site.btaReforming Technical Higher Education in Bulgaria: Pushing for Stronger Math Skills and More Engineering Graduates

In a discussion with rectors from Bulgaria's technical universities, Minister of Education and Science Krasimir Valchev presented a set of proposed reforms aimed at strengthening technical higher education and addressing the country’s skills shortage in key sectors. One of the major points raised during the meetings was the introduction of a mandatory mathematics matriculation exam, a policy strongly supported by all participating university leaders.

During the meeting at the University of Architecture, Civil Engineering, and Geodesy, its rector, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Architect Gichka Kutova-Kamenova, highlighted the pressing need for more hydroengineering specialists. She shared the university’s efforts to increase the number of hydroengineering students, with plans to offer higher scholarships to attract more candidates. 

Prof. Dr. Senya Terzieva-Zhelyazkova, the rector of the University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy supported the idea of offering students the chance to select careers that meet the needs of the labor market, emphasizing the importance of preparing high school graduates to contribute effectively to the economy.

The discussions also included proposals for universities to adjust their admissions policies by giving more weight to the results of the math matriculation exam, even though it is not yet mandatory. Prof. Dr. Miglena Temelkova, Rector of the University of Telecommunications and Posts, reinforced this idea, calling for long-term planning to make the math exam a compulsory part of high school graduation. She emphasized that the policy would improve students’ mathematical skills and analytical thinking, benefiting universities by allowing them to work with better-prepared students.

As part of broader reforms, the Ministry is also considering additional scholarships for students entering technical fields with strong results in math, physics, and chemistry exams, as well as adjustments to university admission policies to attract more students to critical sectors such as hydroengineering and nuclear energy.

Minister Valchev confirmed that, in the coming months, the Ministry will outline a comprehensive strategy for improving the curriculum in secondary education to better equip students for higher education.