On March 6, 2023, in the Bulgarian News Agency Press Club, the Executive Board of the National Scientific Programme “Development and Promotion of Bulgarian Studies Abroad” presented the goals and objectives of the Programme.
The coordinator of the Programme is the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, and the partners are the leading centers in Bulgarian studies issues – Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, Plovdiv University “Paisii Hilendarski”, “St. Cyril and St. Methodius” University of Veliko Tarnovo, “Neofit Rilski” South-West University, “Konstantin Preslavsky” University of Shumen and the institutes of BAS in division “Cultural and Historical Heritage and National Identity”.
In the press conference on the topic members of the Executive Board of the Programme took part: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Elka Traykova, National Coordinator and Scientific Secretary of BAS, division “Cultural-Historical Heritage and National Identity”, Corr. Mem. Alexandre Kostov, Chairman of the Council for Bulgarian Studies Abroad at GC of BAS, Prof. Anna-Maria Totomanova, representative of Sofia University “St. Klimen Ohridski”, Prof. Lyubka Lipcheva, representative of Plovdiv University “Paisii Hilendarski”, Prof. Tsenka Ivanova, representative of “St. Cyril and St. Methodius” University of Veliko Tarnovo, Prof. Magdalena Kostova-Panayotova, representative of “Neofit Rilski” South–West University and Prof. Velka Popova, representative of “Konstantin Preslavsky” University of Shumen.
The main objective of the Programme is to support and promote Bulgarian studies as an attractive research field for foreign students, PhD students, young and established scholars, focusing on the study of Bulgarian language and literature, Bulgarian history, art, science and culture (including ethnography and folklore).
The Programme will develop free digital educational and research resources for distance learning for students and PhD students in Bulgarian language and literature; fund specialisations of up to six months for foreign young scholars and PhD students in Bulgarian studies; support foreign researchers in the publication of their first monograph on Bulgarian studies; and provide stays of up to three months in Bulgaria for established foreign researchers in the field to teach and develop scientific projects with their Bulgarian colleagues.
The long-term goals in the implementation of the Programme are the sustainable restoration of the position and the development of Bulgarian studies abroad; overcoming negative attitudes and building an attractive image of our country by strengthening interest in this field of scientific research; assisting state institutions in strengthening the international prestige and recognition of Bulgarian studies abroad; promoting Bulgarian achievements in various fields of science, as well as the cultural and historical sites of Bulgaria.
The contract for the implementation of the Programme between BAS and the Ministry of Education and Science was signed on 14 September 2022 and will be implemented within three years, and its budget is BGN 4 million.
See the press conference at https://www.bta.bg/bg/pressclub/archive/16082
