site.bta23 Bulgarian Universities Sign Memoranda of Cooperation with Hungarian Higher Education Institutions

The rectors and vice-rectors of 23 Bulgarian universities signed memoranda of bilateral cooperation with six Hungarian higher education institutions on Wednesday. This took place during the first Bulgarian-Hungarian Rectors' Forum in Samokov, organized by the Council of Rectors of Higher Education Institutions in the Republic of Bulgaria and the Regional Development Council of Samokov.

The event's theme was "Higher Education: Key to Innovation and Regional Development," and it aimed to encourage cooperation and the exchange of good practices between Bulgarian and Hungarian universities as well as discuss good policies in the field of higher education. 

Prof. Miglena Temelkova opened the forum. The Outgoing Deputy Minister of Education and Science, Acad. Nikolay Vitanov, also delivered a welcoming address. He stated that the Ministry of Education and Science is dedicated to developing higher education, science, and innovation to ensure a more sustainable future for Bulgaria in the contemporary global context. 

Samokov Regional Development Council head Sotir Nemov said that this was the first time such an event had been held in a town without a university, bringing together rectors from Bulgarian and foreign universities. He and the other meeting participants agreed to the idea of establishing a higher education institution in Samokov in the future. Samokov Municipality Mayor Angel Dzhorgov also expressed his desire to have higher education opportunities in the town. Dzhorgov suggested to use the House of the People's Army building for a higher education institution or college. 

The Bulgarian institutions that signed memoranda were the University of Telecommunications and Post; Burgas Free University; Angel Kanchev University of Ruse; Technical University – Varna; Prof. Dr. Assen Zlatarov Burgas State University; Higher School of Agribusiness and Rural Development – Plovdiv; St. Ivan Rilski University of Mining and Geology; University of Food Technologies – Plovdiv; University of Insurance and Finance; American University; Medical University – Pleven; Todor Kableshkov University of Transport – Sofia; Trakia University – Stara Zagora; Agricultural University – Plovdiv; and University of Forestry. The University of Insurance and Finance, the D. A. Tsenov Academy of Economics in Svishtov, and the Chernorizets Hrabar Varna Free University also signed memoranda. 

The memoranda provide opportunities for the exchange of experiences between students and lecturers, the development of joint scientific research, and the exchange of administrative staff. 

In mid-October 2025, a delegation from Samokov participated in the Days of Bulgaria in Kecskemet, Hungary initiative. The Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Bacs-Kiskun County, John von Neumann University, Honorary Consul of Bulgaria in Hungary Yordan Bochkov, and Commercial Attache Nevena Stoyanova organized the event.