XX International Scientific Conference: Bulgarian Membership in the European Union: Fourteen Years Later

XX Jubilee International Scientific Conference: Bulgarian Membership in the European Union: Fourteen Years Later was held at the UNWE. It is organized by the International Economic Relations and Business Department at International Economics and Politics Faculty of UNWE.

The opening of the Conference was also attended by the Minister of Finance of the Republic of Bulgaria Dr. Valeri Belchev.

Prof. Dr. Milanka Slavova, Head of the International Economic Relations and Business Department, Dr. Valeri Belchev, Prof. Dr. Mihail Musov, Vice-Rector for Research and International Affairs, Assoc. Svetla Boneva, Secretary General for Research Projects, UNWE, Prof. D.Sc./Econ./ Tatyana Hubenova-Delisivkova, President of the Union of Economists in Bulgaria /from the left to the right/

"It is an honour and pleasure for me to welcome all of you to the Jubilee Conference", these were the words the Head of the International Economic Relations and Business Department Prof. Dr. Milanka Slavova greeted the attendees in the hall. She introduced the official guests at the Presidium and emphasized on the merits of the Secretary General for Research Projects of UNWE Assoc. Prof. Dr. Svetla Boneva - initiator of the Conference 20 years ago with an active role in organizing and conducting the Forum over the years. Prof. Slavova pointed out some of the achievements of the Department: it continues to lead competitive specialties; it is the first Department opened a Bachelor's Degree Programme in English; it participates in dual programs with world universities, creates new specialties and for the last 6 years it has over 75 Doctoral students.

Prof. Dr. Milanka Slavova

At the opening the Rector Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov in a video address emphasized on the importance of the event. He reminded that every year more than 30 papers of the Conference are published in a specialized collection. "It is commendable that in the recent years they have been indexed in the CEEOL database and various other sources related to the referenced databases. The topic of the Conference is always actual because over the years we have obtained enough experience and knowledge about what lies ahead for our country within the EU."

Prof. Dimitrov wished success and fruitful work to the participants

The Rector pointed out that the Conference was attended by representatives of the state administration who are directly involved in Bulgaria's interaction with the EU structures. He did not fail to emphasize his contentment with the increased students participation in the Forum became possible after the organized student competition with an award from the Rector for the best research.

The Minister of Finance Dr. Valeri Belchev, Ph.D. of International Economic Relations and Business Department, told how as a child although he was a good student he did not like to go to school because he felt tied to one place. What triggered the change was His admission to UNWE has changed his life. "I felt that I was surrounded by like-minded people and that the lecturers were wise and worthy enough to lead me on my path. I had the fortune to study abroad but I always returned to UNWE. I really believe in the good that happens in this Department so we should not be modest in proving it."

Dr. Valeri Belchev: "We must all move forward with our heads held high, because we have something to show."

Today is a holiday not only for the Department, but also for the whole University, decalred the Vice-Rector for Research and International Affairs Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mihail Musov,. "The International Economic Relations and Business Department is one of the emblematic UNWE departments. A similar forum suits her very well. A forum that has also become iconic over the years. One of the reason for this is that officials who care about our university take always active part in the Conference. This relation with the stakeholders is very important because it presupposes the so-called impact which is in the basis of the third mission of higher education. The other specific feature of the Forum is the traditional students competition for economic paper on the Conference topic."

Assoc. Prof. Musov: "The participation of young scientists, Docotoral students and undergraduates in the research is the only way to sustainable development of research and high impact"

"The occasion is wonderful and I greet the organizers for the perseverance and creative search to follow the development of European integration in a 20-year period," welcomed the event the President of the Union of Economists in Bulgaria Prof. D.Sc./Econ./ Tatyana Hubenova-Delisivkova. "This Conference gives an occasion for expressing the Bulgarian economic integration in the EU. What the International Economic Relations and Business Department has done is commendable, it has always contributed to the Bulgarian economy development with its desire to integrate into global processes and restructure of international relations. The Department develops the knowledge economy", outlined Prof. Hubenova.

"European integration is a challenge for both researchers and practitioners. It will still be an opportunity for creative expression both for lecturers and students", said Prof. Hubenova.

"It is a great honour and excitement for me in my institutional capacity as Dean to welcome this confirmed Forum. To have an established tradition of gathering the scientific community in one place is a great achievement in today's fast and dynamic times. It is already an institution", pointed out Assoc. Prof. Dr. Maria Bakalova, Dean of the International Economics and Politics Faculty. "The International Economic Relations and Business Department is the core and driving force of the International Economics and Politics Faculty and it is recognized by all of us. The Department has a long history. Generations which upgrade and have continuity have passed through it", emphasized the Dean of the Faculty.

Assoc. Prof. Bakalova: "We must not forget the important role of this type of forums which reproduce over time socializing generations of students".

Prof. D.Sc./Econ./ Bistra Boeva, Professor Emeritus of UNWE, longstanding Head of the International Economic Relations and Business Department outlined that the human factor is fundamental and extremely important. She compared the 20th edition of the Conference to Generation Z which is confident and demonstrates itself, not imitates. Prof. Boeva pointed out that the reports presented over the years and today do not consider the EU only in the framework of regulations and directives but in the context of its participation in global processes and phenomena.

Prof. Boeva pointed out that the Department is a forge of people of the future, a place where serious specialists confirm themselves.

"The forums organized by the University of National and World Economy contain the difficult combination of relevance and sustainability. This Conference is one of the examples of this sustainability. The interim results of a number of research projects has been announced to the scientific community more than once during the Conference. There have been debates, the time has been not enough for the panelists and lots of incoming questions are a traditional challenge for the moderators of the panels", summerized  the creator of the project Assoc. Prof. Dr. Svetla Boneva.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Svetla Boneva, Secretary General for UNWE Research Projects

Assoc. Prof. Boneva emphasized that thе Conference would be impossible without the active participation of her colleagues from the Department as organizers and authors of extremely interesting reports. "I would like to express my special thankfulness to the moderators of the Conference panels - Assoc. Prof. Dr. Silvia Kirova, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Alexander Hristov, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dobroslav Mollov, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vasil Petkov, Ch. Assist. Dr. Monica Moraliiska. Prof. Dr. Svetlana Alexandrova was the scientific advisor of our guest today - the Minister of Finance Dr. Valeri Belchev. We owe his participation in the Forum to her. All Heads of the Department over the last 20 years - Prof. Dr. Milanka Slavova, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ivan Stoychev and Prof. D.Sc./Econ./ Bistra Boeva have annually worked for the establishment of this scientific fForum and for the development of the Department as a whole", added Prof. Boneva.

"Every year jointly with the Student Council we organize a student competition. This year members of the jury which will award the best students are our younger colleagues: Ch. Assist. Dr. Vasil Gechev, Chief Assist. Dr. Monica Moraliiska, Chief Assist. Dr. Valentin Bilyansky, Assist. Dr. Margarita Ivanova. The Scientific Secretary of the Department - Assoc. Prof. Dr. Silvia Kirova is the  Chairperson of the Scientific Jury for Evaluation of Student Papers, and its members are the Doctoral student Martin Petkov and one student representative of the Student Council - this year by the decision of students it is Greta Popova.“

During the students competition: the jury and the students

Greetings

"During all these years, you have tirelessly proved your competence in the field of European integration and Bulgaria's place in it. Be proud! It is a sign of high professionalism, dedicated work and conscious responsibility."

International Economic Relations and Business Department

Economic Academy

"Dimitar Apostolov Tsenov" - Svishtov

 

"The International Economic Relations and Business Department at the University of National and World Economy proves once again that it is an attractive center for the highest quality research in the field of economics in our country as well as for leading scientists in key areas of modern economy."

International Economic Relations and Business Department

University of Economics - Varna

 

"The Conference has always filled with a spirit of creativity and close to practice solutions also with the interesting guests - representatives of the state administration, business and non-profit sector."

Free University of Burgas

 

"For 20 years you have managed to create not only an emblematic for the university conference tradition but also to build significant scientific potential in the field of European integration through the prism of Bulgarian membership in the European Union. All this is achieved with a lot of work and dedication.“

Political Science Department

UNWE