
The Technical University (TU) in Sofia is proud of its graduates - over 170,000 engineers and managers. Many of them are world-renowned scientists and statesmen, dedicated to science and prosperity, said the Rector of TU in Sofia, Prof. Dr. Georgi Venkov, at the celebratory event in the National Theatre "Ivan Vazov" for the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the higher education institution.
He recalled that the Technical University in Sofia turned 80 years old a few days ago. On October 24, 1945, the Higher Technical College, established in 1942, became the State Polytechnic with two faculties by law. In 1965, the State Polytechnic was renamed the Higher Machine-Electrical Engineering Institute - HMEI, and in 1995, it was transformed into the Technical University in Sofia.
Throughout all these years, TU in Sofia has been developing, expanding, and modernizing, so that today we can proudly state that it is the largest and leading higher technical education institution in Bulgaria and in the region, said the Rector.
Over 11,000 students are currently studying at the Technical University in Sofia in various degrees and specialties, including nearly 1,000 international students from all over the world. Its structure includes 14 faculties in Sofia, three of which are in foreign languages - German, English, and French, two branches in Plovdiv and Sliven, and two colleges. Also operating under TU-Sofia are two professional high schools - the Technological College "Electronic Systems" in Sofia and the National Professional High School of Computer Technologies and Systems in Pravets, said Prof. Georgi Venkov.
He noted that the new specialties - cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data analysis, intelligent systems in industry, city, and home, aerospace engineering, are already established and priorities for TU-Sofia. The university prepares specialists in the sectors of information technology, telecommunications, electronics, robotics, mechatronics, automation, electrical engineering, and energy, transport, management, and others.
We are building world-class engineers who are leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs who are changing the present. They are building the future at a pace that was unthinkable in the recent past. Our task is to keep pace with global trends in the development of technologies, because the goal of the university is to create specialists who will very soon become pillars and drivers of progress. It will be their task to help with vision and innovation, so that people can live in an orderly, secure, peaceful, and prosperous world, said the Rector.
Prof. Venkov noted that TU Sofia is a leading research university, part of the European University of Technology - EUT+, which also includes eight established European technical universities. TU Sofia's membership in the EUT+ alliance opens new horizons and places the university on the map of next-generation European higher education. This cooperation provides our students, researchers, and faculty with the unique opportunity to study, teach, and conduct scientific activities at any of the partner universities. "We are becoming true global citizens - with access to diverse academic cultures, innovative practices, and broad opportunities for professional development. Our presence in the international research space, as well as the attraction of leading foreign researchers, is a prerequisite for the sustainable development of the university and a guarantee of modern education in accordance with the requirements and innovations of the labor market," said Prof. Georgi Venkov.
"Under these conditions, our university is becoming an increasingly significant and sought-after partner. We have established ourselves as a center of excellence in scientific achievements. The university collaborates with businesses on numerous projects for developing new products, implementing innovations, transferring technology, and building a sustainable ecosystem. We support student innovation projects and entrepreneurial initiatives by providing mentorship and access to the most advanced scientific infrastructure. Key research areas at TU Sofia include virtual engineering and digital technologies, energy efficiency and renewable energy sources, microtechnologies and nanoengineering, information and communication technologies, medical engineering, ecology, and many others," noted the Rector.
He added that, in addition to this, they actively cooperate with state institutions to shape policies and initiatives that promote innovation and digital transformation in the country. The innovative environment at TU Sofia is proof that when academia, industry, and the state work together, scientific research can make a real contribution to successful development in many areas of society.
"The Technical University in Sofia has achieved these impressive successes thanks to its thousands of teachers, scientists, and staff who, over these 80 years, have devotedly worked in the name of science and technical progress. We are proud of our graduates - over 170,000 engineers and managers. Many of them are world-renowned scientists and statesmen, dedicated to science and prosperity. Let us remain worthy heirs and followers of the pioneers of technical sciences in Bulgaria, of the scientists and teachers who contributed to the establishment and development of our university, and to the elevation of its international and undisputed authority," with these words, the Rector of TU Sofia, Prof. Georgi Venkov, concluded his speech.
Among those present at the solemn celebration were Vice President Iliana Yotova, Professor Liliana Vacheva, Chair of the National Branch Trade Union "Higher Education and Science" under the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (KNSB), faculty members, doctoral students, students, and staff of the Technical University of Sofia.
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He recalled that the Technical University in Sofia turned 80 years old a few days ago. On October 24, 1945, the Higher Technical College, established in 1942, became the State Polytechnic with two faculties by law. In 1965, the State Polytechnic was renamed the Higher Machine-Electrical Engineering Institute - HMEI, and in 1995, it was transformed into the Technical University in Sofia.
Throughout all these years, TU in Sofia has been developing, expanding, and modernizing, so that today we can proudly state that it is the largest and leading higher technical education institution in Bulgaria and in the region, said the Rector.
Over 11,000 students are currently studying at the Technical University in Sofia in various degrees and specialties, including nearly 1,000 international students from all over the world. Its structure includes 14 faculties in Sofia, three of which are in foreign languages - German, English, and French, two branches in Plovdiv and Sliven, and two colleges. Also operating under TU-Sofia are two professional high schools - the Technological College "Electronic Systems" in Sofia and the National Professional High School of Computer Technologies and Systems in Pravets, said Prof. Georgi Venkov.
He noted that the new specialties - cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data analysis, intelligent systems in industry, city, and home, aerospace engineering, are already established and priorities for TU-Sofia. The university prepares specialists in the sectors of information technology, telecommunications, electronics, robotics, mechatronics, automation, electrical engineering, and energy, transport, management, and others.
We are building world-class engineers who are leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs who are changing the present. They are building the future at a pace that was unthinkable in the recent past. Our task is to keep pace with global trends in the development of technologies, because the goal of the university is to create specialists who will very soon become pillars and drivers of progress. It will be their task to help with vision and innovation, so that people can live in an orderly, secure, peaceful, and prosperous world, said the Rector.
Prof. Venkov noted that TU Sofia is a leading research university, part of the European University of Technology - EUT+, which also includes eight established European technical universities. TU Sofia's membership in the EUT+ alliance opens new horizons and places the university on the map of next-generation European higher education. This cooperation provides our students, researchers, and faculty with the unique opportunity to study, teach, and conduct scientific activities at any of the partner universities. "We are becoming true global citizens - with access to diverse academic cultures, innovative practices, and broad opportunities for professional development. Our presence in the international research space, as well as the attraction of leading foreign researchers, is a prerequisite for the sustainable development of the university and a guarantee of modern education in accordance with the requirements and innovations of the labor market," said Prof. Georgi Venkov.
"Under these conditions, our university is becoming an increasingly significant and sought-after partner. We have established ourselves as a center of excellence in scientific achievements. The university collaborates with businesses on numerous projects for developing new products, implementing innovations, transferring technology, and building a sustainable ecosystem. We support student innovation projects and entrepreneurial initiatives by providing mentorship and access to the most advanced scientific infrastructure. Key research areas at TU Sofia include virtual engineering and digital technologies, energy efficiency and renewable energy sources, microtechnologies and nanoengineering, information and communication technologies, medical engineering, ecology, and many others," noted the Rector.
He added that, in addition to this, they actively cooperate with state institutions to shape policies and initiatives that promote innovation and digital transformation in the country. The innovative environment at TU Sofia is proof that when academia, industry, and the state work together, scientific research can make a real contribution to successful development in many areas of society.
"The Technical University in Sofia has achieved these impressive successes thanks to its thousands of teachers, scientists, and staff who, over these 80 years, have devotedly worked in the name of science and technical progress. We are proud of our graduates - over 170,000 engineers and managers. Many of them are world-renowned scientists and statesmen, dedicated to science and prosperity. Let us remain worthy heirs and followers of the pioneers of technical sciences in Bulgaria, of the scientists and teachers who contributed to the establishment and development of our university, and to the elevation of its international and undisputed authority," with these words, the Rector of TU Sofia, Prof. Georgi Venkov, concluded his speech.
Among those present at the solemn celebration were Vice President Iliana Yotova, Professor Liliana Vacheva, Chair of the National Branch Trade Union "Higher Education and Science" under the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (KNSB), faculty members, doctoral students, students, and staff of the Technical University of Sofia.
bta.bg


