UNWE Hosted Pythagoras Annual Awards for Contribution to Science for 2023

The UNWE is the first university which hosted Pythagoras Annual Awards of the Ministry of Education and Science for significant contribution of Bulgarian scientists and scientific teams to the development of science. The event has become a symbol of the relation between the education, science and culture. The 15^th edition coincides with the celebrations devoted to the 103 Anniversary of our university.

Nominations for participation in the competition were submitted both by scientific organizations, universities, teams of scientists and individuals. 51 scientists applied in the current year for contribution to science.

"Many people do not realize what a heroism it is to do science in Bulgaria and what challenges our scientists face. However, I dare to say that Bulgarian science continues to be world-class in a number of fields of knowledge and I greet all of you for that", said the Minister of Education and Science Prof. Dr. Sasho Penov. "These awards are part of the small contribution to which we as a society express our appreciation for the activities of scientists in Bulgaria. I will remind what Aristotle have said about Pythagoras and his followers: 'Always one quality of numbers is fairness. Another is soul and mind, the third is success!"

The Rector of UNWE Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov expressed thankfulness for the opportunity to host the ceremony for awarding the most prestigious prizes for scientific achievements. "The challenges of our time have shown us how important is the investments in science and education. Research and innovation contribute to the realization of citizens' priorities, boosting productivity and competitiveness. That is why at the UNWE we strive to provide practically oriented training and to develop practically-applied research", said Prof. Dimitrov

The Rector Prof. Dimitar Dimitrov and the presenter of the ceremony Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vladimir Bozhilov from St. Climent Ohridsky University of Sofia

Greeting addresses were received by the President of the Republic of Bulgaria Rumen Radev and the Chairman of the National Assembly Rosen Zhelyazkov.

"For these 15 years the Pythagoras Awards have really proved to be the most reputable and the proof of this is the large number of nominees from the universities and institutes of Bulgarian Academy of Sciences", said the Chairman of the jury Prof. Ivo Grabchev from St. Climent Ohridsky University of Sofia.

The Grand Prize Pythagoras for overall scientific contribution for 2023 was awarded to Prof. D.Sc./Chemistry/ Todor Dudev from St. Climent Ohridsky University of Sofia by the Minister of Education and Science Prof. Sasho Penov.

In the category of Distinguished Scientist in the field of Natural Sciences and Engineering the award was given to Corr. Member Prof. D.Sc. /Physics/ Stoycho Yazadzhiev from St. Climent Ohridsky University of Sofia. The prize was bestowed by Acad. Julian Revalsky, President of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. 

Atanas Maznev, Deputy Minister of e-Government, announced the two winners in the category of Young Scientist in the field of Natural Sciences and Engineering. These are Dr. Diana Cholakova from St. Climent Ohridsky University of Sofia and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yordan Georgiev from Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov University.

Katya Ivkova, Deputy Minister of Healthcare and graduate of the UNWE, bestowed the award for Established Scientist in the field of Life Sciences and Medicine to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Angel Dzhambov from the Medical University of Plovdiv and to Assist. Dr. Alexander Sirakov from the Medical University of Sofia. She shared she was excited to be in the UNWE Aula again after 15 years and was proud that the University was hosting the event.

The Rector Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov awarded the prize for Established Scientist in the field of Social Sciences and Humanities to the sociologist Prof. D.Sc./Soc./ Pepka Boyadzhieva from the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and the prize for Young Scientist in the field of Social Sciences and Humanities to Assoc. Prof. Dr. James Yolovsky from the Higher School of Insurance and Finance - Sofia and Doctoral Student of the Year of UNWE.

All nominees were awarded plaques, certificates and cash prizes.

The good mood was provided by the children's choir Bodra Smyana and students from Prof. Pancho Vladigerov National Academy of Music.