The Technical University – Sofia and the Natural Sciences and Mathematics High School "Vasil Drumev" – Veliko Tarnovo are introducing joint courses in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence

On 18.12.2023, a national meeting on innovative schools titled "Models for partnership between schools, higher education institutions, and business in the implementation of innovative tasks" was held. The Technical University – Sofia hosted the meeting at the Center for High Technologies "UNIte".

"Vasil Drumev" Natural Sciences and Mathematics High School – Veliko Tarnovo, in collaboration with the Technical University - Sofia and the business sector, is developing new educational content and introducing subjects in the fields of "Digital Entrepreneurship", "Cybersecurity", and "Artificial Intelligence" for parallel classes in the professional direction "Computer Science". The activities are funded by a project of the Ministry of Education and Science and aim to introduce more innovations into Bulgarian education. The first results of the project were presented today to Minister Galin Tsokov in the presence of students, university students, teachers, and IT companies. Representing TU - Sofia were the Rector - Prof. Dr. Eng. Ivan Králov, the Chairman of the General Assembly - Prof. Dr. Eng. Georgi Todorov, the Deputy Rector for International Activities and Integration - Prof. Dr. Eng. Lidia Galabova, and the Director of the Directorate "International Activities and Integration and Public Relations" - Assoc. Prof. Dr. Eng. Agata Manolova.

"We can build successful education only when we have an active ecosystem that provides the link from pre-school to higher education in close coordination with business and labor market needs," said Prof. Tsokov. According to him, the essence of this project is not only to provide better-prepared personnel for business but also to experiment with new practices in the educational system that can be used as a basis for transformation and implementation in more places across the country. He emphasized that within the framework of the project, another innovation is unfolding, which is important for the entire system – an individual approach with work in smaller groups with students, to develop their strengths and talents. "This is the future model for the development of innovative schools, but also the future for the entire system, because the main task before us is to make education more innovative and more applicable," the Minister stressed.

Prof. Tsokov congratulated all schools that are developing joint projects with universities. "You are creating a sustainable model of innovative learning that should be transferred to other areas as well. This will also help change both secondary and higher education," he added. Minister Tsokov announced that work is also underway on additional opportunities to encourage joint projects between high schools and higher education institutions.

The Rector of the Technical University – Sofia, Prof. Ivan Kralov, emphasized that the higher education institution has always strived to set standards in its field, and the connection with business is one of the most important prerequisites for better educational programs and successful career realization of its graduates. He also shared the university’s experience in developing new specialties and its close ties with secondary education. Within the system of the Technical University – Sofia, two schools operate, and representatives of successful companies from the sector often serve as guest lecturers. "We see that our experience is multiplied in other places, which is indicative of everything we achieve," said Prof. Kralov.

By order of the Minister of Education and Science, following a cooperation agreement signed on 01.12.2020 between the Technical University – Sofia (TU – Sofia) and the Natural Sciences and Mathematics Gymnasium "Vasil Drumev" (NSMG "Vasil Drumev") in Veliko Tarnovo, the implementation of an innovative task has been assigned with the following subject: The Natural Sciences and Mathematics Gymnasium "Vasil Drumev" – Veliko Tarnovo, to develop new educational content by introducing new subjects in the fields of "Digital Entrepreneurship," "Cybersecurity," and "Artificial Intelligence" for parallel classes in the professional direction "Computer Science" through collaboration in an educational consortium with TU – Sofia and local business related to information and communication technologies at the local and national levels. The innovative task has been implemented since the 2021/2022 academic year with 52 students from Grade VIII, since the 2022/2023 academic year with 52 students from Grade IX, and since the 2023/2024 academic year with 52 students from Grade X.