UNWE Signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the Ministry of Defence

The Rector of UNWE Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov and the Minister of Defense Atanas Zapryanov signed a Memorandum of Cooperation between the two institutions in the field of national defence and security.

In his speech Minister Atanas Zapryanov emphasized on the importance of academic organizations for the development of the defence industry and the modernization of defence capabilities. "Without partnership with the science, the efforts in the defence sector couldn`t be at global level. The tasks set by the European Union include not only to develop the defence industry and to increase its production capabilities, but even more importantly – to be at world level in terms of technological development and at the same time to be economically viable", said Minister Zapryanov.

He added that this memorandum is part of the defence-science relationship. "We talk about a comprehensive approach to the defence industry. I am very glad that the UNWE has been our partner for many years. A large part of the staff has completed specialized training at the University and due to the scientific contribution and the human potential, the defence industry develops steadily and creates jobs."

"The signing of this Memorandum is a natural continuation of the long-standing and fruitful cooperation between the UNWE and the Ministry of Defence. With the support of the Ministry at the UNWE was established the specialty Economics of Defence and Security, which last year celebrated 35 years since its establishment and today our cooperation develops in areas such as defence budgets, international security, trade in special products, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and other modern challenges", said the Rector Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov and added: "For our university this partnership is of key importance as it allows us to support the training and development of young specialists to be realized both in the structures of the Ministry of Defense and the Bulgarian Army as well as in the state administration and related sectors. The UNWE consistently works with the military educational institutions and participates in large-scale national and international projects and our objective is to contribute to the security of the country through this cooperation".

Minister Atanas Zapryanov awarded to the Rector with the honorary plaque of the Ministry of Defence and Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov awarded to the Minister the jubilee medal 105 Years of UNWE.

The Memorandum provides for interaction between the two institutions in the field of education, research and expertise related to the defence and security of the country.

Within the framework of the agreement is envisaged the participation of representatives of the Ministry of Defence and the structures directly subordinate to the Minister of Defence in public lectures, seminars, conferences and other events organized by the UNWE, as well as participation of lecturers from the University in meetings, lectures, expertise, consultations, studies and events organized by the Ministry.

The cooperation includes support for educational, research and development activities aimed at solving tasks directly related to the defence and national security, as well as participation in the implementation of national and international projects. Within the framework of these projects lecturers and researchers from the UNWE will be able to develop analyses and strategic documents and to provide specific recommendations in support of the activity of the Ministry of Defence.

The parties will cooperate in the organization of study and pre-graduation internships for undergraduates and Doctoral students from appropriate specialties, as well as in the development and implementation of curricula necessary for the development of the existing curricula of the UNWE in compliance with the requirements for training of personnel for the demands of defence.

The event was attended by Prof. Dr. Tsvetana Stoyanova, Vice-Rector for Institutional and Business Cooperation and Student Policies, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Noncho Dimitrov, Head of the UNWE National and Regional Security Department, Prof. Dr. Svetoslav Spasov, Director of the UNWE Nuclear Security Support Center (NSSC) and lecturer at the National and Regional Security Department, who is also the Coordinator of the Memorandum.