WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO HAVE INTERNATIONALLY COMPETITIVE UNIVERSITIES IN BULGARIA?

A quality higher education system is likely to be a well funded one. The students should be motivated to get the skills (and not just the diplomas) needed to be successful in life. The academic profession should be adequately rewarded to attract and retain the young talent into the profession. Teaching should be modern and the curriculum should be relevant to the needs of the economy and society, today and tomorrow. The universities should be accountable to the society and managed professionally. Universities should be able to produce cutting-edge innovations. Quality of universities should be judged by their results, and the state should reward the best performing.

So, is this a daydreaming or are these achievable objectives for Bulgaria?

The latest World Bank report “Strengthening Higher Education in Bulgaria: Options for Improving the Governance, Quality Assurance and Financing of Higher Education” proposes options for reforms which could help Bulgaria achieve greater relevance and quality of higher education. Minister Sergei Ignatov will present the recent developments in the higher education sector in Bulgaria and Mr. Jamil Salmi, global expert on higher education, will brainstorm with policy makers, representatives of higher education institutions, business and employers’ community, think tanks and civil society organizations on possible options to make the system stronger and competitive.

The event is open for media.

WHAT:  Presentation and discussion of options for strengthening higher education in Bulgaria by improving its governance, quality assurance and financing.

WHERE: National Academy of Art, “Academia” Gallery, Sofia

WHEN: Monday, March 19 2012

10.00 – 16.15 – Opening, presentations and discussions

FOR MORE INFORMATION:   

The World Bank in Sofia: itaushanova@worldbank.org, (02 96 97 239)