Top-ranking Bulgarian Universities Presented with Academic Oscars for 2025

Tatiana Marinova, Dimitrina Vetova

Awarded university rectors pose at the Academic Oscars 2025 ceremony in Sofia, January 27, 2026 (BTA Photo/Nikola Uzunov)

Sofia,

27.01.2026 20:53

(BTA)

The 10th Academic Oscars awards were presented Tuesday to universities that top Bulgaria's rankings by professional field for 2025. The ceremony was held at NV Tower in Sofia and was organized by the 24 Chasa media group.

The ceremony was attended by President Iliana Iotova, outgoing Education and Science Minister Krasimir Valchev, European Commission Representation in Bulgaria Head Yordanka Chobanova, Council of Rectors of Higher Education Institutions in Bulgaria Chair Miglena Temelkova, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences President Evelina Slavcheva, National Agency for Evaluation and Accreditation Chair Eliza Stefanova, National Sectoral Trade Union for Higher Education and Science Chair Lilyana Valcheva, Bulgarian News Agency Director General Kiril Valchev, former education ministers, rectors and business representatives.

Addressing the ceremony, President Iliana Iotova said that Bulgarian universities are on a par with their European counterparts, and she is certain that young people, students, lecturers, professors, associate professors, and assistants - all of them - must work to develop their alma mater so that we can be among the leaders in our European family. "Seven of our universities are already part of the European university network, which provides opportunities for contacts and joint projects, for development with over 650 other higher education institutions in Europe," Iotova added. The President congratulated outgoing Education Minister Valchev for the will to introduce changes in Bulgarian higher education and for his commitment "to work with the right people -academic leaders - so that we do not end up with yet another reform that we pin on our lapels like a brooch, only to find that it does not work."

The outgoing Minister of Education and Science, Krasimir Valchev, said that the higher education system is not one that merely consumes resources, but one that needs support and should be supported, because investing in education offers the greatest chance for prosperity. He noted that the system has supported reforms, with many university rectors over the years backing difficult reforms that sometimes had negative effects on their own institutions, while trade unions also stood behind those changes. The Minister pointed to a doubling of foreign students over the past five years, noting that Bulgaria ranks first in the European Union in terms of foreign medical students per million inhabitants, but not only in medicine. He added that an increasing number of applicants with excellent academic records and winners of international Olympiads are choosing to pursue higher education in Bulgaria, including at Sofia University, but not only there. The Minister expressed hope that business representatives would also believe in this progress and rely more on Bulgarian students.

Valchev presented an award to Prof. Georgi Valchev, Rector of the St Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia, as the University holds the highest number of first-place rankings by professional field in the 2025 national higher education ranking system, with a total of 22.

Bulgarian Academy of Sciences President Evelina Slavcheva presented an award to Prof. Georgi Venkov, Rector of the Technical University of Sofia. The University ranks first in six professional fields related to technical specialists of key importance to the economy.

Head of the European Commission Representation in Bulgaria Yordanka Chobanova presented an award to Prof. Boycho Landzhov, Rector of the Medical University of Sofia.

Awards on behalf of their universities were also received by Prof. Dimitar Dimitrov, Rector of the University of National and World Economy; Prof. Miroslav Dachev, Rector of the National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts; Prof. Ivaylo Koprev, Rector of the University of Mining and Geology; Assoc. Prof. Gichka Kutova, Rector of the University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy; Prof. Galin Ivanov, Rector of the University of Food Technologies in Plovdiv; Prof. Senya Terzieva, Rector of the University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy; Prof. Miroslav Karabaliev, Rector of Trakia University; Prof. Georgi Yankov, Rector of the National Academy of Art; Prof. Sava Dimitrov, Rector of the National Academy of Music; Assoc. Prof. Boryana Ivanova, Rector of the Agricultural University in Plovdiv; Assoc. Prof. Hristo Mihaylov, Rector of the University of Forestry; Prof. Ivan Vidolov, Rector of the Academy of the Ministry of Interior; Prof. Krasimir Petkov, Rector of the National Sports Academy; Flotilla Admiral Prof. Kalin Kalinov, Rector of the Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy in Varna; Assoc. Prof. Zhan Pehlivanov, Rector of the Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts in Plovdiv; and Prof. Dimitar Dimitrov, Rector of Veliko Tarnovo University.

The 15th edition of the higher education institutions ranking compares the performance of 51 accredited higher education institutions in Bulgaria across 52 professional fields. It uses 52 indicators, ranging from the quality of education and research activity to graduate employment, income after graduation, and student feedback. For the first time, the system this year also included an indicator measuring students’ assessment of lecture and seminar attendance.

/DS/

Additional

news.modal.header

news.modal.text

27.01.2026 22:22 BTA's Archives

Former President Radev: Europe Has Become Hostage to Its Ambition for Moral Leadership in World Without Rules

On First Day of His Second Term, BTA Director General Receives Patriarch's Blessing