The Rector Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov in an Interview for Dnes.bg: UNWE Climbed to No. 80 among the Best Universities in Eastern Europe

At the end of a successful prospective student campaign for the UNWE and new positions in the prestigious QS World University Rankings, we talk with the Rector Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov about the new fees, the future of artificial intelligence, the challenges facing the Council of Rectors and the international scientific network for sustainable development – SDSN.

Prof. Dimitrov, the prestigious QS World University Rankings has been announced. What are the results for the UNWE?

QS World University Rankings is an international university ranking compiled annually by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS). It is one of the most prestigious and widely recognized rankings in the world of higher education. Its purpose is to evaluate and rank the best universities in the world according to several important criteria – academic reputation, reputation among employers, lecturers/students ratio, citations of publications, international lecturers and international students.

The UNWE occupies the 80th position in QS Eastern Europe 2025 having climbed from 101st place in 2024. It is the only economic university in the ranking. It also moves up slightly in the European ranking, where holds the 506th place. Among 5 000 universities in Europe, I think that's not bad.

We have recently begun participating in this ranking. Several other Bulgarian universities are also included in it. It requires very specific information. The rating agencies themselves also collect a lot of information, but in order to implement the ranking, information from external experts and counterparties is also necessary. These are indicators that are monitored by UNWE International Directorate. If we speak generally about the Bulgarian universities, we do not have enough experience in this area – to collect and publish information about our students and alumni in terms of reputation. There are many things that we have not presented in the most appropriate way.

The UNWE is at the end of its prospective student campaign. How would you assess the interest in the University?

Yes, the prospective student campaign goes well, we have filled the quota for state-funded places, and there are only a few places left for paid education, largely due to several new paid specialities – Cybersecurity in Business, Cryptoeconomics and another program related to the artificial intelligence in various fields—sociology, political science, information technology. We have submitted a proposal to the Minister for the establishment of an Institute related to the use of artificial intelligence in the economy. There`s a big challenge to education and it is how do we incorporate the artificial intelligence into the education?

What do you think about that?

My opinion is that we should not ban its use in any form. We have to find the right combination. It is a powerful tool at our disposal and we should neither overuse it nor ban it. What is certain is that a completely new approach is required - pedagogically, didactically and by specialty. We don't expect today's students to listen to two hours of lectures and watch presentations instead of looking it up on their phones and finding the answer quickly, do we? The world develops so fast. As our Chairman of the Board of Trustees Maxim Behar says: "The Artificial intelligence will not take your jobs; those who use artificial intelligence will take them". We must teach both students and ourselves how to use the artificial intelligence culturally in our work. And it is related to many other issues – publications and research projects. It's like having a powerful truck but saying: "No, I'm not going to use it because I'll carry my load on my back".

Will the UNWE increase its fees?

Yes, we are going to determine the new fees. Just yesterday, the Parliament adopted amendments to the Higher Education Act and the method for calculating the tuition fees. We will wait for the publication in the State Gazette to see exactly how to respond. The process is not simple; we usually have discussions with the Student Council as well. But in any case, we will comply with the changes in the legislation.

Do you think that the change in fees will affect the admissions in any way?

The Minister Krasimir Valchev said that it is a temporary solution. Another solution must be sought. There will probably be a drop in enrollment, because any increase, especially when it is so sudden, causes a reverse reaction. But the state subsidy has increased. This is also an important factor. I believe that a more permanent and balanced solution should be sought and that the extremes should be avoided, such as prohibiting the state universities to have paid education or setting fees at unreasonably high levels. I read a study on fees at state universities in Europe, and they amounted to several hundred euros. And we start to ask for several thousand leva. It is not competitive. We have been saying for a long time that it is better to have a broader entrance and then conduct a selection process. Perhaps now is the time to consider this approach. I am sure that the Ministry of Education and Science will do a good job together with the Council of Rectors.

Is there consensus on this issue within the Council of Rectors? What are the main issues you discuss?

The Chairperson of the Council of Rectors Prof. Dr. Miglena Temelkova actively participated in the discussions and even at the session of the Parliamentary Committee on Education and Science, where I was also present, she called for a new model for financing the higher education. This has been discussed for a long time, but a good balance has not yet been found whether to move away from the "money follows the student" approach and look for some other model. I believe we should move towards a hybrid variant – where the money follows the student, but where the basic capital expenditures related to infrastructure modernization, especially IT infrastructure, are not neglected. We will have to seek a solution together.

Prof. Dimitrov, you are actively involved in the initiatives of the Council of Rectors. Is there an expectation that you will apply for the position of chairperson?

I have been the Secretary General of the Council of Rectors for four years. I have participated in elections, but I do not intend to apply for the position of chairperson. My second term is coming to an end, and I do not have sufficient time to pursue this position. Yes, perhaps this is the news, because I have already received inquiries from colleagues - I will not apply for the position of chairperson of the Council of Rectors.

And now I am actively involved in the sustainable development at the international level. As Co-Chairperson of SDSN Bulgaria, I am a member of the SDSN Strategic Council under the leadership of Jeffrey Sachs. SDSN /Sustainable Development Solutions Network/ is a global initiative under the auspices of the UN Secretary General whose objective is to mobilize the scientific and academic community, business and civil society in support of sustainable development and the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, including the encouragement of research, innovation, and the exchange of good practices for sustainable development, elaboration of scientific evidence-based policies, connection between the universities, research institutions, governments, and businesses to create a network of knowledge and action at the local, regional, and global levels, as well as development of educational programs for sustainable development.