site.btaBulgarian News Agency to Partner with Plovdiv University

The Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) Tuesday signed a partnership agreement with the Paisii Hilendarski University of Plovdiv. The agreement was signed by BTA Director General Kiril Valchev and University Rector Prof. Dr. Rumen Mladenov.

"I am pleased with the establishment of this partnership between Plovdiv University and the Bulgarian News Agency — a media organization founded more than a century ago, known for its resilience and principled journalism, and the only media outlet in our country governed by a special law," said Prof. Mladenov at the signing ceremony. "In an age where misinformation and fake news are widespread, it is commendable that BTA has consistently upheld the core values of journalism embedded in its mission and vision."

He added, “BTA is one of the longest-standing active media organizations in Bulgaria and serves as a platform for highlighting the achievements of our higher education institutions — objectively and without compromise. That is the true function of the media: to serve as a corrective, not just a transmitter of information. At our university, we strongly believe that achievement, knowledge, and objectivity are shared principles we hold in common with BTA — and they thrive on public visibility."

“This is the 49th partnership agreement BTA has signed with a Bulgarian university. There are 51 universities in total, so we hope to conclude agreements with the remaining two within the next month,” said Kiril Valchev. “But this agreement is especially significant. After St. Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia, the Plovdiv University ranks second not just in size, but also in its presence and influence in Bulgaria’s educational and public life.”

To mark the occasion, Valchev presented Prof. Mladenov with a printed copy of a 1961 BTA article announcing the founding of Plovdiv University. He also gifted him with several other archival news reports from the 1970s related to the university’s activities, a copy of LIK magazine celebrating its 60th anniversary, a commemorative medal from the Bulgarian National Bank's Mint, and a postage stamp issued by Bulgarian Posts on the occasion of BTA's 125th anniversary.

“In sharing these archival materials, we are reminded of the words of your university’s patron, who said that knowing past events and the deeds of those who came before us is not only useful, but essential. It is our responsibility to ensure future generations have the records that show what the university has accomplished. Today’s news becomes tomorrow’s history,” Valchev noted.

The agreement includes BTA coverage of the university’s activities, with selected articles translated into English. The agency also hopes to welcome interns from PU, some of whom may go on to work full-time at BTA, Valchev added.

Plovdiv University is the largest higher education institution in Southern Bulgaria and the second largest nationwide, after Sofia University. It was founded in 1961 as a Higher Pedagogical Institute for Natural and Mathematical Sciences and became a university in 1972. Today, it offers more than 60 programs across the natural, humanities, social, and economic sciences.

The university employs over 900 academic and administrative staff, including 629 full-time faculty members: 92 professors, 217 associate professors, and 320 assistants. More than 17,000 students are enrolled, including 4,250 first-year students across nine faculties, fully compliant with the Higher Education Act.