Summer School on Entrepreneurship for Indian Students Started at Our University

The UNWE opened its Summer School on Entrepreneurship for students of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj University /CSMU/ in Panvel, Navi Mumbai, India, organized by the UNWE Entrepreneurship Department. The initiative is carried out within the framework of the Global Immersion Program 1.0.

The participants in the Summer School and the event guests were welcomed by the Rector of UNWE Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kostadin Kolarov, Head of the UNWE Entrepreneurship Department and Director of the UNWE Institute of Entrepreneurship, Prof. Dr. Antonia Stoyanova, Director of the Education Centre at Bulgarian Academy of Sciences /BAS/, Niraj Kumar, Chairman of the Association for Development of Business and Cultural Relations between India and Bulgaria, Dr. Pallavi Dongare, Director of the Centre for International Relations at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj University, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sylvia Georgieva, Deputy Director of the UNWE Institute of Entrepreneurship.

The Rector of UNWE Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov /in the middle/. From the left to the right: Pallavi Dongare, Prof. Dr. Antonia Stoyanova, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kostadin Kolarov, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sylvia Georgieva and Niraj Kumar

The Summer School is the consecutive successful initiative of UNWE for the international academic cooperation development and the exchange of knowledge and experience between the Bulgarian and Indian students. The programme provides for the participants the opportunity to get acquainted with the academic and entrepreneurial environment in Bulgaria, to collaborate on real-world business challenges and develop their innovative and critical thinking skills.

The Rector Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov welcomed the guests and the students from India and emphasized the significance of the international cooperation for the UNWE: “We are delighted to welcome you to this summer school, which has turned into a tradition for our university. It’s no coincidence that the UNWE Entrepreneurship Department has initiated this programme. Over the last few years we’ve had the opportunity to organize several similar initiatives with our Indian colleagues. We hope that you`ll enjoy your stay in Bulgaria and you `ll have the opportunity to discover the beautiful places of our country. The UNWE is one of the eldest and most prestigious universities in Bulgaria and Southeastern Europe with more than 100 years of history. Among its alumni are many Prime Ministers, Ministers, politicians, public figures and distinguished business leaders. The University also has a Wall of Fame where you can see the names of some of these distinguished graduates”.

The Head of the UNWE Entrepreneurship Department Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kostadin Kolarov, Director of the UNWE Institute of Entrepreneurship, highlighted the significance of the international cooperation, and the programme’s practical orientation, which brings together students from various academic disciplines and representatives of the academia and the business world: “This summer school is an opportunity to bring together diverse knowledge, skills and perspectives and apply them to solve real-world problems. I believe that bringing together the Indian and Bulgarian academic and entrepreneurial experience will give students the opportunity to gain knowledge, create new contacts and discover opportunities for future cooperation”. He introduced the lecturing team that will work with the students during the programme.

The Director of Education at BAS Prof. Dr. Antonia Stoyanova greeted the organizers for the initiative and the students from India for their participation. She highlighted that the participants would have the opportunity to work on real-world challenges, related to the activities of the partner organizations. “Creating new ideas and turning them into reality requires knowledge, creativity and determination. Over the next three days, we’ll work together to solve real-world challenges through innovation and critical thinking. This is an opportunity to learn from each other”, said Prof. Dr. Antonia Stoyanova, and added: “Be curious, ask questions and share your perspective. I wish you productive and memorable summer school!”.

The Chairman of the Association for Development of Business and Cultural Relations between India and Bulgaria Niraj Kumar also greeted the students. He encouraged them to take advantage of the opportunity to get to know Bulgaria and the local business environment. “I will soon visit you at your lectures to explain how the business is done in Bulgaria. I wish you luck and have a nice time. Leave something from India here, and take something from Bulgaria to India”, said in conclusion Niraj Kumar.

On behalf of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj University the participants were welcomed by the Director of the Centre for International Relations Dr. Pallavi Dongare: “I feel very proud and happy to be your mentor. I would like to express thankfulness to the UNWE International Division for this amazing opportunity. As mentors, together with the students, we would like to give our word that over the next month we will give 100% of ourselves to achieve outstanding results. The students are very excited, for some of them, this is their first international trip. Dear students, use this opportunity with responsibly. There are hundreds of thousands of students in India who wait for such an opportunity, and you are among the few who have received it”.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sylvia Georgieva, Deputy Director for Research at the UNWE Institute of Entrepreneurship, emphasized that the Summer School is an opportunity to create longlasting academic and professional relations: “Opening ceremonies are always an emotional occasion for us. We welcome you today not only to our university, but also to our vast and respected academic family. We hope this month will help you fall in love with the entrepreneurship and will inspire you to become successful entrepreneurs one day”.

During the Summer School the Indian students will take part in a diverse academic and practical programme that combines learning, teamwork, meetings with business representatives and solving real-world organizational challenges. The participants come from various disciplines, including business administration, mechanical engineering, information technologies and psychology, providing the basis for an interdisciplinary approach and the exchange of perspectives.

The programme is part of the UNWE ongoing efforts to broaden the international cooperation and to strengthen the University as a space for the exchange of knowledge, ideas and best practices between the students, academic staff, research organizations and business representatives.

In recognition of his contribution to the development of international academic cooperation, the Rector Prof. Dimitar Dimitrov was awarded the International Collaboration plaque by Dr. Pallavi Dongare.