Based on Article 32, paragraph 1, item 1 of the Higher Education Act and in connection with the decision of the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria adopted on 03.04.2020 regarding the duration of the declared state of emergency, as well as with the decisions of the National Operational Headquarters for limiting the danger of the spread of COVID-19 and the directives of the governing state authorities with Order No. 1156, issued on 12.05.2020, the Rector of the Technical University – Sofia, Prof. Dr. Eng. Ivan Králov, introduces new measures, effective from 14.05.2020 :
The remote form of student education continues until the end of the summer semester 2020, with the exception of classes that cannot be conducted remotely (laboratories, practicals, internships), as well as state exams and thesis defenses.
During the period 14-16.05.2020, heads of primary and basic units must organize the conduct of laboratory, practical, and other classes for graduates (8th semester bachelors) that were not conducted in remote form.
During the period 14-30.05.2020, including the conduct of exams from the exam session for graduates (8th semester bachelors), it may also be in-person, with full compliance with the nationally declared rules for hygiene and distancing. The conduct of exams in remote form shall be carried out in compliance with regulatory requirements and the Rules for Conducting Exams at TU-Sofia.
Until 05.06.2020, remote education for the remaining students continues, with the exception of classes that cannot be conducted remotely (laboratories, practicals, internships). In-person classes are conducted during the period 25.05.-06.06.2020 according to a schedule agreed upon between lecturers, students, and the academic department. In-person classes at the Sports Complex are not conducted.
The summer exam session for bachelors from 1st to 3rd year is during the period 08.06.-27.06.2020, and the format of the exams may be in-person or remote. In case of objective impossibility for a student to take an exam (due to quarantine, staying abroad, lack of technical connectivity, etc.), the examiners must provide additional dates during the following sessions.
All in-person classes and exams are conducted with full compliance with the nationally declared anti-epidemic requirements.
Events related to urgent procedures (under the Public Procurement Act, the State and Municipal Property Act, etc.) are conducted in-person in compliance with the national anti-epidemic requirements.
The final in-person sessions of the juries, meetings of university commissions, as well as councils and assemblies of all units, may be held in person after 25.05.2020, only if it is possible to comply with the national anti-epidemic requirements.
It is recommended to postpone planned mass events for a period not earlier than the end of June.
The applicant campaign continues according to the announced schedule, unless the epidemic situation and the recommendations of the National Operational Headquarters dictate otherwise.
The activities of the student cafeterias at TU-Sofia remain suspended. Necessary measures for disinfection and implementation of the recommendations of the National Operational Headquarters are being taken in the student dormitories of TU-Sofia.
As of 14.05.2020, entry into the TU-Sofia buildings is allowed from 7 to 19 hours, and exit until 21 hours. Access is granted only to teachers, researchers, students, PhD students, course participants, and employees in the faculties and departments of TU-Sofia, as well as those servicing the adjacent infrastructure, including leased premises. Those entering the buildings must register with an identity document verified by security.
Teachers who work through remote learning or on projects, as well as employees working remotely, must provide daily reports on their work duties for approval by the unit heads after the termination of remote work.
All business trips and travel abroad of academic staff, employees, PhD students, and students are minimized, except in exceptional cases where they cannot be postponed or canceled. Upon return from abroad, a 14-day quarantine period is recommended, which also applies to foreign teachers, researchers, and students arriving from abroad. Heads of all units whose subordinates return from abroad or receive foreign representatives must organize information dissemination regarding this and related orders, and if necessary, submit a report on their route and health status to the Rector's leadership through the Vice-Rectors for Academic Staff and Coordination (ASiC) and for Educational Activities and Accreditation (UDiA).
The Building Maintenance Department should provide disinfection and hygiene materials to be placed in suitable locations. The caretakers of blocks are obliged to organize disinfection of floors and surfaces in the TU-Sofia buildings, including exam halls after each exam or class.
The heads of the branch units are obliged to organize the same working regime in the units entrusted to them.
