Round Table Conference on the Security for Business in Crysis Conditions /Economic, Energy and Cyber Aspects/

Tuesday, 12 April 2022 15:25

Round Table Conference on the Security for Business in Crisis Conditions /Economic, Energy and Cyber Aspects/ was held at the UNWE. The event was organized by the UNWE jointly with the Union for Economic Initiative /SSI/ with the support of Cyber Academy and the Department of National and Regional Security.

A special guest at the Forum was the Minister of Energy Alexander Nikolov, graduate of UNWE.

In the opening ceremony took part the Rector Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov, the Chairman of the SSI Management Board Vaska Baklarova, the Vice Dean for Quality and International Cooperation of the Faculty of Economics of Infrastructure and member of the SSI Management Board Assoc. Prof. Dr. Noncho Dimitrov and the Chairperson of the UNWE Trustees Council as well as Chairperson of the National Branch Syndicate of Higher Education and Science at Confederation of Independent Syndicates in Bulgaria /NBS-HES-CISB/ Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lilyana Valcheva.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Noncho Dimitrov, Minister Alexander Nikolov, Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov, Vaska Baklarova /from the left to the right/

The Rector Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov welcomed the participants in the Forum and outlined that the Department of National and Regional Security is the initiator of the Round Table Conference because the topic of security is extremely important and crucial for all sectors of the economy and life. "The security is like the air, we feel when we run out of air, the security is at the same principle, we don't think about it when everything goes well as the energy supplies, food supplies, and all sorts of things that are related to our health and personal security but when they disappear we realize that the security has actually existed and it has been quite important to us." Prof. Dimitrov pointed out that the cybersecurity also has a very important role and it will also continue having such role in the future. He added that the UNWE has a Programme on Cyber Security Management which is very successful and developing. He gave as example the United States where the cybersecurity is one of the priorities for the authorities at local and federal level and outlined that in the USA the cybersecurity education is encouraged by providing scholarships, by stimulating the creation of special programmes and training for lecturers.

"I have Bachelor and Master degree from the UNWE but now when I am here again, I don't know how to define this emotion. It's great to be here and to see the path the university goes on", said Minister Nikolov and addressed to students: "you are the main driving force, you are the people who will set the trend for the future, you are the challenge to the colleagues who teach you. In terms of economics, security, strategy, no matter which pillar of the overall macroeconomic picture we focus on, you are the most valuable asset. Bulgaria has to start appreciating its potential with dignity, to cultivate it, build it and to keep it. We have all the prospects for living well and it is up to you. The earlier you find your passion in the format of learning, personal development and ambition, the easier it will be to make the effort - it is your major mechanism to insure your future".

"It was very easy for me and my colleagues from the SSI to organize this Round Table Conference because the crises have become several - economic, energy, cyber crisis in the conditions of a war that is being fought quite close to our country and it is necessary to look for solutions. So we decided that it is the place to have this discussion and to address these messages which can come out jointly both from the academic circles and from the business to our students, so that they can see what problems we solve here and where they will go when they finish their studies", said Assoc. Prof. Noncho Dimitrov.

"UNWE has the scientific capabilities because it is the cradle where some of the greatest specialists in the three areas of finance, energy and cybersecurity are reborn and built. These are the three themes that the SSI as a national employers' organization works on for a long time before the current crises were formed", said Vaska Baklarova. She outlined that the systems where the SSI develops common objectives with the UNWE are related to the European Green Deal, financial instruments during crises and digital transformation.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lilyana Valcheva, greeted the participants in the Round Table Conference and talked about the efforts made for funding the higher education.

The Round Table Conference continued its work with the presentation of papers and discussion on the thematic areas.

The Vice-Rector for Digitalization and Cyber Security Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rosen Kirillov also joined the discussion. He presented the current actions undertaken by the university in the field of cybersecurity.

The energy expert attorney-at-law Nikolay Kiskinov delivered a presentation on the energy security, Sofia Kasidova, Head of Strategic and Sustainable Development at the Bulgarian Development Bank /BDB/, focused in her report on the financial instruments, the Green Deal and opportunities of funding renewable energy projects and Small and Medium Enterprises /SME`s/. Deputy Chairman of the Board of SSI Svetlin Iliev delivered a presentation on cybersecurity, Svetoslava Georgieva, member of the Management Board of the Union and the Investment Committee of the InvestEU Programme, focused on the financial instruments in the context of the crisis and presented the InvestEU Programme under which the European Commission will invest in Europe over 372 billion by 2027.

The Minister of Energy wrote in the Golden Book of UNWE:

"Dear Professor Dimitrov,

Dear colleagues and lecturers,

Thank you for the effort, knowledge, experience you give to all students.

Thank you for remaining a solid foundation, a guarantee of our future prosperity in times filled with risks and obstacles.

Thank you that every time I return here I am more and more proud and confident that the path of Bulgarian education no matter how difficult is it will be successful. I heartily wish everyone health, indomitable spirit and confidence on the path of knowledge.

In front of the Wall of Fame entitled UNWE Lecturers and Alumni in the State Elite of Bulgaria where is written the name of Minister Nikolov

Photo gallery from Round Table Conference on the Security for Business in Crysis Conditions /Econom ...