The Youth Economic Forum at the UNWE Ended with a Public Lecture by the Minister of Education and Science Prof. Dr. Galin Tzokov

The 20th Anniversary edition of the Youth Economic Forum /YEF/ 2023 organized by the UNWE Student Council and the National Representation of the Student Councils /NRSC/ ended with a public lecture by the Minister of Education and Science Prof. Dr. Galin Tsokov. This year the theme of the Forum was Bulgaria in the Eurozone - Prospects and Challenges for Young People.

Daniel Parushev, Chairman of the NRSC, the Rector of UNWE Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov, the Minister of Education and Science Prof. Galin Tsokov, Ilian Chabukliisky, Chairman of the Student Council at UNWE /from the right to the left/

"It`s an honour for me to welcome you to the last lecture of the 20th Anniversary edition of the Youth Economic Forum. During the event this year we had the opportunity to meet with government officials and politicians at the highest level. On the first day the guest lecturer was the Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgari, Acad. Nikolay Denkov. Within the programme, a lecture was held by Krasimir Valchev, Chairman of the Committee on Education and Science at National Assembly and former Minister of Education. Now our guest is the current Minister of Education and Science Prof. Dr. Galin Tsokov. I would like to express my gratitude to him for respecting the Forum and for presenting his views on the topic Bulgaria in the Eurozone - Prospects and Challenges for Young People", said the Chairman of the Student Council Ilian Chabukliisky.

The Rector of UNWE Prof. Dimitar Dimitrov greeted the Student Council and the NRSC for the efforts they have made to organize the jubilee edition of the Forum and outlined: “In the frameworks of the programme we met with government officials and politicians who are at the head of the state which speaks a lot about the prestige of the event and our university. All this is done in the name of our students because they deserve it. I think that the most natural place to hold these lectures within the Youth Economic Forum is right here at the UNWE because since its establishment, graduates of our university have occupied a worthy place among the spiritual, managerial and economic elite of the nation.

"I would like to greet you on the occasion of the 20th Anniversary of the Youth Economic Forum and for being here today, because it is a good indication that you are interested in what happens in higher education and in the system in particular but also at a high state level", said the Chairman of the NRSC Daniel Parushev and addressed to Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov: "I would also like to greet the Rector of UNWE for the good partnership that he has with the Student Council, because the good things that happen at the University are built precisely on the good cooperation with the students. It shows that students are valued that`s why the UNWE moves forward and achieve these high results".

Prof. Dr. Matilda Alexandrova, Vice-Rector for Educational Activity of UNWE, Assoc. Prof. D.Sc. Michael Musov, Vice Rector for Research and International Affairs of UNWE, Prof. Dr. Eng. Lilyana Valcheva, Chairman of the UNWE Trustees Council and Chairwoman of the National Branch Syndicate Higher Education and Science to the Independent Syndicates Confederation /from the left to the right/

The Minister of Education and Science Prof. Galin Tsokov pointed out that the topic of the Forum is extremely relevant and important not only for the development of our country, but also for the young people and pointed out: "The data show a direct link between the level of education, the authority of the higher education institution and the income levels of the personnel on the labor market".

"A few days ago we presented the data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development /OECD/ annual report in the field of education, which shows that we still fall behind in some parameters", said Minister Tsokov. He gave the example of the share of people with higher education. In Bulgaria - 30% of people between 25 and 64 years old have a university degree while in the neighboring countries this share is significantly higher. "For years in the public space it has been said that we have a high share of graduates, but the data show that this is not the case. Here is your role as young people - to infect more of your peers with your experience and the successes you achieve, so that they follow in your footsteps", addressed the students the Minister. He also cited the OECD data showing that in Bulgaria 25-34-years old workers having Bachelor's degree /or equivalent/ earn 81% more than those without a high school education, while those having Master's or Doctoral degree /or equivalent/ earn 139% more.

Prof. Dr. Tsvetana Stoyanova,Vice Rector for Institutional and Business Cooperation and Student Policies of UNWE and Gergana Kirilova, Director of the Rector's Office /from the left to the right/

"Today we learn not a profession for life, but how to be successful at the labour market. We have to change our education in this way and to form much more soft skills in pupils and students to help them be successful in the changing world", underlined Galin Tsokov. He added that the main task for his team is to change the structure of education to meet these requirements. "Along with this, it is important that the higher education is not left behind as well as to have more smart universities and implement digital solutions aimed at developing the competences of young people", said Prof. Galin Tsokov.

During his participation in the Forum Prof. Tsokov also pointed out some of the advantages for young people of Bulgaria's entry into the Eurozone and answered the questions by students.

The Minister of Education and Science Prof. Galin Tsokov was awarded by the Student Council the Honorary Plaque for a Significant Contribution to the Promotion and Development of YEF.

“I would like to express a huge thankfulness for the respect that the Student Council leadership and NRSC have to me. It means a lot to me because over the last four years the Student Council has been active and the Youth Economic Forum has brought together a great number of distinguished guests who I am sure have contributed to the development of the student community. Something that pleases me even more is that the event continues to be built upon and the current leadership of the Student Council in the person of Mr. Ilian Chabukliisky and his team continue in this direction. I would also like to express thankfulness to Mr. Daniel Parushev for the good cooperation over the years", said Angel Stoykov receiving the Honorary Plaque.

The Minister of Education and Science Prof. Galin Tsokov wrote a message in the Honorary Book of the Student Council at UNWE.