POLICY LAB: "HIGHER EDUCATION – A DRIVER OF INNOVATION AND REGIONAL TRANSFORMATION"

On June 17, 2025, the Policy Lab Forum "Higher Education – Driver of Innovation and Regional Transformation" was held. This event was organized by the National Evaluation and Accreditation Agency (NEAA) as part of its initiatives celebrating 30 years since the Agency's establishment. It also served to fulfill NEAA's mission to foster the sustainable development of higher education and ensure its relevance to the needs of society and the economy. The forum underscores NEAA's strategic commitment to open dialogue with the academic community and to shaping policies that genuinely reflect the needs and territorial potential of Bulgaria's regions.

The event took place in a hybrid format with the kind hosting of "Angel Kanchev" University of Ruse. It gathered nearly 150 representatives from the academic community, European institutions, local authorities, businesses, and the non-governmental sector, aiming to exchange best practices and ideas for the development of higher education as a key factor for regional transformation.

The forum was officially opened by Assoc. Prof. Desislava Atanasova, Rector of University of Ruse. She highlighted the significance of the event and expressed her hope for deeper partnerships between higher education and other key sectors.

Prof. Eliza Stefanova, Chairperson of NEAA, welcomed the attendees, emphasizing that the presence of representatives from all levels of governance, including rectors, vice-rectors, experts, and local authorities, demonstrated a shared understanding that higher education is a crucial factor in regional development. "I hope that today's forum will connect central and local authorities with initiatives within higher education institutions and lead to new, effective ideas for collaboration. I would be delighted if, together, we could succeed in achieving even better education, which in turn would generate innovations, thus elevating our economy to an even higher level."

A welcoming address was also delivered by Acad. Hristo Beloev, Chairperson of the General Assembly of the University of Ruse and Chairman of the Ruse Municipal Council. He remarked that the topics addressed during the forum would chart the correct course for the future. He anticipated that the forum would provide a platform for diverse perspectives, experience sharing, the identification of real problems, and the search for solutions.

Further greeting addresses were extended by Mr. Dragomir Draganov, Regional Governor of Ruse Region, and Mr. Dimitar Nedev, Deputy Mayor. Both reiterated the necessity of building functional bridges among education, the economy, and regional policies.

Congratulatory addresses were also read, including one from Ms. Yordanka Chobanova, Head of the European Commission Representation in Bulgaria. Her message stated: "One of the major conversations in Europe today is how our continent can become the best place in the world for scientific endeavor. We view science as a source of progress, sovereignty, economic security, sustainability, and democracy. Europe aims to foster and protect knowledge as a response to a fragmented and uncertain world." In honor of NEAA's 30th anniversary, congratulatory addresses were additionally received from Mr. Pencho Milkov, Mayor of Ruse Municipality, and Prof. Dimitar Dimitrov, Rector of the University of National and World Economy.

The forum featured two thematic panels and a Round Table: "Higher Education in the Face of Contemporary Challenges and the Role of the National Evaluation and Accreditation Agency."

PANEL 1. HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS – STRATEGIC PARTNERS IN SUSTAINABLE REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Moderated by Prof. Eng. Velizara Pencheva, Chairperson of NEAA's Standing Committee on Technical Sciences, this panel focused on the presentation and discussion of the following themes:
• Higher education and the academic community as drivers of economic and social progress.
• Innovations rooted in territorial potential.
• Contributions to the sustainable development of regions.
• Best practices from universities with a strong regional presence.

The panelists included: Prof. Hristo Bozov,
DM – Rector of "Prof. Asen Zlatarov University of Burgas"; Assoc. Prof. Desislava Atanasova – Rector of "Angel Kanchev" University of Ruse; Rositsa Georgieva – Head of the Regional Department of Education – Ruse; and Vanya Ivanova – European Commission Joint Research Centre.

Prof. Bozov highlighted how direct dialogue between university rectors and local municipalities can secure vital resources, citing his success in obtaining nursing scholarships. Assoc. Prof. Atanasova showcased how University of Ruse centers empower small and medium businesses through research support, underscoring the necessity of including non-governmental organisations and local administration in projects. Ms. Georgieva emphasized that when high schools and universities work together, students make smarter choices about their future careers and feel more confident. Finally, Ms. Ivanova concluded that Bulgarian universities are key to making the country a "knowledge nation," by raising future global leaders and helping to transform the economy through real-world connections.

PANEL 2. QUALITY HIGHER EDUCATION AND INNOVATION – A KEY TOOL FOR SMART TERRITORIAL GROWTH
Moderated by Assoc. Prof. Maria Kehayova, a member of NEAA's Accreditation Council, this panel focused on discussing the following topics:
• Balancing local labor market needs with professional fields and specializations that offer high-quality education.
• The contribution of evaluation and accreditation in higher education.
• Promoting micro-credentials – a new step in learning.

The panelists were: Mr. Georgi Stoychev
 – Executive Director of the Open Society Institute; Ms. Rositsa Steliyanova – Association of Industrial Capital in Bulgaria; and Prof. Sava Dimitrov – Rector of Prof. Pancho Vladigerov National Academy of Music.

Mr. Georgi Stoychev shared his observations on the imbalance in the regional education map and noted a positive trend following the approval of the National Map for Higher Education in Bulgaria. Ms. Rositsa Steliyanova emphasized the importance of micro-credentials as a new training model—shorter, targeted courses designed for a broader range of specialists seeking flexible opportunities to enhance their qualifications. Prof. Sava Dimitrov addressed the challenges related to the integration of artificial intelligence into education and creative professions. In the arts, where talent remains a primary factor, he pointed out the need for more precise measurement and evaluation of creative potential.

Discussions during the Round Table centered on the following themes:

Sustainable development and competitiveness.Digitalization of education.Application of artificial intelligence.Micro-credentials – development prospects.

Prof. Velizara Pencheva presented to the round table participants a draft basic framework for micro-credentials in higher education.

This framework was prepared by a NEAA working group as part of its activities within the START (Social Inclusion, Tolerance, Acceptance and Realization for all sTudents) project, in which NEAA is a partner. Prof. Pencheva clarified the objectives and key development stages of micro-credentials in the context of higher education, as well as their strategic importance for modernizing the educational system. Mr. Dimitar Nikolov, Mayor of Burgas Municipality, joined the discussion, sharing personal experiences and effective practices for collaboration between local authorities and higher education institutions in the region.

 A notable event at the forum was the official
presentation of the institutional accreditation certificate to Angel Kanchev University of Ruse. Professor Stefanova formally presented the certificate to Associate Professor Desislava Atanasova and to the university's honorary rector, Academician Hristo Beloev

Video recordings from the event

Presentations from the event

(Images: NEAA, University of Ruse)