South-West University "Neofit Rilski"

Coordinates: 42°1′6″N 23°4′38″E / 42.01833°N 23.07722°E / 42.01833; 23.07722

South-West University "Neofit Rilski" / South-West University "Neophyte of Rila"
Югозападен университет “Неофит Рилски”
Type Public
Established 1975
Rector Ivan Mirchev
Academic staff
 470
Students 12,579
Location Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria
Website www.swu.bg

The South-West University "Neofit Rilski" (Bulgarian Югозападен университет “Неофит Рилски”) is a university located in Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria. It was founded in 1975.

History

The patron of the university in Blagoevgrad is the patriarch of the new Bulgarian education: Neofit Rilski/ Neophyte of Rila.

The university was first founded as a branch of Sofia University.[1] The first 200 students admitted 1976/77 had two specialties: pedagogy for the preparation of teachers for kindergartens and pedagogy for preparation of teachers for primary schools. In this way, for the first time, Bulgaria started preparing teachers with university degrees for kindergartens and primary schools. The tutorials were realized by three professors, two associate professors and thirteen assistant professors.

With Act No. 2296, 4 August 1983, of the State Council of the Republic of Bulgaria (State Newspaper No. 62/1983), the branch was transformed into separate institute. The institute is looking for own image and own way in the preparation of teachers. Two years later in 1985, the Scientific Council starts functioning. It has the right to elect Assoc. Professors in Pedagogy, Psychology, Defectology and Methodology of Teaching. Many new specialties like Mathematics, Physics, Bulgarian Language and Literature, Bulgarian Language and History find place in the study programmes. In 1990 already is realized education of full- and part-time students in five faculties and in ten specialties.

The Institute more and more confirms itself as higher school of university type. Starts admission of foreign students.

In the period of time after 1990, under the influence of the processes of democratization in all spheres of the social life and in accordance with the Law for Academic Autonomy, the Higher School in Blagoevgrad develops with accelerated rates. New specialties and faculties are created. Alongside the education financed by the state, paid education is introduced. In regards of the reached level of development and the high demand of specialists with university degree especially in the field of Economics, Law and the social activities, with decision of the People's Assembly dated July 1995 (State Newspaper No. 68/1995), the Higher Pedagogical Institute, Blagoevgrad becomes South-West University Neophyte of Rila, Blagoevgrad. In this act are reflected the following basic moments:

On 27 January 1997 with Act No. 16 of the Council of Ministers, the College of Machine Building and Electrotechnics, Blagoevgrad is transformed into Technical College, affiliated in the structure of the South-West University, Blagoevgrad.

Organization

The university is divided into seven faculties and one college:

References

  1. ↑ St. Kliment Ohridski with Order No. 323 dated 9 August 1975 of the Bureau of the Council of Ministres (State Newspaper No. 65/1975).
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