Rumyana Ivanova, Deputy Executive Director of Geotrading AD, awarded Prof. Ivaylo Koprev of the University of Mining and Geology
20.01.2025
Ms Rumyana Ivanova, Deputy Executive Director of Geotrading AD, part of the GEOTECHMIN Group, presented Prof. Ivaylo Koprev, DEng, Rector of the St. Ivan Rilski University of Mining and Geology, with an award at а ceremony aimed to rank the best universities in Bulgaria for 2024. The rating system was designed by order of the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science and the award ceremony was organised by the 24 Hours Daily.
“I’m glad that for yet another year Geotrading, as a company in the mining industry, has the opportunity to award the St. Ivan Rilski University of Mining and Geology with the first place in the vocation of “Research, Extraction and Processing of Mineral Resources”. Over the years, we have built lasting cooperation and very good partnership relations with the University of Mining and Geology and we strive to support its progress. I will mention some of the projects implemented under the Bulgarian Virtues Charity Programme of GEOTECHMIN Group: we equipped the first interactive learning hall in the university; last October, the university library was renovated; and, together with other mining companies, we participated in the construction of the chapel of Saint Ivan Rilski in the courtyard of the educational institution”. While being on stage, Ms Ivanova, in addition to the good cooperation, mentioned also that the GEOTECHMIN Group has granted over 50 scholarships to students at the university to date. “During this academic year, Geotrading will once again provide one student at the University of Mining and Geology with the chance to get a scholarship and to acquire valuable practical experience in the company”.
Upon receiving the award on stage Prof. Koprev stated: “The most difficult thing is to compete against oneself; I think we are doing well in this regard. It is very important to mention the threefold bond between science, business and education. I am thankful for our good cooperation with the GEOTECHMIN Group, Geotrading AD and all other companies that add value to higher education in Bulgaria. This is what a good example truly is – the success of the higher education and the people we produce”.
The publisher of the 24 Hours DailyMs Venelina Gocheva, pointed out that quality and modern higher education is of great importance, so that Bulgaria can succeed and catch up quickly with the most developed countries in the European Union. “We call this event the most meaningful competition in the sphere of spirit and intellect. It brings together the academic elite and business; it connects universities with the industry (and the labour market) – it makes the need for qualified professionals evident”.
The 2024 Academic Oscars were attended by Ekaterina Zaharieva, Bulgarian Commissioner; Krasimir Valchev, Minister of Education; Grozdan Karadzhov, Minister of Transport and Communications in the new government; Vasil Terziev, Mayor of the City of Sofia; Prof. Miglena Temelkova, Chairperson of the Council of Rectors in Bulgaria, and Evelina Slavcheva, Corresponding Member, President of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. Eight deputy ministers, including Academician Denkov, Prof. Sergey Ignatov, Mrs Yordanka Fandakova, as well as 17 rectors of Bulgarian universities, also attended the ceremony.
