An academic visit of representatives from the National Sports Academy “Vasil Levski” and the Faculty of Public Health, Healthcare and Tourism in Sofia, Republic of Bulgaria, was realized at the University “Goce Delcev” – Stip, within the framework of which a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed aimed at deepening the scientific and educational cooperation between the two higher education institutions.
During the visit to the UGD, Prof. Dr. Daniela Ljubenova, Vice-Rector for Quality of Education and Accreditation at the National Sports Academy “Vasil Levski”, and also a former Dean and Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Public Health, Healthcare and Tourism, was present.
The visit is being carried out within the framework of the mobility project No. BG05SFPR001-3.004-0015 “Development of Project-Based Doctoral Programmes and Establishment of a Doctoral School at NSA (ProDoDU)”, funded under the Education Programme 2021–2027.
During the stay, Prof. Dr. Ljubenova and the visiting academic staff members delivered lectures to the students of the UGD in the field of physiotherapy, enabling the physiotherapist students to become familiar with new experiences and modern approaches in this field.
Prof. Dr. Ljubenova emphasized that her cooperation with the UGD is not new and that three years ago she visited the University within the framework of teacher mobility through the Erasmus+ programme.
“Three years ago, I was on a teacher exchange within the Erasmus program and I am very impressed by the specialties you are developing, and especially by the physiotherapy that you have at the university. Since I am a professor of physiotherapy, I am pleased to exchange experience with your teachers and students in this field, and there are also doctoral candidates with me who are also in the field of physiotherapy,” said Prof. Dr. Ljubenova.
She emphasized that the cooperation between the National Sports Academy “Vasil Levski” and the UGD has the potential to develop in several areas, especially in scientific research and doctoral education.
“The memorandum that we will now sign is related to the development of our relations in the scientific field, for joint master’s and doctoral programs and development between the two higher education institutions,” Ljubenova pointed out.
As a significant opportunity for future cooperation, she also singles out the active involvement of professors and academic staff in joint scientific activities.
“Lecturers can participate in scientific activities, conferences, and scientific articles that we can jointly publish with your professors and associate professors here in Shtip,” added Prof. Dr. Ljubenova.
The memorandum represents a continuation and upgrade of the existing cooperation established through the Erasmus+ program, opening additional space for joint scientific research activities, mobilities, workshops, conferences, and publications, as well as for the development of joint master’s and doctoral study programs.
Of particular importance in the cooperation is the field of physiotherapy, where the exchange of knowledge and experiences between academic staff and students creates opportunities for improving the teaching process and connecting the practical and scientific aspects of the profession.
The visit of representatives of the National Sports Academy “Vasil Levski” and the Faculty of Public Health, Healthcare and Tourism from Sofia represents another step towards the internationalization of higher education and deepening inter-institutional cooperation, with direct opportunities for students, doctoral candidates and academic staff of both institutions.
