The second edition of the Erasmus+ International Staff Week for university staff training, provided by the University of Economics – Varna from 21 to 25 June 2021 at the initiative of the International Relations Office, the greatest interest and passed successfully with participation in experts and coordinators from International Departments of European and Erasmus+ partner universities. The week, which already had an initial successful edition in 2019, passed for everyone with increased interest from Erasmus+ partner universities. Despite of the complicated situation caused by the Covid-19 outbreak over 20 participants from 14 countries took part in it: Bulgaria, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Czech Republic, Poland, Slovenia, Romania, Montenegro, Albania, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Israel, Turkey.
The programme for the International Week included various lectures, seminars and workshops, and it was combined with a cultural programme aimed to introduce to the participants the natural and cultural landmarks in Varna and the region and in Bulgaria as a destination for recreation and tourism. During the event were presented excellent opportunities that UE – Varna offers to the foreign students, teachers and staff for trainings, and internships under the Erasmus+ programme.
The forum was opened by assoc. prof. Radan Miryanov, who, although virtually, congratulated the participants and welcomed them to the University of Economics – Varna. Welcome speech to the guests delivered the institutional coordinator of the Erasmus+ programme assoc. prof. Vladimir Zhechev too. At the end of the day, participants had the opportunity to get acquainted with the history of UE – Varna and present to other guests their own universities. The day also included a tour of UE – Varna, during which guests got acquainted with the history of the oldest higher institution of economics on the Balkan Peninsula, as well as with the database and the conditions and possibilities of UE – Varna to provide appropriate information, modern and digitized environment for student learning as a basis for meeting the nowadays higher education requirements and preparation for successful future career realization. Hall H 105 which was renovated by the financial support of Erasmus+ programme was shown to the guests.
The second day included workshops on topics related to the organization of the orientation weeks for incoming Erasmus+ students. Valentina Yordanova from the International Relations Office conducted “Crash course in Bulgarian”, thus delivering the first lecturers in Bulgarian language to the guests. During the day all participants set off on foot city walk tour of Varna, guiding by Evgeni Raychev, head of International Relations Office, and in the evening there was an opportunity to apply to the practice their knowledge of the Bulgarians folk traditions, such as folk dances, during the organized dinner in a folklore restaurant.
The third day of the week was dedicated to new requirements and trends of the new Erasmus+ programme period.
The participants in the workshop had the opportunity to receive the most up-to-date information on future trends in digitalisation in the organization and service of Erasmus+ Programme - "Erasmus without paper". Representatives were involved as lecturers in the workshop of the European University Foundation (EUF), which administers the processes of switch to Erasmus+ without paper. The day for the participants ended with an excursion to Aladzha Monastery and Cape Kaliakra.
The fourth day of the forum was related to the opportunities that Bulgaria provides for training and work, named: "„Discover, share, study; work in beautiful Bulgaria (Erasmus+ Internship)”. ”. Speaker and moderator of the panel was Mr. Ilin Dimitrov, Director at the Careers, Entrepreneurship and Marketing Center at the University of Economics in Varna and chairman of the Varna Tourist Chamber.
The certificate awarding of the participants in the international week took place in the last day of the forum and it was held in the mystical atmosphere of the museum "Old Varna", where with the kind assistance of the association "For you", the all guests immersed themselves in the atmosphere of our city with its ancient history and traditions.
The participants in the international week brought with them back home wonderful impressions from the excellent organization of the forum, organized by the International Relations Office of the UE – Varna, from the established new contacts and the new created contacts between colleagues from partner universities as a basis for a successful future cooperation and successful work under the Erasmus+ programme.
For the successful organization and realization of the Staff week, UE – Varna used financial means from the "Organizational support" of the following projects: 2018-1-BG01-KA103-047074; 2018-1-BG01-KA17-047429; 2019-1-BG01-KA103-061327; 2019-1-BG01-KA107-062046
05 Jul 2021
