site.btaSofia University Opens Institute for Geospatial Research and Technologies

At its regular meeting on Wednesday, the government approved the establishment of an Institute for Geospatial Research and Technologies within Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski. The project will be implemented at the initiative of the rector following a decision by the university’s Academic Council.

The new institute represents a strategic investment and an important step toward modernizing the scientific infrastructure, expanding international competitiveness, and improving the quality of scientific research in the field.

Sofia University is among the leading institutions in education and research in the field of geographic information systems and geospatial technologies. In 2021, the Geospatial Systems and Technologies major was established, and in 2024, the university launched a modern master’s programme in Applied Geoinformatics. In 2020, the National University Centre for Geospatial Research and Technologies was established, which has proven to be one of the country’s leading research centres.

The new unit will facilitate the development of innovative projects and scientific research in key areas of geospatial technologies and modern geoinformatics. These efforts will contribute to the provision of data, analyses, and new knowledge regarding contemporary societal challenges such as natural resource management, urban planning, security, energy, transportation, digital transformation, and others.

The institute will also support efforts to improve the quality of doctoral education and the training of young researchers in line with global best practices.