The Rector inaugurated the new academic year for the Master’s Program in “Nuclear Security.”
The beginning of the new academic year for the Master’s Program in “Nuclear Security” at the Department of “National and Regional Security” was officially celebrated.
The opening ceremony was attended by Rector Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Noncho Dimitrov, Head of the Department of “National and Regional Security,” Prof. Dr. Svetoslav Spasov, Director of the Center for Nuclear Security Support and Head of the Master’s Program, Asst. Prof. Dr. Ekaterina Bogomilova, former Program Director, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Konstantin Pudin, Asst. Prof. Dr. Atanas Dimitrov, Scientific Secretary of the Department of “National and Regional Security,” Asst. Dr. Tsvetomira Penkova, Dr. Vasil Pavlov, and PhD student Georgi Tasev.
“Before I became Rector, I was part of the Department of ‘National Security’ for 16 years. The Nuclear Security program dates back to 2015. The first initiatives started in Vienna as early as 2010, but we needed time to implement it in Bulgaria,” Prof. Dimitar Dimitrov reflected, adding: “Over the past 10 years, we have offered this specialization to both Bulgarian and international students, with the program also taught in English. To date, over 60 foreign students have successfully completed it, which is a great achievement. Some of the graduates have gone on to work in national and international organizations, while others hold responsible positions in various government institutio
Prof. Dr. Svetoslav Spasov, Director of the Center for Nuclear Security Support, who is also responsible for the Master’s Program, welcomed the incoming master’s students, including 16 Bulgarian and 9 international students. “We are entering a new cycle of our program, which continues to evolve and attract more international students. We are finalizing a new agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for the next four years, which will allow our international students to receive scholarships. At the same time, we will provide support for Bulgarian students, who will contribute to the development of the nuclear industry in Bulgaria.”
Prof. Spasov also presented some of the planned joint events with the IAEA. The Department of “National and Regional Security” expects UNWE to be officially recognized as a cooperating center of the IAEA, which would place it among only eight such centers worldwide and as the fifth in Europe. This recognition will allow our university to host international and regional events and will enhance its prestige. The first of these events is scheduled for November 24–27, 2025, when a meeting will be held to build cooperation among seven countries in the field of nuclear security and energy policy.
By a decision of the Council of Ministers, an Institute for Enhancing Research Capacity in the Field of the Nuclear Industry and Nuclear Security will be established within UNWE, which will build upon the activities of the existing Center for Nuclear Security Support.
Future Master’s Students of the Program „Nuclear Security” and the Guests, including Dr. Ivaylo Ivanov from the Institute for Nuclear Research and Nuclear Energy at BAS, toured some of the university’s facilities and visited the renovated Library.
