Burgas Free University

At a glance

Source: Wikipedia: Burgas Free University; Wikipedia (Bulgarian): Бургаски свободен университет; Official website: Burgas Free University^1,2,3

History and governance

Burgas Free University was established by an Act of the Great National Assembly on 18 September 1991. It is described as one of the first non-state, or private, universities in Bulgaria. The university’s president is Professor Petko Chobanov, PhD, and its rector is Professor Milen Baltov, PhD. Professor Mariya Alexieva, PhD, is vice-rector, and Darina Dimitrova is deputy rector of academic affairs and accreditation.^1,2

Faculties and programmes

• Faculty of Legal Studies
• Faculty of Business Studies
• Faculty of Computer Science and Engineering
• Faculty of Humanities

Source: Wikipedia: Burgas Free University¹

The university offers admission to bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programmes. Its stated programme areas are specialties established in practice and intended to support graduates’ professional realisation.^1,2

Research and international links

BFU is a member of the European University Association and participates in the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS). It has cooperation agreements with 36 universities and organisations across Europe, America, Asia and Africa, and operates student and staff exchange programmes with 24 universities in Europe. The university also works on joint international projects with more than 100 universities and organisations.^1,2

BFU is a partner of UNESCO under the UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs Programme and hosts the UNESCO Chair on Human Rights and Culture of Peace. The Bulgarian-language account also states that the university is accredited by Bulgaria’s National Evaluation and Accreditation Agency and holds an ISO 9001:2008 quality certificate.^1,2

Campus

The university’s main building is at 62 San Stefano Boulevard in Burgas. The building was constructed in 2004 and has a total area of 22,500 square metres. It received Bulgaria’s Building of the Year award for 2004 in a competition organised by the Ministry of Regional Development, in the fields of architecture and civil engineering. The building’s architect was also named Architect of the Year.^1,2