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Radev: Bulgaria has a potential to develop as a leading high-tech R&D centre

The President inaugurates the Institute for Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Technology at Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski"

Bulgaria has the potential and should develop as a leading R&D centre. This is not easy, it requires the unity of many institutions, and pooling the efforts of academia and our society as a whole. This is what President Rumen Radev said at the opening ceremony of the Institute for Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Technology at Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" (INSAIT), in partnership with the two largest technological universities of Switzerland - ETH Zurich and EPF Lausanne. The aim of the project is to attract world-class academics in the field of computer science and AI, to train top-level technology leaders and researchers, and to foster the creation of successful start-ups and entrepreneurs.

INSAIT is a shining example of how individuals with their deep knowledge, professional authority, vision for the future and tremendous energy can change the course of history, not just for one country, but for an entire region, the Head of State noted, expressing his gratitude for the invaluable work of Prof Martin Vechev, founder of INSAIT and professor at ETH Zurich, a leading scientist in the world of computer science and AI. 

The President went on to say, that the launching of the institute had succeeded in uniting the efforts of four governments, two regular and two caretaker ones, which had achieved unity and continuity for the sake of a high national goal.  I am sure that if the second part of the Bulgarian-Swiss programme continues in this way and we create several more such institutes, we will have a much more favourable political environment in Bulgaria, Rumen Radev stressed.

Before to the ceremony at the National Palace of Culture, the Head of State met with Guy Parmelin, head of the Swiss Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research. The two discussed the prospects for the extension of the Bulgarian-Swiss cooperation programme, which provides this country with expert and financial support in areas such as promoting economic growth and improving working conditions, social stability, public security, environmental protection, the rule of law and strengthening civil society.

President Radev underlined Bulgaria's endeavour to consolidate the results achieved during the second part of the programme. The success is particularly significant in the field of vocational training, and it has reached thousands of Bulgarian students, numerous schools and companies, the Head of State said. In his words, vocational training is a factor in reducing youth unemployment, social integration and the promotion of many SMEs in various fields.

The two expressed a common position that the Institute of Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Technology at "St. Kliment Ohridski" University would assist the business both in Switzerland and Bulgaria; it would also help Bulgarian scientists and students stay and work in Bulgaria, while the results of their work would be beneficial for both countries.

The upward trend of increasing the economic exchange between Bulgaria and Switzerland, as well as the cooperation in security and defence were also among the topics discussed at the meeting.