The Minister of Education Visited the UNWE and Opened the Renovated Dormitory Block 61A

The Minister of Education and Science Prof. Dr. Sasho Penov visited the UNWE and met with the Rector Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov. During the meeting issues related to the academic and research work of our university were discussed.

Together with representatives of the UNWE Managing body and the Student Council the Minister Penov and Prof. Dimitrov cut the ribbon of the completely renovated Block 61A of university dormitories.

Plamen Penev, Executive Director of Student Canteens and Dormitories Unit, Angel Stoykov, Chairman of the Student Council, Daniel Parushev, Chairman of the National Representation of Student Councils /NRSC/, Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov, Prof. Dr. Sasho Penov, Prof. Tsvetana Stoyanova, Vice Rector for Institutional and Business Cooperation and Student Policies /from the left to the right/

Block 61A is the second of the three blocks of UNWE which was completely renovated through funds allocated by Decree No. 219 of the Council of Ministers of 17 August 2020, including the replacement of all installations - plumbing, electricity and heat supply, elevator systems, subscriber stations, replacement of all flooring and doors, roof repairs, replacement of windows and installation of thermal insulation. The balconies are glassed, which significantly increases the living area. All furniture, wall and ceiling coverings in all rooms have been replaced. Everything has been modernized and renovated. The first fully renovated Block 55D was opened in June 2022.

"Congratulations on the new acquisition", said the Rector Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov and outlined that the difference between the renovated dormitory blocks and the others is visible. "We want all the blocks of UNWE and blocks in the whole Student Town to look like this but it requires a lot of work and administrative capacity to make it happen. This block was renovated by the support of our students and the Student Council who helped with the exterior sanitation. Of all that have been allocated funds, the UNWE is one of the first to have two fully renovated blocks. Quite an efforts were made by the Rector's Managing body and the Student Canteens and Dormitories Unit to implement this event today. I would also like to mention the contribution of the previous Ministers of Education and Science - Krasimir Valchev and Acad. Nikolay Denkov because during their mandates the funds were voted and allocated. I thank, of course, also to Minister Penov for his support to receive the funds and to successfully complete the renovations", said Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov.

I would like to note that there is continuity in education and the previous ministers and I follow this programme aimed at improving the living environment of students because if we want to attract students and engage them in the educational process, it means that we should also provide them normal living conditions", said Minister Sasho Penov and added: "I have seen student dormitories in other countries and I can say that the currently renovated blocks in this way are comparable and even in many ways much better renovated than dormitories in other European countries. I was also happy to learn that the UNWE has the experience to use funds that are from students and to direct them to the renovation of the dormitories building facilities which is a very useful practice so I would love to see this practice used by other universities as well".

"I am happy to be here at this event", said the Chairman of the NRSC Daniel Parushev and pointed out: "We do not regret at all when two years ago the Ministry of Education and the NRSC decided which blocks to renovate and to allocate funds to the UNWE for the renovation of three entrances, because the UNWE is one of the few universities in the country filling the maximum capacity of its student dormitories. Today we open a facility that has over 300 beds. The UNWE is among the few universities that have been able to successfully complete the renovation of its facilities".

The funds for the renovation of the block were allocated by the Council of Ministers with the active assistance of the NRSC under a programme for reconstruction of student dormitories. It is targeted funding of over 10 million leva for the major renovation of Blocks 55B, 55D and 61A.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dragomir Stefanov, Secretary Secretary for Social and Living Issues of Undergraduates and International Students, who was also the moderator of the event, pointed out that the renovation of Block 55B is also to be completed.

During his visit to the UNWE the Minister Sasho Penov visited the Center for Video Monitoring in Block 53, Ent. B, built with own funds and donations from the partner companies of UNWE. It has more than 300 cameras that constantly broadcast lively. The Minister also visited the children`s room in Block 55D. It is the second acquisition of such kind to help the students with young children. The first children`s room was opened in January in Block 53B.