2024-03-14 11:33:29
The rector of the Higher School of Telecommunications and Posts is the second woman to head the 30-year-old organization
The rector of the Higher School of Telecommunications and Posts, Prof. Miglena Temelkova, was elected as the chairperson of the Council of Rectors at a meeting of the general assembly. She led the organization with 27 to 19 votes in a runoff with her competitor Prof. Dimitar Dimitrov, rector of the University of National and World Economy. The rector of Thrace University, Prof. Dobri Yarkov, also participated in the competition, who was eliminated in the first round.
Prof. Miglena Temelkova takes over the presidency from Academician Lachezar Traikov, former rector of the Medical University in Sofia. She is the second woman to lead the organization after Art.-cor. Prof. Yordanka Kuzmanova, rector of the Agrarian University, who was president from the end of 2003 to the beginning of 2008. Prof. Temelkova is also the first woman elected as rector of the Higher School of Telecommunications and Posts.
“There are no small and large universities, there are no state and private,
no broad-based and specialized, no military and civil, no research and others not yet defined in the Law on Higher Education. Everyone should have an equal voice, because it is important who gives added value in the economy”, Prof. Temelkova addressed her colleagues. Among the important tasks, he indicated ensuring the international visibility of Bulgarian universities and increasing the authority of the Council of Rectors.
In an interview with “24 Chasa” a few days ago, in which she presented her vision, if she leads the other rectors, she guarantees that the preservation of
the principles of academic autonomy
is undoubtedly a primary task in the upcoming mandate.
According to Prof. Temelkova, the future is interdisciplinary specialties at universities.
Prof. Georgi Valchev – Rector of Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, Prof. Evgeni Stanimirov – rector of the University of Economics – Varna, the rector of the University of Thrace Prof. Dobri Yarkov, the rector of the Veliko Tarnovo University “St. St. Cyril and Methodius” Prof. Dimitar Dimitrov, Prof. Dobromir Dimitrov – rector of the Medical University – Pleven, and the rector of the National Academy of Music “Prof. Pancho Vladigerov” Prof. Sava Dimitrov.
“We took over the leadership of the council uniting Bulgarian higher schools in a rather complicated political situation – with the resignation of the current cabinet at the time, which had started key reforms in the field of higher education, which caused ambiguous reactions in our guild”, recalled Academician Lachezar Traikov in his report on the 2 years of his presidency.
He noted that
the lack of predictability and predictability has marked the entire mandate
“He went through several cabinet positions, held parliamentary elections that failed to produce a regular government. After this administration, which lasted 9 months, it is perhaps symptomatic that it ends at a time when Bulgaria again has a cabinet in resignation. I specify these things not as our justification, but because what was done in this period can only be understood in the context of the time and conditions in which we are working. It was a huge difficulty for us to enter into communications with constantly changing partners”, explained Academician Traikov.
The Council of Rectors does not have its own building, it does not receive a subsidy from the state. It is supported by the membership fees of the universities. The members of the management board and the chairman of the Council of Rectors do not receive remuneration. This is work with an ideal goal in the name of the good of higher education, say the heads of Bulgarian universities.