site.btaUPDATED Sofia University Elects Prof. Eliza Stefanova to Complete Rector's Term

Prof. Eliza Stefanova, Ph.D., was elected rector of Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski to complete the term of Prof. Georgi Valchev until November 2027, after he was appointed Minister of Education and Science, Assist. Prof. Nikoleta Kuzmanova, Ph.D., chair of the Central Election Commission at Sofia University, announced at Tuesday’s General Assembly of the University.

Kuzmanova said Eliza Stefanova is the first female rector of Sofia University. She is a professor at the Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics. She was nominated by the Faculty’s General Assembly. Prof. Stefanova is the chair of the National Evaluation and Accreditation Agency.

The General Assembly elected Stefanova in a runoff vote. The other candidate in the runoff was Prof. D.Sc. Georgi Rainovski from the Faculty of Physics. Out of 331 registered members of the General Assembly, 326 voted in the second round. The valid ballots were 320, six were invalid, 135 members of the General Assembly voted for Rainovski, 185 voted for Stefanova.

"We must implement the policies that Prof. Georgi Valchev has undertaken as rector of Sofia University," Stefanova told reporters. Valchev has a term-of-office programme for Sofia University that needs to be completed, she said, adding that she has a few other items highlighted on her own programme. "One of these priorities is the adoption of regulations regarding the use of artificial intelligence. This is one of the key issues today, and the faculty expects that we will soon have such rules in place at the university," Stefanova explained to reporters.

"We currently have important tasks to tackle, because we are in the middle of the admissions campaign," she added. "We must ensure the admissions process runs as smoothly as possible across all programs so that our colleagues can work with peace of mind in the coming years. Working with people, for people, and alongside people - that is my priority," Stefanova said.

"It turns out that I am the first female rector of Sofia University, but I am glad that my colleagues made their choice not based on my gender, but on the results I have shown as vice rector in two consecutive terms with Prof. Anastas Gerdjikov's team," Stefanova said. She added that she believes this was the main factor that played a significant role in her selection.

Education Minister Valchev was present when the results from the runoff were announced.