site.btaNaval Academy in Varna Equipped with Space Satellite Tracking System

The installation of a space satellite tracking system has been completed at the Naval Academy in Varna, and a new deep-water complex will be inaugurated within days, said here on Tuesday Rector of the Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy, Flotilla Admiral Boyan Mednikarov, during the celebration of the 143rd anniversary of the Academy's establishment. 

Among the guests at the celebration were Minister of Innovation and Growth Milena Stoycheva, Deputy Minister of Defence Atanas Zapryanov, Commander of the Naval Forces Rear Admiral Kiril Mihaylov, Mayor of Varna Blagomir Kotsev, the regional governors of Varna and Burgas, Andrijana Andreeva and Plamen Yanev, rectors of universities, senior officers, among others. 

"The naval alma mater brings together the experience of the past, the strength of the present day and the faith in the innovation of tomorrow," said Mednikarov. He stressed that the school is effectively adapting to the changes in the modern world and at the same time remains an important part of the structure of military education in this country. Mednikarov described 2023 as a "challenging" year.  According to him, there is a tendency across Europe for young people to prefer the IT industry over maritime professions. He expressed his pride that the Academy has foreseen this trend and the school has made a lot of progress in the digital sphere, including with the upcoming opening of new courses related to artificial intelligence, digital transformation, aerospace engineering and technology.

As major successes for 2023 Mednikarov reported the graduation of the first class of military physicians, as well as the successful completion of the Bulgarian naval research vessel Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii's first mission to Antarctica. 

A congratulatory address from President Rumen Radev was read out at the meeting. In addition, awards were presented to servicemen, civilian employees and cadets by the Minister of Defence and the Chief of Defence for their significant contribution to the affirming the Naval Academy's prestige.