News and Events

On 23 June 2026, a working meeting was held at the Faculty of Philosophy of St. Cyril and St. Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo between representatives of the Faculty leadership and the Department of Psychology, and students and faculty members from California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB), USA. The visit was organised with the support of Assoc. Prof. Anna Ivanova, PhD, Vice-Rector for International Affairs at the University of Veliko Tarnovo, and Therapy Abroad Europe.

California State University, Bakersfield is part of the California State University system, one of the largest public university systems in the United States. The university educates more than 10,000 students and offers numerous bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes, as well as a doctoral programme in educational leadership. Psychology is among the established academic fields at the university, and CSUB develops active research in the behavioural and social sciences.

The visit was part of the international educational programme of Therapy Abroad Europe, whose aim is to introduce students to different models of education, professional training, and the organisation of psychological and health-related services in Bulgaria and Turkey. In addition to higher education institutions, participants visit mental health centres, psychological counselling services, social support organisations, and other institutions providing specialised services in the field of mental health and well-being.

During the meeting, the guests expressed strong interest in psychology education at the University of Veliko Tarnovo, the organisation of the study process, opportunities for practical training, and the professional development of psychology students in Bulgaria. They visited the Faculty of Philosophy and became acquainted with the activities of the Centre for Psychological Research and Counselling, where the main areas of work, research activities, counselling services, and opportunities for students’ active involvement in practical initiatives were presented.

OpenEU, the alliance working towards the creation of the first European open university, held a coordination meeting on 5–6 February 2026 in Lisbon, hosted by Universidade Aberta. The meeting marked the conclusion of OpenEU’s first year and the start of its second work cycle, at a key moment for transforming European ambition into concrete impact.

Over two days, alliance partners reviewed the progress achieved during the first year and approved the work plan for year two. Discussions focused on moving from consolidation to delivery, with the shared goal of reinforcing the role of open and distance universities within the European Higher Education Area. This role is increasingly essential in responding to rising demand for flexible learning pathways, lifelong learning and continuous reskilling.

Solid bases for scaling up

During its first year, OpenEU established solid governance and coordination mechanisms across diverse institutional contexts and delivered a series of pilot initiatives. These achievements provide a strong basis for advancing towards large-scale implementation in its second year.

Key achievements include the piloting of joint research workshops, the delivery of 11 shared doctoral courses with more than 80 enrolled students, and the organization of the first OpenEU International Winter School. The inaugural edition, in Athens, brought together nearly 100 doctoral and early-stage researchers, strengthening collaboration and connectivity within the European research and doctoral training community.

In parallel, the alliance approved several shared frameworks and policies that support future development. These include progress towards joint degrees and internationalization, as well as the conceptual design of strategic initiatives such as GPS Professional and the Lifelong Learning Portfolio.

OpenEU’s selection as an Early Adopter of the European Higher Education Interoperability Framework (HEIF) has further strengthened the alliance’s visibility and strategic positioning at European level.

As highlighted by Àngels Fitó, president of OpenEU and rector of the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), OpenEU’s European ambition responds to a clear social need: ensuring access to high-quality, flexible and equitable higher education for learners at all stages of life.

Highlight

After one year of consolidated progress, OpenEU enters its second phase with the aim of translating European cooperation into tangible opportunities for learners, staff and society.

Lisbon sets the direction for year two

Building on these foundations, the second work cycle launched in Lisbon aims to translate OpenEU’s collaborative scale into more visible opportunities for students, staff and society. Priorities for year two include enhanced mobility schemes, stronger links between skills development, employability and microcredentials, increased collaboration between academic communities, and the exploration of new shared initiatives such as an online employment fair and the alliance’s first joint bachelor’s programme.

Collaboration within the alliance will be further strengthened through five Staff Weeks planned for 2026, to be hosted at different OpenEU partner institutions, promoting staff mobility, peer learning and institutional alignment.

The long-term objective remains clear: to progress towards a pan-European open university capable of offering flexible and adaptable learning pathways that allow learners to access and advance in higher education without having to choose between education, work and everyday life.

On 1^st July, 2025 the Fifth Bulgarian Language and Culture Summer School was officially launched at the building of the Faculty of Foreign Languages of the University of Tirana. The Summer School will be held from 1^st to 25^th July at the Faculty.

This initiative has been organized by the Faculty of Foreign Languages and the Department of Slavic and Balkan Languages at the University of Tirana in cooperation with the St. Cyril and St. Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo as part of the Erasmus+ interuniversity cooperation programme.

The opening ceremony took place in the Europe Hall, where the attendees were welcomed, following Bulgarian tradition, by a student in a Bulgarian folk costume and offering traditional bread and honey, a combination symbolising hospitality and good fortune.

The Dean of the Faculty of Foreign Languages, Prof. Dr. Esmeralda Kromidha, welcomed the participants and congratulated the organizers and students for their involvement in this initiative, which strengthens academic and cultural connections between Bulgaria and Albania. She highlighted the Dean’s office unwavering support to intercultural and linguistic events in as part of the internationalization of higher education.

His Excellency Ivaylo Kirov, the Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria in Tirana, also wished that to the new edition of the School is off to a good start. He expressed his gratitude for the institutional hospitality and highly appreciated the role of the Faculty of Foreign Languages in the promotion of the Bulgarian language and culture in Albania, expressing gratitude to Prof. As. Dr. Raqi Bello and Dr. Miranda Bello for their dedication and efforts in teaching the Bulgarian language.

Prof. As. Dr. Adriatik Derjaj, Head of the Department of Slavic and Balkan Languages, talked at length about the Department's commitment to extracurricular activities related to Bulgarian language and culture and the enduring commitment to them as an integral part of the Department's academic profile. He thanked his Bulgarian colleagues for their attendance, as well as to the Bulgarian Embassy for the sustained cooperation.

Prof. Slavi Dimitrov, PhD, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Economics, and Prof. As. Dr. Raqi Bello, guests from the University of Veliko Tarnovo, delivered the UVT’s rector’s, Prof. Dimitar Dimitrov, PhD, well-wishes, and shared their impressions on the importance of the School for strengthening the academic and cultural ties between the two countries. They thanked the hosts and congratulated the students for their active participation.

The event was also attended by other faculty and staff from Bulgaria, as well as four students from the University of Veliko Tarnovo studying Albanian who will actively participate in the Summer school in order to ensure its smooth completion.