University of Economics – Varna co-organized the first forum on international research and cooperation opportunities for Bulgarian and Turkish universities. The initiative was held in Ankara, 25 – 28 April, with the support of the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Turkey. The forum was organized by University of Economics – Varna, Ankara University and Başkent University. His Excellency Angel Cholakov, Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria to Turkey, and Dr. Ilin Dimitrov, Bulgaria’s Minister of Tourism, attended the event as special guests. Participants discussed research opportunities and Erasmus+ collaboration options.
The forum was formally opened in the Ataum Conference Hall at Ankara University’s Faculty of Communication in the presence of Prof. Dr. Necdet Ünüvar, Rector of Ankara University, Prof. Dr. İ. Haldun Müderrisoğlu, President of Başkent University, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Radan Miryanov, Vice-Rector for Internationalization of University of Economics – Varna, deans, faculty members and admin officers from nine Bulgarian and 16 Turkish universities.
In his welcome address, Prof. Dr. Abdulrezak Altun, Dean of the Faculty of Communication at Ankara University, emphasized that the event was a result of the excellent cooperation between UE – Varna, Ankara University and Başkent University. He thanked Mr Evgeni Raychev, Head of the International Relations Office at UE – Varna, and Ms Selvet Niyazieva from the same office for initiating the forum and for their overall organization and coordination of the event. In his speech, Minister Dimitrov shared his belief that such events would further strengthen the well-established relations between the two countries, and improve the opportunities for student exchange from Turkey to Bulgaria and from Bulgaria to Turkey. Dr. Ilin Dimitrov added that the next edition of this forum would take place in Bulgaria, asking University of Economics – Varna to host the event.
His Excellency Angel Cholakov, Ambassador of Bulgaria to Turkey, pointed out that the year 2023 was a very important and successful year for both Bulgaria and Turkey, adding: ‘We are meeting today to once again achieve a new goal and have a fresh start. We are together to complete joint academic and cultural projects. We believe that this event will be the first of many. I am certain that young researchers and students from both countries will succeed in this project. I hope that this will be a very productive workshop for all stakeholders.’
Prof. Dr. Necdet Ünüvar emphasized that Ankara University had been a leader in Turkish higher education since its establishment, with the university accomplishing outstanding results in educational, scientific and public services research. Prof. Ünüvar explained that internationalization was a most important area for development and added: ‘We highly value internationalization to further develop intercultural competence and new teaching approaches, and enhance teaching quality.’
Ankara University is pro-active in its academic cooperation and student and faculty exchange. Prof. Ünüvar focused on the importance of the Erasmus+ programme and noted that every year Ankara University sent over a thousand students worldwide as part of the programme. Prof. Ünüvar pointed out that this forum organized in partnership with University of Economics – Varna and Başkent University would increase Erasmus+ collaboration between Turkish and Bulgarian universities. He further added that though Ankara University cooperated with universities globally, he specially cherished his relations with Bulgarian higher education institutions.
Prof. Dr. İ. Haldun Müderrisoğlu, President of Başkent University, said that this forum was instrumental in strengthening university cooperation between the two countries, promoting staff and student mobility, and boosting Erasmus+ projects.
In his welcoming speech, Prof. Dr. Radan Miryanov, Vice-Rector for Internationalization of University of Economics – Varna, thanked Ankara University and Başkent University for their hospitality, further stating that the current and future forums would be of great importance for the cooperation between the two countries’ universities prioritising internationalization. On behalf of the Rector of University of Economics – Varna, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Radan Miryanov presented UE – Varna honorary plaques to the Rector of Ankara University and the President of Başkent University.
The forum offered a number of activities, such as: discussions of Erasmus+ Key Action 1 cooperation; presentations of successful practices in project completion under Erasmus+ Key Action 2; B2B meetings of university representatives; social and cultural events.
The event provided Bulgarian and Turkish universities the opportunity to conclude institutional agreements, discuss future joint projects and initiatives. Ms Miroslava Ivanova, Head of Project Management at University of Economics – Varna, shared good practices in project proposal writing, and she further presented current UE – Varna projects.
04 May 2023
