site.btaINSAIT Turns Four, Sofia and Bern Boost High-Tech Partnership

Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov and Guy Parmelin, Head of the Swiss Federal Department for Economic Affairs, Education and Research, celebrated Wednesday the fourth anniversary of the Institute for Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Technology (INSAIT) and pledged to deepen Bulgarian-Swiss cooperation in science and innovation.

“The activities of INSAIT surpassed the expectations we had set and showed that the establishment of a sustainable model in partnership with the technological institute is exceptionally successful,” Zhelyazkov said, noting that more than 4,000 candidates compete for ten seats and that “this gives Sofia the chance to turn into a computer science and new technologies centre”. He added that nearly CHF 100,000,000 from the new Swiss-Bulgarian Cooperation Programme will support education, innovation and environmental projects.

Parmelin said the institute’s progress “exceptional” and said it had “surpassed my already high expectations”. “We cannot discover everything on our own; it is important to have connections and cooperation, to move forward in the common interest of the citizens of Bulgaria and Switzerland,” he said, adding that bilateral ties are “really strong”.

Both sides agreed that continued state support will keep INSAIT at the forefront of technological development and attract further investment from leading global companies.