On 17.06.2022, President Rumen Radev visited the Technical University – Sofia, where he toured the newly opened National Center for Mechatronics and Clean Technologies, Student City Campus. The Rector of the Technical University, Prof. Dr. Eng. Ivan Králov, welcomed President Rumen Radev and presented the National Center for Mechatronics and Clean Technologies – from concept to implementation – highlighting its role in fostering innovations in the most advanced fields of science and their transfer to industry and society. The Center operates 16 laboratories equipped with modern equipment, where distinguished scientists and young specialists work alike.
In his welcome address, President Rumen Radev stated: "The implementation of this project is of great significance for Bulgarian education and science, as well as for the future of Bulgaria. With this center, Bulgaria sends a strong message that it wants to return to the world map of scientific and technological progress, where it belongs. We will not achieve social and economic convergence with the developed countries of the European Union until we achieve convergence in the educational and scientific spheres."
The Head of the National Center for Mechatronics and Clean Technologies, Student City Campus, Prof. Dr. Eng. Georgi Todorov, gave a presentation on the construction, current, and future activities of the Center.
President Rumen Radev toured the laboratories and met with the researchers and the projects they are working on, followed by an official meeting with the rectorate leadership of the Technical University – Sofia.
The National Center for Mechatronics and Clean Technologies was built with European and national co-financing. Its goal is to bring together renowned scientists in the field of mechatronics and clean technologies and to create a leading scientific institution in this area that will conduct research, develop innovations, and stimulate technological development for the benefit of society.
Partners in the project include the Technical University – Sofia, 12 institutes of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski", Technical University – Varna, Technical University – Gabrovo, University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy, and the Central Laboratory of Applied Physics at BAS – Plovdiv. Universities from Israel, the Netherlands, and Switzerland, as well as business representatives, also participate in the Center's activities.
