On April 10, 2023, an innovative laboratory funded by "Bosch Engineering Center Sofia" was opened at the Technical University – Sofia, within the Faculty of Industrial Technologies. The laboratory is equipped with 32 computer configurations, development kits, and specific measuring instruments used in the work process and real production environment, enabling future engineers to acquire the necessary basic and specialized knowledge and practical skills. Students majoring in "Intelligent Systems and Artificial Intelligence" will be trained there.
The construction of the laboratory is implemented within the framework of a cooperation agreement signed last year between TU – Sofia and "Bosch Engineering Center Sofia" with a 10-year horizon. The new bachelor program in "Intelligent Systems and Artificial Intelligence" was developed with the participation of "Bosch Engineering Center Sofia" and immediately attracted the interest of young people. The goal of the training is for students to gain in-depth knowledge in computer science and mathematics, necessary for practical applications of artificial intelligence (AI), as well as up-to-date knowledge of the latest technologies in the field of industry and information technology. The training is conducted in Bulgarian and English. Experts from "Bosch Engineering Center Sofia" are expected to play an important role in teaching the specially created practical module "Intelligent Technologies for the Automotive Industry", which is part of the curriculum.
The Rector of the Technical University - Sofia, Prof. Dr. Eng. Ivan Králov, emphasized at the ceremony that the opening of the laboratory demonstrates the business sector's attitude towards higher technical education, which must meet contemporary requirements. "The cooperation between the Technical University – Sofia and 'Bosch Engineering Center Sofia' elevates the role of higher technical education by combining the capabilities of modern technology with the abilities of young people in the training process. This new interdisciplinary major aligns with current labor market needs, global trends in higher education, and business requirements," added Prof. Králov.
The Chief Executive Officer of "Robert Bosch - Bulgaria" Konstantin Konov emphasized the importance of business collaboration with universities. "In less than five years since the establishment of the engineering center, Bosch has become a leading high-tech company in Bulgaria. Currently, over 600 engineers work with us on projects that, in terms of content, technology, and scale, have no analog in Bulgaria. To develop our business, partnership with universities is strategically important for us." He added that the laboratory will have everything necessary to train students to a world-class level, meeting Bosch standards, so that they do not need to go abroad to access such training. "In the future, we will also develop our ties with universities. This is the only path for the development of the high-tech industry in Bulgaria," Konstantin Konov said.
According to the Dean of the Faculty of Industrial Technologies, Prof. Dr. Eng. Georgi Todorov, today a new page is opened in the development of the Technical University – Sofia. Prof. Georgi Todorov stated: "Today we are doing much more than just opening a new laboratory; we are outlining an entirely new initiative in the field of technology," Todorov pointed out. "What is impressive is two things: artificial intelligence is at the crest of the technological wave and will likely not step down from its leading role for a long time, and we are demonstrating something that is discussed in our society and around the world – the close link between business and science. Collaboration with a global company like Bosch gives a new perspective to education at Technical University – Sofia. With the new specialization, we are developing a new paradigm for more project-oriented training, for more solution-oriented approaches that are not for today but are targeted at what will happen tomorrow, in creating specialists for Bulgaria and Europe who will be competitive in the global market, in the battle for technology that is currently unfolding worldwide. Together with business, we believe that for us there is only one level – the world-class level, and when we are supported by a global company, we are twice as confident in this."
At the ceremony for the opening of the laboratory, attended were Dinko Rusev, Engineering Director of "Bosch Engineering Center Sofia", Antoaneta Antova-Georgieva and Lyudmil Mutafchiev, heads of engineering departments at "Bosch Engineering Center Sofia", Prof. Dr. Georgi Venkov, Vice-Rector for Academic Staff and Coordination, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Eng. Lidia Galabova, Vice-Rector for Scientific and Applied Activities, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Eng. Rosen Radonov, Vice-Rector for Electronic Management, Prof. Dr. Eng. Valyu Nikolov, Director of the Plovdiv Branch of TU – Sofia, deans and vice-deans, faculty members, doctoral students, and students.
