President of NEAA visits Varna Free University "Chernorizets Hrabar"

On 24.04.2024, the President of the National Evaluation and Accreditation Agency visited the Varna Free University "Chernorizets Hrabar" (VFU). During the visit Prof. Eliza Stefanova, Prof. Atanas Kovachev, member of the Standing Committee on Technical Sciences of NEAA and head of VFU’s “Architecture and Urbanism” department, and assoc. prof. Iva Moneva, member of the Standing Committee on Post-Accreditation Monitoring and Control and vice-dean of the “Social, Economic and Computer Sciences" Faculty at the university met and talked with Prof. Anna Nedyalkova - Chairperson of the University's Board of Trustees, Prof. Krasimir Nedyalkov - President, Rector Prof. Petar Hristov, Vice-Rector Prof. Eleonora Tankova, Vice-Rector Prof. Dimitar Kanev, the rector's management, Assoc. prof. Galina Mileva - Accreditation and Quality Management Secretary of VFU.

During the meeting, Prof. Stefanova shared her views on improving communication between the Agency and higher education institutions during accreditation, digitizing the submission of documents for accreditation procedures, simplifying and improving the efficiency of document exchange, and others.

A key point in the presentation of the President of NEAA was also the need for a common approach to dealing with the challenges facing higher education in our country and the joint efforts of all institutions, including NEAA and HEIs. Prof. Stefanova expressed her conviction that in order to increase the quality of higher education in Bulgaria, it is also important to share good practices.

In this regard, the representatives of the Varna Free University presented some of the important moments for the quality of education at the University during the meeting. Assoc. prof. Tankova emphasizes the consistency and continuity of quality policies. Prof. Nedyalkova commented that in an uncertain environment, private universities can be laboratories for innovation "at their own risk and responsibility". Rector Prof. Hristov pointed out that the Varna Free University requires and creates conditions for constant monitoring, guaranteeing the quality of education. Prof. Kanev presented the challenges facing the university, among which are the uncertainty in and dynamics of the environment, the demographic crisis, increased workloads. He commented on the amendments in the accreditation methodology, emphasizing the need for the criteria system to take into account the diversity of universities. Prof. Kanev introduced Prof. Stefanova to the specific proposals of "Chernorizets Hrabar" VSU for improving the educational environment in Bulgaria.

Prof. Stefanova once again expressed her view that it is necessary to work together and look for point-by-point solutions to the burning issues of higher education.

Images: VFU