On April, 24^th, 2013 was held the Second Students Conference entitled Russia in the Global World organized by the Foreign Languages and Applied Statistics Department and the Russian World office by the support of the International Relations Research Students Association (IRRSA) and the Association of the Russianists in Bulgaria. A lot of participants and listeners gathered at the Faculty Hall. Reports and presentations in the Russian language were prepared by the second year students from the professional field Political Sciences and Economics by the foreign language study as well as by the fourth year students from the specialities International Relations, International Economic Relations, European Studies and Political Science.

At the Faculty Hall

The thematic range of reports was very wide: the political and economic relations of Russia with the European Union, NATO, Bulgaria, China as well as the prospects for geo-economic and geo- political development of the Russian Federation in XXI century, the future of the customs union between Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan, the tourist business development in Russia as well as issues of the education, culture and spiritual leadership.

Participants in the Conference

In the Conference took part also Dr. Stoyanka Pochekanska, Expert on Russian language at the Ministry of Education, Youth and Science, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Daniela Kozhuharova, Head of the Foreign Languages and Applied Linguistics Department, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Georgi Chankov from the International Relations Department, Senior Lecturer Antonia Pencheva, Head of the Russian World office and Olga Lazova, lecturer in Russian language. They were impressed from the skills and deserved self-confidence of students during the discussions in the Russian language and expressed their hope that the Conference would be held annually also in the future.

The experts (the first woman on  the right: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Daniela Kozhuharova)

It is the first trilingual Master`s degree of our university which will be implemented on the basis of an Agreement for Joint Master`s Degree Programme between the UNWE and the Universite du littoral Cote D`Opale (ULCO), France. There are eight Master`s Degree Programmes at the UNWE and four ones joint with foreign universities but it is the first programme in which the lecturing will be implemented in the Bulgarian, French and English language, announced at the presentation of the new Master`s degree programme Prof. D.Sc. (Econ.) Statty Stattev, Rector of UNWE. The event was organized by the Economics of Tourism Department jointly with the guest-lecturer Assoc. Prof. Dr. Evgenia Madelin. At the Large Conference Hall of the university attended also Prof.D.Sc. (Econ.) Hristo Prodanov, Dean of the Economics of Infrastructure Faculty, Prof. Dr. Dimitar Tadarakov, Head of the Economics of Tourism Department, Prof. Dr. Tanya Parusheva, Scientific Secretary of the Department, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vera Pirimova, Director of the University Center for Students and Lecturers Mobility, fourth and third year students from the speciality Economics of Tourism, a lot of lecturers.

From the left to the right: Prof. Dimitar Tadarakov, Prof. Statty Stattev, Assoc. Prof. Evgenia Madelin

Economics of Tourism Department and its speciality occupy a special place at the university because they are bearers of a large part of the UNWE prestige, outlined Prof. D.Sc. (Econ.) Statty Stattev. He reminded that the UNWE had become a leader in the higher education in the country and the merit to its really high rating had also had the Department. Since this year the speciality Tourism has joined to the ten specilities studied entirely in the English language at our university, said the Rector and pointed out that the joint Master`s degree programme with the British University Nottingham Trent had educated students for almost 7 years. On behalf of the Rectors and Academic Managing Body he greeted the Department for the achieved success and expressed his hope that after two years both with Prof. Tadarakov would bestow the first diplomas to the alumni who would present the university with dignity in the new Master`s degree programme between the UNWE and the Universite du littoral Cote D`Opale (ULCO), France.  

There was a great interest to the new Master`s degree programme.

Today is a very solemn moment for the UNWE indeed, pointed out Prof. Dr. Dimitar Tadarakov and outlined the large opportunities provided by the signed Agreement for Joint Master`s Degree Programme and the recognition of Master`s degree diplomas from both universities.

Conditions of the new Master`s degree programme were presented also by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Evgenia Madelin, lecturer at the French university. In her presentation she “took” students to the four cities near the French university situated at the shore of the English Channel, told about the university and its 11 000 alumni, presented the campus, credit system, showed the programmes and stages of education in Master`s degree, opportunities for scholarship and job.

Assoc. Prof. Evgenia Madelin during her presentation

The applicants should have good command of French and English language - at least level B2 according to the European language framework, pointed out Assoc. Prof. Pirimova who outlined the opportunities of students to combine the education on Erasmus programme with the Master`s degree  “double diploma”.

Among them there are future applicants for the new joint Master`s degree programme

UNWE won silver and bronze medals in the National Students Championship on Volleyball. The girls with their coach Ralitsa Arsova were ranked at the second place after they were defeated by the National Sports Academy by the score 0:3. It was their only defeat in the championship. They had 7 victories in their group and only one lost game. In the group for the final ranking they also won all the three games without a lost one. In the semi-final competitions they played a very strong match against the team of the University of Shumen and won by the score 3:2 and 15:12 during the tie-break.

Our girls with their coach

The boys of Petar Ivanov were defeated by the team of the University of Ruse in the semi-final competition by the score 2:3 and 10:15 during the tie-break. However, in the match for the third place they won a victory over the University of Sofia by the score 3:0.

They completed by three victories from three matches in their group for the final ranking. Before that in Sofia they left at the second place by 4 victories and 2 losses.

Champion in the men`s group became the National Sports Academy by the score 3:0 in the match against the University of Ruse.

Violina Nikolova and her colleague Ivan Krachev from the National Sports Academy were distinguished as the best attackers among women and men. Ralitsa Bankova from the National Sports Academy and Georgy Mishkov from the UNWE were awarded as the best setters. It turned out that the most difficult task for the volleyball figures participating in the secret vote was to be determined the winners of the individual prize for the most useful player. After the end of the last two clashes the prizes were given to Martina Stancheva from the UNWE and Miroslav Bratanov from the National Sports Academy.

In the eve of the Easter holidays was held the first public defence for acquisition of the scientific degree of Doctor of Science in the field of Political Sciences at the UNWE. Prof. Atanas Gochev is also the first person who has defended “great doctorate” at the International Relations Department since its establishment in 1976 so far.

The dissertation thesis was Inter-State Conflicts and Crises and the Role of Early Warning and Preventive Diplomacy. It was defined from the jury and guests as extremely actual and important in Bulgarian and international context.

At the event attended the Rector of UNWE Prof. D.Sc. (Econ.) Statty Stattev, Prof. Dr. Valentin Goev, Vice-Rector on the Scientific Research Activity, the Chief of Cabinet of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Chief of Division at the UN and Development Cooperation Directorate, a Bulgarian European deputy, the Dean of the International Economic and Politics Department Prof. Dr. Antoaneta Vasileva and the Dean of the Business Faculty Prof. Dr. Jordanka Jovkova, the Managing Body of the International Relations Department, colleagues of Prof. Gochev.

During the public  thesis defence

In the presentation of his dissertation Prof. Gochev outlined that his work was a result of his long standing practical and research experience as an international consultant of the World Bank and United Nations Development Programme (UNPD), as a researcher and lecturer at the UNWE. He had managed, elaborated and incorporated systems for early warning of instability and potential crises and conflicts in Bulgaria, West Balkans, Jordan, Russia and Ukraine.   

During the discussion was commented the relation between the early warning and democracy, financing of targeted activities, international support and intervention as well as current issues of Bulgarian political life related to the dissertation thesis.

By seven votes "for" the jury unanimously decided to confer the scientific degree of Doctor of Science on Prof. Dr. Atanas Gochev.

The presentation of the dissertation work

I am extremely pleased to greet the Attorney General Mr. Sotir Tsatstarov by the words “Welcome at the UNWE!” and to express my gratitude for his readiness and responsiveness to present to us his viewpoints on the present and future of the Bulgarian Prosecution, said at the opening of the meeting with the Attorney General at the Large Conference Hall the Rector of the university Prof. D.Sc. (Econ.) Statty Stattev. Tsatsarov lectured to students and faculty on the Bulgarian Prosecution: the Current Reality and Future Steps.

Prof. Stattev reminded that 2013 was the year of the 160^th Anniversary from the birth of Prof. Stephan Bobchev, founder and first Rector of the Free University of Political and Economic Sciences whose successor was the UNWE. The Rector outlined that Prof. Bobchev was also one of the founders of the Legal Faculty at the St. Climent Ohridski University of Sofia whose alumnus was also the Attorney General. The Rector announced an interesting fact – Prof. Todor Kulev, member of the first seven-member Academic Council of the Free University had also been a Minister of Justice and Attorney General since January, 4^th, 1926 to May, 15^th, 1930.              

Prof. Stattev is showing a picture with Prof. Bobchev and Prof. Kulev. On the right next to him: Sotir Tsatsarov

The Attorney General pointed out the key issues of the Prosecution and announced that at the moment at the institution was running a functional audit which should be completed till June, 3^rd, 2013 and then would be prepared an action plan.

The Attorney General

Responding the numerous questions Tsatsarov focused the attention on the necessity for incorporation of a unified register of the Sofia District Court, justified why the Bureau for Protection of Witnesses should be directly subordinate to the Attorney General, expressed the skepticism about the creation of a new Penal Code and supported the idea for creation of a European Prosecution which should implement the internal investigations on cases related to the abuse of European funds.

At the Large Conference Hall

Prof. D.Sc. (Econ.) Statty Stattev, Rector of the university bestowed to the Attorney General a Certificate and the Honorary plaque of UNWE.

The Rector is showing the Golden Book of UNWE.

In the Golden Book of UNWE Sotir Tsatsarov wrote: “With sincere respect to the university, faculty and students at it! Wishing to develop this precious capital - the scientific knowledge and education of the future lawyers namely in the manner and direction the UNWE makes it!”

For a second consecutive year the Students Council organized the event Student of the Year of UNWE 2013 under the patronage of the Rector of the university Prof. D.Sc. (Econ.) Statty Stattev. In an official ceremony at the Maxima Aula were given awards to students as well as to a lecturer and an employee of the university determined by an online voting from the students themselves.

The jury

In the category Student of the Year of UNWE were bestowed awards in the sub-categories Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, Doctoral Student and Student Sportsman of the Year. Undoubtedly the most controversial was the prize Bachelor of Science and during the voting it was even reached to a ballot between Petko Ivanov, Emil Lyubenov and Ilina Mutafchieva. It was distinguished Ilina Mutafchieva, third year undergraduate in the speciality International Economic Relations. She impressed the jury with her active work in the youth non-governmental sector. She is also the youngest stockbroker in Bulgaria, scholarship student at the NASA spaceship camp as well as a youth representative of Bulgaria at the UN. The award was given to her by Prof. D.Sc. (Econ.) Valentin Kisimov, Vice-Rector on Electronic Organization of UNWE.

Prof. Kisimov is giving the award to Ilina Mutafchieva.

Yanitsa Marinova from the speciality Business Journalism won the prize in the sub-category Master of Science. She is an excellent student and her list of diplomas, prizes and certificates is respectable. The award was bestowed on her by Prof. D.Sc. (Econ.) Valentin Kisimov.

Yanitsa Marinova

Lyubka Kamburova became a winner in the sub-category Doctoral Student. She is a Bachelor of Science in Economics, Master of Science in Accountancy and at the moment she is a Doctoral student at the Accountancy Department. Her award was handed by Lilia Elenkova, Educational Projects Manager at the ISIC Bulgaria.

Lyubka Kamburova (on the left) is receiving her award from Lilia Elenkova.

Senior lecturer Spas Stavrev, Head of the Physical Education and Sports Department bestowed the award on the Sportsman of UNWE for 2013 – Veselka Petreshkova. As a captain of the best women volleyball team she combines successfully the sport and studies and in parallel with it she participates also in the consecutive internship programme. Veselka studies Law and she is an excellent student.

Veselka Petreshkova (on the right) and Senior Lecturer Spas Stavrev

A bicycle and an internship at the Societte Generale Express Bank were won by Petko Ivanov, second year undergraduate in professional field Economics and Business.

The Students Council distinguished Prof. Dr. Borislav Borisov, Honorary Rector of UNWE by a Plaque for contribution to the strengthening of the student self-government.

In the category Employee of the Year 2013 the students chose Atanas Dimitrov, Career Consultant at the Inter-University Career Center of UNWE. The award was given to him by the Students Council Secretary Aleks Petkov.

Atanas Dimitrov is expressing his thankfulness for the award.

An important moment in the ceremony was the category Lecturer of the Year 2013. Within a week the students from the university had the chance to vote for their favourite lecturer online on the official website of the event. By the lead of 1% a winner became Assoc. Prof. Bogomil Manov, lecturer at the Finance Department who was bestowed a Plaque by Antoan Shotarov, Chairman of the Students Council.

Assoc. Prof. Bogomil Manov (on the right) and Antoan Shotarov.

In the programme of the event took place the young hip-hop performers from Marteen & Daze and No Comment as well as some talented students from Pancho Vladigerov National Academy of Music and Krastio Sarafov National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts.

Students from the Legal Faculty of UNWE took part in the prestigious competition on the European Union Law entitled Central and East European Moot Court Competition (CEEMC 2013) under the aegis of the European Union Court of Justice. The participation of our university in the competition has already become a tradition. UNWE took an exclusively good place in the ranking and won a special individual award for the rhetoric mastery of one of its participant.

CEEMC is organized by the British Law Centre in Warsaw under the aegis of the European Union Court of Justice and the Center for European Legal Studies to the University of Cambridge, UK. The competition was held for the 19^th time and hosts of the event were the Legal Faculty of University of Brno and the Supreme Administrative Court of the Czech Republic. Traditionally, the event was chaired by Eleanor Sharpston, Advocate General at the European Union Court of Justice.

The Rector of UNWE Prof. D.Sc. (Econ.) Statty Stattev met with our competitors and their coach after their returning from the Chezh Republic.

The competition is a kind of simulated legal proceedings before the European Court of Justice in which teams of prestigious universities from Central and East Europe defend the position of plaintiffs and defendants in a preliminary prepared case in the English language. The current edition of the competition was devoted to the controversial issues on the European warrant of arrest and the observation of human rights in the context of its application. In relation to the case there were made 5 questions to the European Union Court of Justice in the form of preliminary inquiry by a national court. Re-embodying in the role of lawyers the students had to submit written defence on behalf of the plaintiff and the defendant as well as to prepare their pleadings for the oral participation in the competition.

The team of UNWE (from the left to the right): Andon Tashukov, Polina Hristova and Alexander Nanov.

The UNWE took part in the event by a team of three students: Alexander Nanov (4^th year undergraduate), Polina Hristova (3^rd year undergraduate) and Andon Tashukov (semester of graduation). Coaches of the team were the former alumni of our university Radostina Mladenova, participant in the CEEMC 2011 and Gergana Ilieva, participant in the CEEMC 2012.

The UNWE team was determined to plead as a plaintiff against the team of the Free University of Tbilisi, Georgia who was a pretender for the first place but finally lost. In the “game” as defendants our students played against the Gdansk University, Poland and won a victory over it by 9 points difference. The UNWE team had the honour to be listened by performing the role of judges Dr. Jonathan Morgan from the University of Cambridge, Prof. Michael Bobek from the College of Europe, Katrin Howden, Legal Adviser at the UK Law Society in Brussels, Nick Fletcher, partner and lawyer at the Clifford Chance Solicitors – one of the largest law companies in England and many others.

At the opening of the competition. From the left to the right: Gergana Ilieva (coach), Polina Hristova, Andon Tashukov and Alexander Nanov

By a total score of 148 points from its pleadings and written defences our university occupied the prestigious 9^th place and only 0, 75 points more were needed to it to be ranked among the first eight semi-finalists. However, the UNWE team received many positive reviews for its performance and assurances of the judges in the enormous potential of Bulgarian students.

Before the first game

At the official dinner on the occasion of closing of the competition were given also the individual awards to the most outstanding orators. During the ceremony, it was cleared that the work and skills of Alexander Nanov had been specifically noticed and appreciated by the judges and he was awarded by a certificate of rhetoric mastery. The prize was given to him personally by the Advocate General at the European Union Court of Justice Eleanor Sharpston.

Alexander Nanov is receiving his award for rhetoric mastery from the Advocate General Eleanor Sharpston

A team of students from the speciality Business Administration at the UNWE was successfully ranked for its innovative idea in the fourth season of the competition 3Challenge.

3Challenge is a tournament on entrepreneurship organized by the largest club on entrepreneurship in Bulgaria - Start It Smart. The purpose of the competition is to show how an idea could be turned in a sustainably working business for 6 months. Students from the UNWE presented themselves by the new method created by them for prognostication of future events and generation of ideas in and out of the organization. The method is based on the theory for “collective intelligence” – the ability of a group of people to forecast and assess future events more precisely than each expert in the relevant field.  

Our students team

Along with the competition 3Challenge the team participates also in the academic campaign for students of the organization Junior Achievement, season 2012-2013.

According to the words of the young entrepreneurs the participation in such competitions is a real challenge and a way for them to strengthen and approve their knowledge once again!

Certificate

For the first time at the Large Conference Hall of the university was presented the platform E-Campus. At the presentation attended the Minister of Education, Youth and Science Corr. Mbr. Nikolay Miloshev, the Minister of the Electronic Government Development Roman Vasilev and the Rector of UNWE Prof. D.Sc. (Econ.) Statty Stattev.    

It is the Bulgarian university which in the recent years has realized an entire policy of computerization in the academic, scientific, research and administrative activity, pointed out the Rector Prof. D.Sc. (Econ.) Statty Stattev the indisputable reasons of UNWE for being a host of the event. He outlined what had been implemented in details: the introduction of electronic admission of prospective students as well as electronic semester and state exams, the work of e-library, the free access of all lecturers and students to the largest e-databases, etc. Our students – Bachelors and Masters of Science have an electronic record from many years and now all examination results are sent in the system web-student. All students can receive their electronic grades in a real time and then they are sent to their electronic records forming an Electronic General Book, pointed out the Rector.

From the left to the right: Roman Vasilev, Prof. Statty Stattev, Corr. Mbr. Nikolay Miloshev, Prof. Valentin Kisimov

The purpose of our meeting is to present the development of the project E-Campus which concerns all students in Bulgaria, said Prof. D.Sc. (Econ.) Valentine Kisimov, Vice-Rector on Electronic Organization of UNWE. The project collects at one place all available electronic services for students and unites academic internet spaces as the platform E-Campus gives an opportunity of students to use and personalize the electronic services necessary to them.

The platform campus.egov.bg is based on existing solutions. It gives an opportunity of students and lecturers to use and personalize electronic services, to participate actively in the newly creating online community, to test and develop electronic services which they consider as important and necessary, outlined Roman Vasilev, Minister of the Electronic Government Development. “The integrated access point will help for the rapid development of new models of communication, will raise the personal competitiveness and will create a valuable electronic content”, pointed out the Minister.

During the meeting

Bulgarian students are the elite of the nation. Placing them at the center of such a platform is justified and logical. The benefits for students are not limited only to the services and free internet. Participating in various sections of the platform they will receive attractive bonuses and acquisitions such as free online tutoring, access to different information and educational resources, participation as moderators in various forums, outlined Corr. Mbr. Prof. Nikolay Miloshev, Minister of Education, Youth and Science. The portal will also serve for lecturers to present their programs, schedules and events, to publish actual news and communicate with the students. Help it become more improved to use it more effectively, urged the attendants the Minister Miloshev.  

Orlin Kuzov (on the left) is presenting the projects of the Ministry.

In the platform are integrated also two important projects of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Science – the one is entitled Students Scholarships and the other  is - Students Practices. Both projects were presented by Orlin Kuzov, Director of the Information and Communication Technologies Directorate to the same Ministry.

At the event at the Large Conference Hall of the university attended the Rectors Managing Body of UNWE, lecturers, students and journalists.

In an official ceremony at the Sheraton Hotel were bestowed the annual awards for science Pythagoras. Prof. D. Sc. (Econ.) Statty Stattev, Rector of UNWE handed in the award for an approved scholar in the field of public and humanitarian sciences to Prof. D. Sc. in Pedagogics Sava Grozev from the Institute of Mathematics and Informatics to the Bulgarian Academy of Science. He was nominated for the prize by the Higher School of Insurance and Finance.

Prof. Stattev is announcing the winner of the award for an approved scholar.

Prof. Stattev awarded to the winner a hologram Pythagoras and a cash prize.

Prof. Stattev is handing the awards to Prof. Grozev.

At the ceremony attended the President Rosen Plevneliev who awarded the greatest prize for a young scientist to Nikolay Georgiev and Petko Denev. A guest of the ceremony was Corr. Mbr. Prof. Nikolay Miloshev, Minister of Education, Youth and Science who bestowed the award to Prof. Dechko Dechkov.

Prof. Sava Grozev (on the left) and Prof. Statty Stattev

You give me a chance to see another Bulgaria – Bulgaria of the talents, perspectives and abilities. The award Pythagoras is a proof that we can not only do science but we can do it at a world level, pointed out in his speech the President Plevneliev.

A photo of participants in the ceremony. Prof. Stattev – the first on the right in the first row

“National Programme for Development Bulgaria 2020 is a framework agreement based on the analysis of country`s development and opportunities for economic growth. It defines the vision and the common strategic objectives of national politics for all sectors of the state government including their territorial dimensions at regional and local level”. It is pointed out in the letter by Iliana Tsanova, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister on the EU Funds Management in the interim government to the Rector Prof. D.Sc. (Econ.) Statty Stattev.   

In the elaboration of the Programme participated also scientists from the UNWE.

Two copies of the Programme are delivered to the university library by the Rector of UNWE and they are available to all who are interested in them.

Partnerships development for enhancement of competitiveness, joint participation in the elaboration of national and international projects, professional orientation and preparation of prospective students is provisioned in the Framework Agreement between the UNWE and Dimitar Hadjivasilev State High School of Economics – Svishtov.

The Agreement signed by the Rector Prof. D.Sc. (Econ.) Statty Stattev and Rumyana Ivanova, Director of the High School contents also joint organizing of national and international scientific forums, exchange of lecturers, participation of lecturers as reviewers and consultants in preparation of textbooks and school aids.

The Rector Prof. D.Sc. (Econ.) Statty Stattev and Magdalina Docheva, Director of William Shakespeare First Private English Language School signed a Framework Agreement. In it is provisioned joint participation in the elaboration of national and international projects, organizing of scientific and educational forums, professional orientation and preparation of prospective students, implementation of public lectures by the exchange of lecturers.

The UNWE and the English Language School will mutually promote their activities in the public space and our lecturers will be reviewers and consultants in the preparation of textbooks and school aids.

The Rector Prof. D.Sc. (Econ.) Statty Stattev and Magdalena Docheva

Joint education in Austria for Bachelor and Master of Science in the English language and education of Doctoral students from the European Union at the UNWE is provisioned in the Memorandum for Cooperation between the UNWE and the Center for European University Studies (CEUS) – Austria. It was signed by the Rector Prof. D.Sc. (Econ.) Statty Stattev and the Vice-Presidents of the Center - Anton Prinz Sobieski zu Schwarzenberg and Prof. Dr. Slaveyko Gospodinov.

The Rector Prof. D.Sc. (Econ.) Statty Stattev and Anton Prinz Sobieski zu Schwarzenberg after the signing of the Memorandum.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Daniela Kozhuharova, Head of the Foreign Languages and Applied Linguistics Department and Senior Lecturer Dr. Stefka Kozhuharova, lecturer in Spanish language at the Department were among the five speakers in the International Conference devoted to the Nobel laureate Mario Vargas Llosa which was held at the St. Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Daniela Koh-Kozhuharova during her presentation

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Koh-Kozhuharova introduced the UNWE to participants in the Forum and outlined that approximately 60 students in the professional fields Economics and Political Sciences were studying Spanish as a first foreign language. The Spanish language is usually preferable as a second language among the students from the specialities International Economic Relations, International Relations, European Studies and Political Science.

Joint activities for the implementation of the project for creation of high-tech park in Bulgaria and conclusion of additional agreements and contracts if necessary are provisioned in the Memorandum for Cooperation between the UNWE and the company Tech Park Sofia. It was signed by the Rector Prof. D.Sc. (Econ.) Statty Stattev and Elitsa Panayotova, Executive Director of the Company.

In the Memorandum is also written that connections between the websites of both parties and contacts with third parties of mutual interest will be created. Education of students and young innovative entrepreneurs (including in the frameworks of new and existing Master`s degrees and other forms) will be organized as well as preparation and defence of doctoral thesis, etc.

The Rector Prof. D.Sc. (Econ.) Statty Stattev and Elitsa Panayotova

The UNWE team with its coach Ivan Stoilov won the International Football Tournament on the occasion of the 60^th Anniversary of the University of Mining and Geology. 10 teams participated in the competition and among them was also a team from Saint Petersburg.

In the final the UNWE defeated the University of Mining and Geology by penalties. Our colleagues led by the score 3:1 but the hosts balanced it up to 3:3. In penalties, however, the players of Ivan Stoilov were more accurate and won the cup.

Our boys

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Plamen Oresharski from the Finance Department is the 6^th Prime Minister of Bulgaria after 1989 who has graduated from the UNWE. The other five Prime Ministers over the last 23 years are Prof. Lyuben Berov, Dr. Reneta Indjova, Stefan Sofiyanski, Ivan Kostov and Marin Raykov – three of them are or have been lecturers at the UNWE.

The Prime Minister of the 89^th government of the Republic of Bulgaria Plamen Oresharski is a Master of Science on Finance and Credit. He has defended Doctoral thesis on the Investment and Investments Analysis at the UNWE and he has also been Rector on the Scientific Research Activity of UNWE. He is a lecturer in Financial Management, Investment and Investments Analysis. He is an author of a set of scientific publications in our country and abroad in the field of investments analysis, finance and more than one hundred articles, reviews and comments.

Assoc. Prof. Oresharski was a Deputy Minister on Finance in the government of Ivan Kostov, Minister of Finance in the coalition government of Sergey Stanishev and deputy in the 41^st National Assembly.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Plamen Oresharski

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Plamen Oresharski is the 13^th Minister of Finance from our university after 1989. The only Minister of Finance who hasn`t graduated from the UNWE is Muravey Radev (in the government of Ivan Kostov).

Assoc. Prof. Chobanov is a lecturer at the Finance Department. He has been Chief Expert at the Analyses Department of the Bulgarian National Bank, Executive Director of the Agency for Economic Analyses and Prognostications, Chairman of the Financial Supervisory Commission and also a Scientific Secretary of the Finance Department. He is a lecturer in Monetary Theory and Monetary Politics, Systematical Risk, International Finance, etc.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Petar Chobanov

On the occasion of May, 9^th– the Day of Europe, the Information Desk of the European Parliament in Bulgaria for a second consecutive year issued the newspaper Generation Europe. The students from our university Greta Petrova, Master`s programme Energy Business, Desislava Ivanova, Master`s programme Marketing and Stanislav Nikolov, fourth year in speciality Law were among the 15 Bulgarian students selected to be authors of the newspaper. In the prestigious competition participated nearly 120 undergraduates.

The winners visited the European Parliament where they met with the EU Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva, Bulgarian members of the European Parliament and officials from the press service of the European Parliament.

A photo of the winners with the EU Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva

Materials published in the newspaper cover topics related to the European Parliament, European Union and the processes occurring in them. In the edition Generation Europe Stanislav Nikolov is an author of the article entitled Consumers Rights – Real As the Goods We Buy, Greta Petrova has two publications – The Energy Liberalization of Europe - Chimera or Reality?, ERASMUS Thoughts – United in Diversity and the topic of the essay by Desislava Ivanova is: After School – Now What?. 

2nd edition of the newspaper Generation Europe

For the 8^th consecutive year Bulgarian economists celebrate their professional holiday. 11^th of June was determined as a professional holiday of Bulgarian economists by the Ministers Council Decision №320 of April, 29^th, 2005. It was made on the occasion of the 110^th Anniversary from the foundation of the first Bulgarian Economic Association which in 1990 was renamed Union of Economists in Bulgaria.

On the occasion of the professional holiday Prof. D.Sc. (Philosophy) Krastyo Petkov, Chairman of the Union of Economists in Bulgaria and lecturer at the UNWE addressed to his colleagues. He pointed out that Bulgarian economists had many reasons of being proud and morally pleased with their professional community because:

“The Union of Bulgarian Economists is the successor of one of the first professional guilds and associations founded after the Liberation (1895): Bulgarian Economic Association. The initial objective of this noble initiative - to work for "the advancement of people's livelihood" - is also relevant in the present days. Bulgaria is experiencing a severe economic crisis. The welfare of the majority of Bulgarians is put to a serious test. In such historical situations the economic science is called to help the government and people in their efforts to prevent the looming economic and social disaster;

For many years eminent intellectuals, statesmen and guild leaders have devoted to the cause of our Union. Bulgaria`s economic elite has proven itself in the history as an integral part of the nation bearing with responsibility the mission of intellectual leadership in crucial times. Today we are faced to a similar challenge again: to trace out the road to the economic recovery, material and social prosperity of Bulgaria;

Bulgarian economists have never put up with the idea for the development of Bulgaria as peripheral / buffer zone in Europe, as a country doomed to come up forever with its richer partners. In the last 20^th century as a nation we have experienced periods of remarkable economic progress, we have made breakthroughs in key areas of science and technology, material production, education and culture. The key to success now is in the alternative strategic solutions, non-standard and specific for Bulgarian conditions. The progress will depend crucially on the contribution of the Bulgarian economic science.

Therefore, the professional holiday is also an occasion for intellectual mobilization, for a harsh intensification of the creative and public activity in the guild of Bulgarian economists.

The achievements of the past should not be used as a substitute and excuse for the misunderstood expert neutrality in the present days. It is namely the belief grounded in the calendar of professional events of the Union of Economists in Bulgaria which is full of discussion forums and participation in projects involving one the most prepared researchers and practitioners from Bulgaria and abroad.” (…)

In his address Prof. Petkov also said: “Today, we, the inheritors of Bulgarian Economic Association must pay the tribute respect to its founders. And, along with this, we must be worthy successors of their historical covenant: we must be together with Bulgarian people and we must be a pro-active part of the civil society – whenever there is the greatest need of the national creative intellectuals.

Happy holiday to all Bulgarian economists!”