Associate Professor Dr. Eng. Nikola Shakev, Director of the Technical University Sofia - Plovdiv Branch
- Associate Professor Shakev, now is the moment for the graduating class of 2025 and their parents to make a strategic life choice - whether to continue studying and where to apply? What should they be informed about when making this choice?
- This choice is individual and there is no rule for it. It is important for the young person to take the direction in which they feel they will be most useful to themselves and to society. At the Technical University - Plovdiv Branch, we expect young people who link their future with the development of technologies and the challenges that are to be solved in Bulgaria and globally - information technology, industry and transport, artificial intelligence, etc.
- Is it worth studying at the Technical University - Plovdiv Branch?
- In recent years, interest in our education has been steadily increasing. The reasons for this are the solid training that students receive here. We have modern educational infrastructure and have equipped unique laboratories in the country. Thus, students have the opportunity to fully benefit from this scientific and technical potential of the higher education institution.
- Is the training difficult here?
- For students who are motivated and interested, it is easy and engaging. Of course, there are always difficulties. But this helps our students to develop as individuals and as professionals.
- When students find it difficult, who do they seek help from? Do teachers help them? Are they allowed to make mistakes?
- The best thing for a lecturer is when a student comes to them to say what they did not understand and want to understand it. We want to work with such students - inquiring, interested, curious, trying. As for mistakes, we encourage students to try and try again.
- Can a typical Bulgarian family afford the cost of their child's education with you?
- Absolutely yes! The basic education at the Technical University - Plovdiv branch is in specialties that are state-funded. The fees that students pay for their education are affordable. The biggest investment a student makes is not the financial means for education, but the time they devote to science. Yes, money, funds, time can be invested elsewhere, but investment in education is reasonable, inspiring, with excellent returns. The emotional payoff is very important, because a person will receive satisfaction from their work for a lifetime. The engineering and IT specialists trained here are in high demand - they start their careers with high salaries. This allows them to have a decent standard of living.
- Is the diploma from the Technical University - Plovdiv branch valid abroad?
- TU - Sofia is a leading research university in the country and is part of the European Technological University EUT+, which also includes many established European technical universities. As we know, technical and information sciences are global. The language of technology is universal everywhere. Our university has a very good reputation in Europe, and the personnel trained by us are trusted. Additional opportunities in this regard are provided by the specialties taught in English. They provide excellent preparation for a career in multinational companies, whether in Bulgaria or abroad.
- How does the industry help the university in creating specialists?
- In the relationship between industry and science, there is no passive side. We have working partnerships with almost all major technical companies in the region. We have contracts for conducting both educational internships in the real conditions of the partner companies' industry, as well as specialists from these companies coming to teach their experience by conducting lectures and exercises with students. Companies provide students with opportunities for paid internships. Scholarship programs are developed for motivated outstanding students. These scholarships are an addition to the state scholarships for academic success.
- Do companies provide equipment for the laboratories of the Technical University - Plovdiv branch?
- Yes, some of the laboratories are equipped with equipment provided by companies in our region. Part of this equipment is a donation. But another form of cooperation is more important - providing the latest equipment for training with us, and when it becomes obsolete, replacing it with even newer ones. This way, we are always up to date.
- How do students remember the years they studied at the Technical University - Plovdiv Branch?
- During student life, strong long-lasting friendships are formed, which young people can rely on when they start working. They are sometimes as important as what is learned at the university. We rely heavily on students who studied with us to return to the university and support their colleagues who are starting their careers. A timely helping hand is very valuable.
- Will students have the option to choose new specialties this year?
- Yes, we are launching the specialty "Innovative Technologies in Defense." However, it is at the master's level. The ambition is for students in this specialty to gain knowledge of the new technologies necessary for our national security. The Technical University - Plovdiv Branch owes its creation 39 years ago to the need for technical personnel for the military industry. So now we are continuing what was started. Our branch has always been recognized as a source of engineering and IT personnel necessary for Bulgarian national security.
Dates and deadlines for submitting documents
Applications for the Technical University - Sofia, Plovdiv Branch are accepted from June 20 to July 4, inclusive
• Online
• In Hall 4430 in the university building at 25 Tsanko Dyustabanov St., Plovdiv (including Saturday and Sunday)
Announcement of the first ranking results - July 7, 2025
Announcement of the second ranking results - July 14, 2025
Enrollment to fill vacant places - until September 19, 2025
More information at www.tu-povdiv.bg/прием
Specialties at Technical University - Plovdiv Branch
Faculty of Electronics and Automation
• Computer Systems and Technologies
• Automation, Information and Control Engineering
• Design and Programming of Electronic Systems
• Electrical Engineering
• Industrial Engineering (in English)
Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Instrumentation
• Computer Modeling and Technologies in Mechanical Engineering
• Mechatronics
• Transport Engineering and Technologies
• Aviation Technology and Engineering
• Design and Print Communications
• Industrial Management
• Intelligent Systems and Artificial Intelligence
20.06.2025
