South-West University Neofit Rilski

At a glance

Source: Wikipedia: South-West University "Neofit Rilski"; Wikipedia (Bulgarian): Югозападен университет; Official website: South-West University Neofit Rilski^1,2,3

History

The university began as a branch of Sofia University. Its first 200 students were admitted in the 1976/77 academic year to teacher-training programmes for kindergartens and primary schools. In 1983, the branch became a separate institute. The English account gives 1975 as the university’s founding year, while the Bulgarian account dates its establishment to 1976.^1,2

In July 1995, the Higher Pedagogical Institute in Blagoevgrad became Southwest University Neophyte of Rila. The change reflected an expanded range of study, including the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences and technical fields. In 1997, the College of Machine Building and Electrotechnics in Blagoevgrad became a Technical College within the university.¹

Faculties and programmes

The university’s structure includes nine faculties:²

• Faculty of Law and History
• Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
• Faculty of Economics
• Faculty of Philology
• Faculty of Philosophy
• Faculty of Public Health, Health Care and Sport
• Faculty of Pedagogy
• Faculty of Arts
• Faculty of Technical Sciences

Source: Wikipedia (Bulgarian): Югозападен университет²

Teaching is offered in 30 professional fields, including humanities, technical and management sciences, natural and social sciences, education, law, economics, arts, health care, public health, sport, security and defence.²

Programmes and accreditation

The university’s programmes include 80 bachelor’s and master’s programmes for applicants with secondary education, 121 master’s programmes for applicants who already hold a higher education qualification, and 88 doctoral programmes. On 20 September 2018, the National Evaluation and Accreditation Agency granted the institution accreditation for six years, with an evaluation score of 9.30.²

Campus and facilities

The university has eight teaching buildings, a teaching theatre, concert and exhibition halls, and film, television and sound-recording studios. Its library holds more than 200,000 volumes of academic literature and provides access to international databases.²

Facilities also include a multi-purpose indoor sports complex, laboratories, stadiums and outdoor sports areas. The Bachinovo University Centre is three kilometres from central Blagoevgrad and hosts seminars, academic conferences and sports camps. Student accommodation and a canteen are available.²