AOBE SUPPORTS MES’S PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE ACT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ACADEMIC STAFF IN THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA

The Association of the Organizations of Bulgarian Employers (AOBE) expresses its full support for the proposed by the Ministry of Education and Science (MES) minimum national requirements to applicants for academic degree and academic appointment amendments of the Act for the Development of the Academic Staff in the Republic of Bulgaria.

Bulgarian employers have been consistently supporting over the years the need of such reforms in the education system to ensure that labour market has a quality workforce with the necessary knowledge and skills. This also applies to the need to impose high criteria on teaching and research staff engaged in higher education in applied and fundamental science. Unfortunately, the policy of education and science in recent years puts a focus not on qualitative but on quantitative criteria and requirements. The proposed solution for the regulatory settlement of plagiarism, as well as the proposal to increase the share of external jury members, is timely and equitable.

AOBE is convinced that introducing minimum requirements for applicants for academic degree and academic positions is a prerequisite for improving the quality of higher education and research in Bulgaria. The proposed amendments will have a positive impact on the higher education and research system without restricting democracy in academic management.