Photo: University of Mining and Geology “St. Ivan Rilski”
The University of Mining and Geology “St. Ivan Rilski” was awarded first place in Professional Field 5.8 “Exploration, Extraction and Processing of Mineral Resources” during the 10th anniversary edition of the Academic Awards – the so-called Academic “Oscars.” The awards are organized annually by 24 Chasa newspaper and recognize Bulgarian higher education institutions with the strongest performance according to the national Higher Education Ranking System.
The prestigious award was presented to the Rector of the University, Prof. Dr. Eng. Ivaylo Koprev, by Ms. Rumyana Ivanova, Executive Director of Geotrading AD. The company participated in the event as a long-standing partner and consistently supports initiatives aimed at advancing higher education and strengthening the professional training of students in the mineral resources sector.
The anniversary edition of the Academic Awards placed a strong emphasis on the importance of quality education and active cooperation between academia, business, and public institutions. Among the official guests at the ceremony was the Vice President of the Republic of Bulgaria, Ms. Iliana Yotova, who highlighted the high standards of Bulgarian universities and their position within the European educational landscape. She noted that Bulgarian higher education meets European standards and that a growing number of universities are already part of the European University Networks—an important factor enabling international partnerships, joint projects, and development within a broad European academic community.
The distinction awarded to the University of Mining and Geology represents recognition of the sustainable development of education in mining engineering, geology, and mineral processing, as well as the trust placed by industry in the quality of student training. The support of Geotrading AD and the active involvement of established professionals such as Dr. Eng. Ivan Vutov contribute to maintaining high professional standards and to the development of educational models aligned with the real needs of the sector.
The university’s management emphasized that cooperation with industry is a key factor in the practical training of students and in creating opportunities for internships and professional realization at early stages of their education. The confidence demonstrated by companies in the university’s academic expertise is essential for preparing highly qualified specialists and for the sustainable development of Bulgaria’s mineral resources sector.
The event once again confirmed the importance of long-term partnerships between education and business as a foundation for human capital development and for enhancing the competitiveness of Bulgarian higher education.
As part of its long-term vision for sustainable development, Geotrading AD continues to support initiatives that promote quality education, practical training, and the professional advancement of young specialists, further strengthening the link between academia and industry.
