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STUDENTS FROM VARNA FREE UNIVERSITY IN SMOLYAN PRESENTED IDEAS IN SUPPORT OF THE CAUSE FOR AN ECOLOGICALLY CLEAN WORLD
27 September 2025
The branch of Varna Free University "Chernorizets Hrabar" in Smolyan opened the academic year 2025/2026 with a student competition on the topic "Global Problems of Modernity in the Context of the Green Transition". The event brought together first-year students, faculty, representatives of business, institutions and the local community and focused on the challenges of the energy transition and the role of young people in sustainable development.
Students of Business Administration and Management, Tax and Customs Control and National Security Protection developed and defended their business ideas dedicated to finding solutions for the green transition. They worked with the scientific consultants and experts Assoc. Prof. Vanya Bankova, PhD, Assoc. Prof. Vasil Pavlov, PhD and Rumen Pehlivanov, PhD and their projects were evaluated by a jury consisting of: Yani Yanev - Vice President of VFU "Chernorizets Hrabar", Zahari Sirakov - Regional Governor of Smolyan Region, Prof. Hristina Yancheva, PhD - Regional Governor of Plovdiv Region, and Kremen Krasin - a leading national expert in the field of power engineering, owner of established companies that develop sustainable energy solutions with a mission for the successful implementation of the green transition to a carbon-neutral industrial and social landscape, supporting the transfer of knowledge and winner of the Power Engineer of the Year award for 2025 of the Bulgarian Branch Chamber of Power Engineers.
The student teams presented ideas for solutions for a sustainable future and showed excellent practical ideas and results in the promotion of sustainable innovations, contributing to the promotion of ecological thinking, demonstrating creativity, relevance and applicability. The teams also showed real examples of recycling resources and raw materials. The discussion created a space for uniting different perspectives for planning a just energy transition. It helped the students to develop entrepreneurial and investment management skills - to think creatively, to seek effective solutions, to launch their own initiatives, to present their ideas to experts, to build valuable contacts, and most importantly, to apply good business practices related to a fairer and responsible future.
The students received recognition for their work and the opportunity to develop the project in a practical environment.
"Young people are aware of the need for sustainable development and a green transition of the economy. The need to change the economic model and the way we produce and consume energy is growing. Today, the relevance of this issue has reached a critical point and is one of the main topics, both in Europe and in our country. It is important for students to be included in decision-making processes so that they can also share their views and perspectives," the director of the Smolyan branch, Assoc. Prof. Anelia Parzhanova, PhD emphasized.
The opening of the academic year continued with a public lecture by Prof. Hristina Yancheva, PhD – Regional Governor of Plovdiv Region – entitled “Global Problems of Modernity in the Context of the Green Transition”.
The branch of Varna Free University in Smolyan begins the new academic year with a larger number of newly admitted students, which is indicative of the growing interest and trust in the educational institution.
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