The Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and the Medical University of Plovdiv (MU) signed a framework agreement for cooperation. The event was part of the programme of the Academic Council of the University and was preceded by a tour and familiarization with the research infrastructure and staff capacity of MU-Plovdiv.
The President of BAS Prof. Julian Revalski, Full Member of the Academy, and the Vice-President, Corr. Mem. Evdokia Pasheva, visited MU-Plovdiv on 14 July where they got acquainted with the capabilities and achievements of the teams of the Department of Medical Biology, the Department of Medical Physics and Biophysics and the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology “Prof. Dr. Elisey Yanev”. The guests also visited the high-tech Medical Simulation Training Center.
The leaders of BAS expressed their satisfaction with the active and fruitful cooperation between the two institutions so far. At the opening meeting with the Rector’s leadership, Prof. Revalski recalled that BAS is a broad-profile scientific organisation covering a wide range of scientific topics – from natural and mathematical sciences through engineering to social sciences and humanities, with its 42 institutes and 8 laboratories, among which, however, the narrow field of clinical medicine is missing.
“It is extremely important for us to have good cooperation with the medical universities where clinical medicine is concentrated. Our colleagues in the biomedical field, which is one of our best, attracts the most interest and the most young scientists, need a direct link with specialists who are scientists and doctors at the same time. In this respect, we are pleased to be able to have a close collaboration with you. It is with the greatest pleasure that we continue further active work with the Medical University of Plovdiv in the interest of Bulgarian science. Synergy always brings results and the relationship between the two fields – biomedical and applied – is essential,” the President of BAS emphasized.
“Over the past few years, professors from 10 departments of MU-Plovdiv have participated in joint research teams with scientists from 5 institutes of BAS: Institute of Neurobiology, Institute of Microbiology, Institute of Mineralogy and Crystallography “Acad. Ivan Kostov”, Institute of Molecular Biology and Institute of Biology and Immunology of Reproduction “Acad. Kiril Bratanov”, said during the meeting of the Academic Council Prof. Murdjeva. She also recalled the large number of collaborations between BAS and MU-Plovdiv, which were not part of contracts and projects but also achieved scientific and applied results. Currently, 6 contracts for the implementation of large-scale projects are in progress, among which stand out “Center of Competence “Personalized Innovative Medicine “PERIMED” and the “OMNIA” project.
At the signing of the framework agreement in front of the Academic Council of MU-Plovdiv, the Rector Prof. Mariana Murdjeva was adamant that the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences is a benchmark to be followed and an example of the high quality that research should have. The Rector pointed out that this framework agreement, which is the fruit of many years of activity of the University’s lecturers with institutes and scientists from BAS, will enable a much more intensive exchange of lecturers and PhD students, will open the way for many young people and will fuel their love for science.
In his address to the members of the Academic Council, Prof. Revalski said: “Cooperation with such a prestigious university as yours is extremely important for BAS and its institutes. I hope this agreement will contribute to more contacts. I can say that I am very impressed by what I have been able to see, both in terms of training facilities which I have not seen anywhere else and in terms of scientific infrastructure in the faculties we have visited.
A number of young medics and scientists from the university have taken ideas from our colleagues for their theses or PhDs. In light of the importance of medicine and its progress in modern society, I believe that the institutes of BAS will contribute to the development of your wonderful university and give further impetus to what already exists and is successful.”
The signed academic agreement is in the field of research and innovation, staff qualification, joint publications and patents and participation in joint research and applied science projects.
