07.10.2024
From September 18 to 25, 2024, professors from the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration visited university institutions in Argentina at the invitation of the Argentine-Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and with the support of the Embassy of the Republic of Argentina in Bulgaria.
The delegation from the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration included Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dimitar Zlatinov, Vice-Dean of the Faculty and Head of the Department of Economics; Prof. Dr. Nadia Velinova-Sokolova, Chair of the Faculty Research Committee; Prof. Dr. Stefan Petranov; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Stela Raleva; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Milen Velushev from the Department of Economics; and PhD candidate Dilyana Slavova from the doctoral program "Economics and Economic Policy".
During the meeting with Prof. Ricardo Acuña, Dean of the Faculty of Economic Sciences at the University of Buenos Aires, and representatives of the Dean's Office, the possibilities for cooperation within the framework of the partnership agreement between the two academic institutions were discussed. The focus was on the exchange of students and faculty members between the two institutions under the Erasmus+ program, as well as the development of joint research projects by scholars from both countries. The Bulgarian professors' work on Bulgaria's transition from Currency Board Arrangements to eurozone integration, along with the labor market challenges in this context, attracted considerable interest. The hosts shared current characteristics of Argentina’s economic development and the potential for joint research by teams from both countries.
The Bulgarian delegation received a particularly warm welcome at Austral University – the only university in Argentina with triple accreditation from AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS. During the meeting with Mrs. María Gabriela Espeche Gil, International Relations Director, as well as university representatives and professors from the Department of Economics, opportunities for joint student programs, faculty exchanges, and joint research projects with other internationally accredited universities were discussed. The Argentine colleagues shared their experience with Austral University's international accreditation and offered valuable recommendations for the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration regarding its upcoming accreditation efforts for its study programs.
At the meeting with colleagues from the Faculty of Economics and Business at the National University of San Martín, opportunities for trilateral cooperation with Sofia University and Austral University were presented, as well as the experience of the Argentine colleagues in conducting joint research with professors from other countries. Special interest was expressed in attracting Bulgarian professors and students to the educational programs of the National University of San Martín and expanding collaboration with Bulgaria within the framework of a partnership agreement. Representatives of the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration raised questions about successfully building a business network around the Faculty of Economics and Business, promoting research in close contact with corporate and public institutions, and the possibilities for internship programs for students. The Bulgarian professors’ research on labour market in Bulgaria and the eurozone sparked interest among the Argentine counterparts, who sought parallels between the economic developments of the two countries.
During the meeting with colleagues from the National University of Tierra del Fuego and representatives of local authorities in Ushuaia, discussions centered on the economic challenges of building a sustainable development model, the adaptation of global supply chains, and the labour market. The Argentine colleagues were impressed by the Faculty's research in this area and presented their own views within the context of the structuralist economic approach. Both sides recognized that presenting different perspectives on current global issues is a potential field for future research and joint initiatives.
The visit of the Bulgarian delegation to Argentina was funded within the framework of the SUMMIT project and the National Science Research Fund.