UNWE Scientists Participated in the International Forum on Big Data and Artificial Intelligence under the STUDIES-DIG Project in Valencia, Spain

In the beginning of June 2026 scientists and researchers from the UNWE took part in Тhe 5th International Conference on Big Data and Artificial Intelligence Applications /ICBDAIA’26/, hosted by the Universitat Politècnica de València, Spain. Международната научна конференция бе организирана съвместно The International Scientific conference was organized in partnership with Ibn Tofail University, Morocco – an academic partner from the associated countries under the project 101131544-STUDIESDIG-HORIZON-MSCA-2022-SE-01.

The STUDIES-DIG Project is coordinated by UNWE and it involves 14 academic and non academic partners from 6 countries. The project is part of Horizon Europe – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2021-2027) under the funding scheme of Marie Sklodowska–Curie Research and Innovation Staff Exchange – RISE.

This prestigious international forum in Valencia, Spain brought together scientists, researchers and experts from different countries to exchange ideas and best practices in the fields of artificial intelligence, digital technology and big data analysis. Guests of honor at the event were the Consul General of the Republic of Bulgaria in Valencia, Mrs. Nadia Krasteva and the Consul-General of the Kingdom of Morocco in Valencia, Mr. Said Drisi El Buzaidi.

As project coordinator the team of scientists from the UNWE included Prof. Dr. Polya Katsamunska from the Public Administration Department, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sylvia Georgieva from the Entrepreneurship Department, Chief Assist. Dr. Krasimira Valcheva from the Public Administration Department and Chief Assist. Dr. Adelina Hadzhiiska from the Criminal Legal Studies Department. In the form took also part D.Sc. Zornitsa Mladenova as a representative of the Rudozem Municipality, which is a non-academic partner in the project.

Within the Conference the Bulgarian participants presented results of their research work and held a number of meetings with representatives of academia from Europe, Africa and other regions of the world. Developments related to the digital transformation of education and the development of modern digital competencies have been of particular interest.

In addition, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ralitsa Veleva from the Public Administration Department also participated in the Conference with her own scientific contribution through results of the project Research and Evaluation of the Capacity of State Administration in Bulgaria and Guidelines for Good Governance /Contract KP-06-PN85/17/, with Head of the Prpject Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yanko Hristozov and execution period 2025-2028. The project is aimed at analyzing the capacity of public administration in Bulgaria and formulating recommendations for improving good governance and public policies.

All presented papers by the Bulgarian scientists will be published in Springer-Scopus Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Big Data and Artificial Intelligence Applications /ICBDAIA’26/.

The UNWE scientists were awarded Certificates of Appreciation from the Conference organizers for their successful participation in the International Forum on Artificial Intelligence and Big Data in Valencia, Spain.

Along with that, on 3 June 2026 at the invitation of Consul General Mrs. Nadia Krasteva, the Bulgarian delegation visited the General Consulate of the Republic of Bulgaria in Valencia. Within the meeting, opportunities for expanding the Bulgarian-Spanish academic cooperation and for realizing joint future projects were discussed. Information about the successful presentation of the Bulgarian scientists at the international scientific forum was published on the websites of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria and on the Facebook pages of the Consulate General of the Republic of Bulgaria in Valencia and the electronic newspaper Nova Duma in Spain.

Within the framework of the STUDIES-DIG project, jointly with Ibn Tofail University, Morocco, the UNWE will organize the next edition of the Forum in 2027 in Sofia. To host such a significant international forum by the UNWE is a recognition of the authority of the Bulgarian academic community and its contribution to the development of international scientific cooperation.

The participation of the Bulgarian scientists from UNWE in the 5th International Conference on Big Data and Artificial Intelligence Applications /ICBDAIA’26/ contributed to the strengthening of existing international partnerships and to the creation of new contacts with universities and scientific organizations working not only in in the fields of artificial intelligence, Big Data and digital technologies.