

Peter Ganev (on the left)

The project on the Illegal Trade of Tobacco Products and the Balkan Route, Overcoming the Institutional Weaknesses implemented by the Center for Democracy Studies was presented by Tihomir Bezlov. 

Tihomir Bezlov (on the left)

PMI Impactis a global initiative to support public, private, and nongovernmental organizations to develop and implement projects dedicated to fighting illegal trade and related crimes, such as corruption, organized crime and money laundering. It is launched by Philip Moris International in 2016.PMI has pledged $100 million toward the initiative with funding split into distinct rounds with a distinct theme througha three stage process. Funding applications are judged by an independent Expert Council whose members are internationally recognized professionals in the field of law, fighting corruption, organized crime and illegal trade.

Students in their third year of speciality Business Economics in English visited the Bulgarian office of the world leader in the IT services – the company DXC Technology. The visit was part of the practical training of students in Corporate Risk Management organized by Assist. Dr. Petya Biolcheva and supported by the Center for Business Competencies Development - U2B at Industrial Business Department. 

Students and Dr. Biolcheva

The training on the Risk Management at Internal Threats was held by the Security Manager of the company Boyko Mitev. Students had the opportunity to know about the various kinds of risks and threats to corporate security as well as about the methods of early diagnostics and prevention of any unfair activities done by officials. 

During the training

A special attention was paid to the reputational risk and its importance for the organizations. 

Round Table Conference on the New Management Models of Intellectual Property gathered representatives of academic science, public and private sector who exchanged their institutional, expert and professional experience on the topic. The Forum was organized jointly by the Private Legal Studies Department of UNWE Law Faculty, Creative Industries and Intellectual Property Department of UNWE Business Faculty and the International Legal Advice Center (ILAC). 

In the Conference Hall of the University Center for Intellectual Property

We are the flagman in the field of intellectual property and we should impose all aspects of its issues more intensively, declared the Rector of UNWE Prof. D.Sc.(Econ.) Statty Stattev. He reminded about the hard beginning 27 years ago when the intellectual property had been imposed as common university discipline and the UNWE had been turned into a leader and the only university in the country for preparation of professionals in that field. 

Prof. Statty Stattev, Assoc. Prof. Vladya Borisova and Prof. Borislav Borisov (from the left to the right)

I`d like to believe that the good intentions of organizers will give also good results because we have an effective unity between both university Departments and ILAC, outlined the Rector. He gave as an example the interest in the recent National Seminar on Creation of Culture for Intellectual property among the SME`s which was held at the university followed by the negotiation of future trainings for the business. Prof. Stattev expressed his confidence in the results of the Round Table Conference and emphasized that they should be brought to the attention of relevant institutions.  

The Rector Prof. Stattev

This Round Table Conference is especially important, declared the Honorary Rector and Honorary Professor of UNWE Prof. Dr. Borislav Borisov, Director of the University Center for Intellectual Property. He expressed his contentment of the topic and reports of the Forum. In relation to the recent comments on the large number of universities in the country he made the following statement: The problem is not in the number of universities but in their multi-profiling. Thirty one universities have Faculties of Economics and eight universities provide education in the field of law, pointed out the data the Honorary Rector. The Economics and Law are like the terms “content” and “form”, outlined Prof. Borisov as confirmation of the thesis about the academic place of legal education.  

The Honorary Rector Prof. Borisov

The globalization requires thinking very profoundly about the setting of the form to the acting processes, emphasized Prof. Borisov. As arguments he pointed out the variations concerning the trade mark during the last ten years. The industrial property still stands up to the challenges of globalization, however, it doesn`t applies to the copyright and its quite old regulatory framework - especially in the digital era, outlined the problem the Honorary Rector. Prof. Borisov summarized that the challenges could be solved only in union between the economists and jurists.  

In his statement Mr. Emil Radev, member of the European Parliament pointed out that Europe is the home of creativity and talents and the UNWE is an eloquent example of it. He commented the enlargement of digital environment, copyright, necessity of reforms and new harmonization in the EU countries. The European deputy examined the two major problems of the current discussion – the online licensing of publications and payment in online platforms. 

Mr. Emil Radev

Mr Lyubomir Ganchev, Counselor of the Minister of Economy Emil Karanikolov outlined the activity of the Ministry of Economy on the coordination in the intellectual property protection, creation of more conducting environment, intellectual property market, digital world and the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Our objective is to support the digital innovations through centers, to develop the sectors of wide use of intellectual property, pointed out Mr. Ganchev. 

Mr. Lyubomir Ganchev (on the right)

Mr. Georgy Damyanov, expert, former Director of Copyright and Related Rights Directorate at Ministry of Culture spoke about the new requirements of digital environment and creation of single digital market. He said explicitly that the intellectual property protection level in the country had not worked as it should so a special agency to the Council of Ministers should be opened. Mr. Damyanov pointed out that such kind of structures had been opened in many EU countries. 

Mr. Georgy Damyanov

The value of each company is measured through the value of its intellectual property, summarized Dr. Petko Nikolov, Chairman of the Patent Office. Dr. Nikolov commented why the companies replace the focus from the intellectual property and ignore the intellectual property protection. It is often regarded that the registration of trade mark, patent or know-how could be postponed and done at later stage which sometimes turns out fatal for the company and the business, outlined Dr Nikolov. He examined also the intellectual property as “an object of pledge” and paid attention to the awareness of its importance by all institutions, more successful models for structuring the state administration and creation of parity authority to partner more successfully with the concerned parties.

Dr. Petko Nikolov

Institutionally we all work in benefit for the intellectual property, summarized Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vladya Borisova, Head of the Creative Industries and Intellectual Property Department, moderator of the Round Table Conference. However, the relation science - practice is somehow lost. There is a structure built, institutions, intellectual potential but the business is not supplied with knowledge in the field of intellectual property, pointed out Assoc. Prof. Borisova. She specified that the Department had worked actively for the creation of professionals developing scientific research activity and participating in the elaboration of strategic documents but the relation with the business had been lost. As if the business representatives knew about the opportunities for the conduction of specialized training in intellectual property for SME`s after the implementation of joint event by the UNWE, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the Patent Office of the Republic of Bulgaria regardless of whether there is or is not any institutional infrastructure built. 

Assoc. Prof Vladya Borisova

Prof. D.Sc.(Econ.) Plamen Mishev, Dean of the Business Faculty and Assoc. Prof. D.Sc.(Law) Zhivko Draganov also expressed their statements on the topic during the Round Table Conference.  

Prof. Plamen Mishev (on the left)

Assoc. Prof. Zhivko Draganov (on the right)

The discussion topics for the Round Table Conference were organized in two panels: Tendencies in the Intellectual Property Institutionalization and Intellectual Property Regulation in Digital Environment. 

Seminar under the title Open the Door to Your International Career in Accountancy and Finance was held at the university by the Finance and Accountancy Faculty of UNWE, Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and MDV Professional Education. At the Forum in the Ceremonial Hall attended Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rumyana Pozharevska, Vice Dean for Quality and International Cooperation of the Finance and Accountancy Faculty, Joanna Zhukovska, representative of ICAEW for Southeastern Europe, Hristina Hristova, graduate of UNWE, specialist Marketing and Business Development at the MDV Training in Bulgaria, Chief Assist. Dr. Mihail Musov, Scientific Secretary of the Accountancy and Analysis Department. 

Assoc. Prof. Pozharevska is opening the Seminar

The objective of the Seminar is to present the opportunities of all students from the specialities Accounting, Finance, Financial Control and Finance and Accounting taught in English to obtain the ICAEW Certificate in Finance, Accounting and Business (ICAEW CFAB) after going in for examination on module Accounting and completely free recognition of the rest five examinations of the professional qualification (including the examinations on modules Business and Finance, Management Information, Law, Assurance, Principles of Taxation), pointed out Assoc. Prof. Pozharevska. She outlined that the largest professional organization of accountants in the world – the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) had recognized all examinations of the first certification level for the students from the Finance and Accountancy Faculty of UNWE. 

In the Ceremonial Hall

In a brief presentation Joanna Zhukovska presented the ICAEW and the world recognized qualifications of certified accountants providing a huge advantage when students apply for a job at the large world companies. Zhukovska emphasized on the fact that the education at the UNWE had covered the largest part of education for the ACCA qualifications and so it had been fully recognized. Only one additional module is necessary for students to obtain a Certificate. There is a training course for it for 450 working days and for only £150 because part of the training is free for the students from the UNWE. There is also an online platform where after a registration an online training for qualification and preparation for the examination is implemented, explained Joanna Zhukovska. 

Joanna Zhukovska

Hristina Hristova introduced the MDV Training to students and outlined how the company could assist their preparation for the ACCA qualifications. MDV Training is Premier Member of BPP International Education’s global network and represents the Business Today International Simulations for Bulgaria. The company provides specialized trainings for the professional qualifications in finance and accounting in online and face-to-face format (AAT, ACCA, CIMA, ICAEW, CFA, Dip IFR), leadership and negotiation skills, presentation to audience, business trainings in legal framework, marketing, business strategy, human resources management, etc. The company offers training materials of BPP Learning Media, interactive simulating games for developing a business sense and improving the knowledge. 

During the Seminarа