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VARNA FREE UNIVERSITY AND THE EUROPEAN INSTITUTE OF FORENSIC SCIENCE LAUNCHED A STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP
16 July 2026
Varna Free University “Chernorizets Hrabar” is expanding its international network of academic partnerships in the field of forensic science and forensic expertise. The Rector, Prof. Petar Hristov, PhD and the Director of the European Forensic Institute (EFI) in Malta, Andreas Melinato, signed a memorandum of cooperation that opens up new opportunities for joint training, research and academic exchange between the two institutions.
During the visit, workshops and professional discussions were held on the opportunities for the development of joint educational and research initiatives. Among the main areas of future cooperation are the exchange of students and lecturers, the development of joint educational programmes, the creation of specialised training, the implementation of scientific projects and partnership in doctoral programmes.
The European Forensic Science Institute is an accredited higher education institution based in Malta that trains specialists in the field of forensic science, criminology and investigation. The institute offers bachelor's and master's programmes that combine academic training with work on real practical cases and the use of modern technologies. Since 2025, EFI has been the winner of the international award "Excellence in Forensic Science", awarded within the framework of the World Police Summit Awards in Dubai for its contribution to the development of forensic science and innovative education.
Andreas Melinato is visiting Varna Free University at the invitation of Prof. Yonko Kunchev, PhD - an established scholar in the field of forensic science, head of the master's programmes in forensic expertise and director of the Centre for the Preparation of Doctoral Students at the university.
Varna Free University has a long tradition in training specialists in forensic science and forensic expertise. The university offers the master's programmes Forensic Expertise and Forensic Computer Auto-Technical Expertise, trains doctoral students in the Criminology programme, has specialised laboratories in investigation methodology and tactics, forensic science and forensic expertise laboratories, which provide practical training tailored to the modern requirements of the profession.
During the meetings, Andreas Melinato emphasised the importance of specialised university education for the training of highly qualified forensic experts. "The goal of our institution is to bridge the gap between the academic world and professional practice. That is why we are focused on specialised training that prepares experts for the real professional environment," he said.
Andreas Melinato defined the signed memorandum as the beginning of a broad and promising partnership between the two institutions and outlined the opportunities for the exchange of students and lecturers, the development of joint educational programmes and research projects.
"Universities are the best place to train future forensic experts. It is precisely the cooperation between higher education institutions that creates conditions for high quality education, common professional standards and solid academic preparation," the director of the European Institute of Forensic Science also emphasised.
The signed memorandum marks the beginning of a long-term academic partnership in an area of direct relevance to the quality of forensic expertise and the administration of justice. In the context of an increasingly active professional debate on the training, qualification and standards for the exercise of the activities of experts, the cooperation between the two institutions will promote the exchange of European experience, the development of joint educational programmes and the implementation of good professional practices.
