On 27–29 April 2026, a Consultancy Meeting of the International Nuclear Management Academy – INMA – was held at the headquarters of the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna. The event was organized in a hybrid format and brought together university representatives and experts from different countries engaged in the development of master’s programmes in the field of nuclear technologies, management and leadership in the nuclear sector.

During the programme of the first day, dedicated to the INMA framework and expectations, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Atanas Georgiev, Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration and Co-Director of the master’s programme “Nuclear Technologies, Management and Innovations” on behalf of the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, presented the experience of Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” in establishing and developing the programme. The presentation was part of the session for sharing university experience, which also included representatives of the University of Tokyo, Harbin Engineering University, National Research Nuclear University MEPhI and KINGS.

The International Nuclear Management Academy is an initiative supported by the IAEA, which encourages universities to establish and develop master’s programmes in nuclear technology management. These programmes combine in-depth training in management and leadership with knowledge in the field of nuclear technologies, with the aim of supporting the preparation of future leaders and experts in the nuclear sector.

In his presentation, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Atanas Georgiev presented the development of the master’s programme “Nuclear Technologies, Management and Innovations”, which is jointly implemented by the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration and the Faculty of Physics of Sofia University. He emphasized the need for a sustainable partnership between the two faculties, the involvement of lecturers and practitioners from the nuclear sector, as well as the importance of the programme for preparing a new generation of specialists who combine technical knowledge, management competences and an understanding of the regulatory, economic and institutional environment of nuclear energy.

The participants in the meeting were also presented with the timeline of the programme’s development – from the initial idea, which emerged at the Faculty of Physics in 2019, through consultations with representatives of industry and institutions in the period 2020–2023, to receiving initial endorsement under the INMA framework and enrolling the first students in the 2023/2024 academic year. The presentation also outlined the subsequent steps – adapting the curriculum according to feedback, preparing for the next endorsement procedure and sharing Sofia University’s experience with other universities in the international network.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Atanas Georgiev presented the main characteristics of the programme: it is delivered in English, organized in part-time mode, with a duration of four semesters and 120 ECTS credits. The training includes courses in the fields of economics and management of nuclear energy, nuclear safety, legislation and regulation, human resources management, strategic management, communications, knowledge management and safety culture. The programme also provides for specializations related to large nuclear facilities and small modular reactors.

Particular attention was paid to the practical orientation of the programme and its connection with the needs of the nuclear industry in Bulgaria. During the presentation, it was noted that the first cohort of students is expected to defend their master’s theses in July 2026, with the graduation papers required to include a practical element and to demonstrate both theoretical and applied preparation.

The master’s programme “Nuclear Technologies, Management and Innovations” is intended for applicants holding a bachelor’s or master’s degree and is particularly suitable for graduates in economics, management, engineering and other related fields. It is among the leading examples of interdisciplinary education at Sofia University, combining academic expertise, industry partnership and an internationally recognized framework for preparing specialists for the nuclear sector.

The participation of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Atanas Georgiev in the meeting in Vienna confirms the active role of Sofia University and the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration in international educational initiatives in the field of nuclear energy, as well as the contribution of the programme “Nuclear Technologies, Management and Innovations” to the development of human capital in a strategically important sector for Bulgaria and Europe.