The Rector Prof. Dimitar Dimitrov Says in an Interview for the Magazine Banker Special: The UNWE Creates Leaders, Innovators and Specialists
In Volume 77 of the magazine Banker Special you can read a conversation with the Rector of UNWE Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov.
The questions in it are raised by the Editor-in-Chief Sylvia Dzhagarova and the journalist Kaloyan Atanasov.
Prof. Dr. Dimitrov, a year ago you were elected as Rector of UNWE with a second term until the end of 2027. What do you want to upgrade at the University?
My major priority is the sustainable development of UNWE as a leader in economic and managerial education in Bulgaria and in the region. The second term gives me the opportunity to continue the projects we have started and to build on them in several key areas.
The first one is the modernization of education, including the implementation of digital technologies and innovative teaching methods as well as the completion of the digital infrastructure using artificial intelligence and STEM centers.
The second area is to achieve international competitiveness by expanding our partnerships with leading universities and research institutes from Europe and the world. Our objective is to attract more international students and lecturers and to provide our students with exchange and study abroad opportunities.
We are an equal member of the European alliance ENGAGE.EU European University which gives us a lot of optimism.
The third area is research and innovation. Strengthening the scientific activity is a key objective for us. We will encourage the establishment of research centers and laboratories, stimulating collaboration between the University, the business and the society.
I will highlight our relation with the business and the real economy to prepare students ready for professional realization. We will expand the internship programmes, practical trainings and joint projects with companies. And last but not least – the social responsibility and sustainability. The UNWE should be an example of responsibility towards society and the environment. We will work on sustainable policies - energy efficiency, waste reduction and improving the accessibility of the University.
What are your principles for managing the University and what leadership qualities are necessary for a Rector to be successful in his position?
The management of the UNWE requires a balanced approach based on clear principles and teamwork. My main principles in management are transparency and accountability - all decisions must be made with clear arguments and must be reasoned to the academic community.
This creates trust and ensures stability. I believe that the success of a university depends on the collective contribution of lecturers, employees and students. I believe in innovative ideas and adaptability. In today's dynamically changing environment, it is important to be innovative and adaptable, to improve the teaching process, research and administrative management.
A successful rector combines several key leadership characteristics. Strategic thinking - seeing the "big picture" and planning for the future of UNWE in the context of global trends and local demands. Communication skills - a leader, in addition to being an effective communicator, must be able to listen. Determination - making tough but necessary decisions and taking responsibility are key to successful governance and must go with empathy and social engagement. The combination of these principles and qualities is crucial for the effective leadership of the UNWE and its establishment as a leading institution at national and international level.
![]() |
What are the most exciting challenges you have faced as Rector of UNWE?
The most exciting and extremely motivating for me is to see how the students and lecturers of UNWE succeed - whether through participation in international competitions, whether through innovative projects, or through their implementation. It makes me believe that our efforts are productive.
The greatest contentment comes from the opportunity to manage changes that leave a lasting imprint - in our infrastructure, in our reputation, or in the way the students perceive the UNWE as a platform for development. Diversity and dynamism are what make the role of a rector so inspiring.
The business complains about a lack of qualified personnel. How does the UNWE work in this direction?
The lack of qualified personnel is a problem that can only be solved by close cooperation between the education and the business. I believe that we are an example of such a successful symbiosis. Every year the UNWE receives an Academic Oscar for its good work with business.
We develop partnerships with leading companies and organizations to provide our students with internships and practical training. The UNWE collaborates with over 300 companies and institutions involved in curriculum development, joint events and the provision of lecturers from the practice.
Our Career Center plays a key role in helping students to find jobs. We organize regular Career Forums and Open Days where students can meet employers and learn about the career opportunities.
We integrate courses and trainings on communication, leadership and teamwork, digital data competencies, programming and artificial intelligence. We encourage the students to think like entrepreneurs. We have also created platforms to support startups and innovations.
Our work produces results. Our graduates hold key positions in the business and in the international institutions. 150 Ministers and 20 Prime Ministers of Bulgaria are graduates of UNWE. We strive to be a university that not only educates students, but also creates leaders, innovators and specialists.
The UNWE participates in Green University initiatives and energy efficiency programmes. What results have you achieved so far?
The UNWE not only strives to be a Green University but also to nurture our students a culture of sustainable development in our students. We have implemented a large-scale solar panel power generation project covering up to 70% of our energy consumption.
We installed a Smart Home system to control lighting and energy consumption, which has significantly reduced our electricity costs. We use LED lighting in all classrooms and spaces which is longer lasting and energy saving. We have replaced the heating and air conditioning systems with more efficient and environmentally friendly technologies.
![]() |
The Rector of UNWE with special guests - ambassadors |
The world increasingly becomes one global university. How does the UNWE cope with the students and lecturers exchange programmes?
In the modern globalized world, the education knows no borders. Universities become part of a global network where the exchange of knowledge, culture and experience is crucial. The UNWE is actively involved in this dynamic through the ENGAGE.EU alliance of 9 leading European business universities and through agreements with over 150 universities under the Erasmus+ Programme. We also strengthen our partnerships outside Europe with universities in Asia, Africa and North America. I would like to highlight the joint projects with China, Uzbekistan and India, which expand our opportunities for students and lecturers exchange.
Which specialties at the UNWE are the most interested in and what modern and contemporary disciplines have you integrated in your curriculum?
The UNWE attracts great interest because of the wide choice of specialities oriented towards Economics, Management and Law. The most popular specialities are Finance, Accounting and Control, Labour Economics and Economics and Management of Industry.
The UWNE Law Faculty is a synonym of prestige. Traditionally there is a high interest in the speciality International Economic Relations and speciality Marketing.
The specialities in the field of e-business and digital economy become increasingly desirable. In recent years the UNWE has actively renewed its programmes and included disciplines related to the global trends and business demands.
![]() |
How do the digitalization, technology and artificial intelligence integrate into the modern higher education and in particular at the UNWE?
The digitalization, technology and artificial intelligence /AI/ fundamentally change the way the higher education operates. The UNWE is among the universities in Bulgaria that actively integrate new trends to provide students and lecturers with a modern and competitive educational environment. The digital technologies remove the barriers to access to learning materials and global knowledge.
The technologies and AI provide the ability to adapt the education process to each student's individual needs - from interactive tasks to progress analysis and areas for improvement.
We incorporate AI technologies for learning outcomes analysis and personalized educational development. AI will also be used to automate the administrative processes, course enrolment, assessment and feedback. We've already incorporated a robot into the application campaign.
The UNWE will use big data analytics to optimize the curricula. We will deploy VR and AR technologies for practical classes in Economics, Law and Management - from simulations of court processes to managing the companies in a digital environment. We have already launched Master's degree programmes related to the use of artificial intelligence.
What would you wish yourself, your family, your colleagues and all students of UNWE for the new year 2025?
I wish myself to keep evolving and not lose my curiosity about life. I wish my family health, happiness and togetherness, and I wish my colleagues a successful and fruitful year filled with professional achievements and personal contentment to show their best.
I wish the students to find inspiration in knowledge and to use the skills they acquire for a better future.
Let 2025 bring health, joy and dreams come true for all!