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Master's Programme: Innovation and digital transformation of agribusiness (New programme 2022)

Length of study: 2 semesters

Form of study: part-time

For specialists and non-specialists

Director: Prof. Teodora Georgieva, PhD

E-mail: tmgeorgieva@feb.uni-sofia.bg

 

Tuition fees in Sofia University for the academic 2024 / 2025 year

 

As a member in various prestigious organizations, the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration collaborates at national and international level to support the education and professional realization of the students from the master's program "Innovation and digital transformation of agribusiness".

 

Agriculture Academy

The Agricultural Academy is a national autonomous budget organization that carries out scientific, applied, educational, service and support activities in the field of agriculture, animal husbandry and food industry. Its activities are carried out within the framework of the state agricultural policy, the Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union and the National Research Strategy. The Agricultural Academy is a unified scientific structure within the Ministry of Agriculture, with centralized scientific and administrative management and structural units that implement projects of global and national importance. AA is a scientific and educational institution, recognized as a leader in key scientific and technological areas and an established partner of the Ministry of Agriculture in the development of Bulgarian agriculture and rural areas, and it is constantly upgrading and developing its scientific and innovative capacity. The AA’s main activity is the creation and cultivation of Bulgarian varieties / hybrid plants and animal breeds. In this direction, it creates specific and unique Bulgarian products through small, boutique productions with high added value.

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Association for the Promotion of Agricultural Cooperation between China and the Central and Eastern European Countries (APACCCEEC)

Since 2015, APACCCEEC has been fulfilling the mission of coordinator in the mechanism for cooperation in the field of agriculture, creating a network of business contacts, and exchanging relevant information in its unified database. The cooperation formula established by the Association contributes to the coordination of the policy pursued by Beijing with regard to the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and determines the direction of further development of bilateral relations. The China-CEE cooperation provides a new driving force for the traditionally friendly relations between China and the CEE countries, builds a platform for mutually beneficial cooperation and serves as a tool for deepening contacts between China and CEE. Cooperation is in line with China’s relations with the EU and reaffirms its commitment to deepening the Partnership for Peace, Growth, Reform and Civilization, based on the principles of equality, respect and trust, thus contributing to the implementation of the EU-China Strategic Cooperation Program 2020.

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Institute for Agristrategies and Innovation

The Institute for Agristrategies and Innovation provides information on the most important national and European policy developments in agriculture and rural development - dates, figures, opportunities and pitfalls. IASI's analyzes and comments support Bulgarian business for the implementation of future plans and initiatives, and Bulgarian politicians and administration in the decisions making, striving to ensure a sustainable and predictable environment for the development of agriculture, the food industry and rural areas. The Institute for Agricultural Strategies and Innovations is among the founders of AgroHub.BG and coordinator of the European Digital Innovation Hub in the field of agriculture for Bulgaria.

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Lecturers in the program:

1-

Prof. Dr. Teodora Georgieva, Director of the master's program Innovations and digital transformation of agribusiness”

Leads lectures for Masters in Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Agribusiness, Strategic Management and Competitiveness of Agribusiness, Management of Innovation in the Organization (in English), Organizational Theory (in English).

 

2-

Svetlana Boyanova, Institute for Agrostrategies and Innovations

Svetlana Boyanova is a leading expert in Bulgaria on the subject of Common Agricultural Policy. Since mid-2003, she has been a legal advisor at the Bulgarian International Business Association (BIBA), currently KRIB. From 2008 to 2010, she was the executive director of the Association of Agricultural Producers in Bulgaria. During the period 2010-2013, she was the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food responsible for "Land Relations", "Direct Payments" and "Rural Development Program". From November 2013 to the present, she leads the Institute for Agristrategies and Innovations with the aim of informing the general public about the complex political interrelationships at the EU level and interpreting the documents accompanying the creation and implementation of agricultural policies.

 

3-

Savina Mihailova

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Savina Mihailova-Goleminova is a lecturer in financial and tax law. She has specialized in IFBD (Amsterdam, the Netherlands) and Oxford University (United Kingdom). Member of the Sofia BAR Association and the International Fiscal Association (IFA). Representative of the Bulgarian branch of IFA in IFA WIN. More information about Assoc. Prof. Savina Mihailova-Goleminova can be found here.

 

4-

Prof. Sonia Mileva - Bojanova, Dr.

Sonia Mileva is a Full Professor at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohrdiski”. She holds Doctor of Science in Economics from Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” and PhD degree in Marketing from University of National and World Economy – Sofia. Her major research interests include tourism marketing, strategic development, specialized (niche) tourism, professional skills and competencies in tourism, etc. Program leader of the master program “Economics and Digital Tourism management” at Sofia University. Annually visiting lecturer in universities in Portugal, Finland, UK, Cyprus and others. Fluent in English, Russian and Portuguese. Deputy Chairman of Bulgarian Association for Education, Science and Culture (BKONK). Member of Standing Scientific Expert Commission for Social Sciences at of Bulgarian National Science Fund (BNSF). External expert at Directorate General "Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion" of the European Commission developing for Tourism - European Skills, Competencies and Occupation taxonomy (ESCO). Experienced in accreditation and curriculum development for higher education in Tourism, and also for development of state educational standards for vocational education and training. Experienced in a number of research and scientific projects related to Tourism education, development of professional skills and competencies.

 

5-

Prof. Eng. Yordan Botev, visiting professor at the Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”

Prof. Botev teaches basic lecture courses in bachelor's and master's programs of SU "St. Kliment Ohridski". Author and teacher of curricula for "Administrative-Territorial Organization of the Republic of Bulgaria", "Property Management", "Territory Planning", "Settlement Planning", "Policies in the Municipality and Settlement", "Territory Planning and Settlement Planning”, “Project Management”, etc.

 

6-

Dr. Vasil Vasilev, GIS consultant, "Software Development" at TechnoLogika EAD

Specializes in project management related to satellite image processing, software development in the fields of agriculture, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), time-series data, crop identification, and land cover. Obtained the educational and scientific degree "Doctor" at the Institute for Space Research and Technologies - Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia; Section "Remote studies and GIS.

 

7-

Dr. Silvia Todorova, patent representative

Silvia Todorova is an industrial property representative in the field of trademarks, geographical indications and designs at the Patent Office of the Republic of Bulgaria. She has successfully completed a number of courses at the World Intellectual Property Organization. Member of the International Trademark Association (INTA), USA. Since March 2015, he has been a part-time teacher and doctoral student in the Department of "Creative Industries and Intellectual Property" at UNWE. He speaks English and Spanish. Dr. Silvia Todorova is the only member from Bulgaria of the Permanent Committee for Genetic Resources and Traditional Knowledge of the International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property. Some of the main tasks and objectives of the Standing Committee are to monitor, comment and advise on policies and legislation relating to intellectual property and genetic resources, traditional knowledge and folklore.

 

8-

Nikolinka Ilinkina, Food Quality and Safety Auditor and Trainer at Intertek Academy, Intertek Bulgaria

Audit competence in the field of IFS Food version 7, FSSC 22000, ISO 22000, HACCP; ISO 9001; ISO 14000; ISO 45000; ISO 22716; FSC CoC Course. Second Party Food Auditor, including for McDonald's, Kraft Heinz, Firmenich, Molsen Coors, Givaudan, Scamark, GAIN Swiss Foundation and others. IRCA registered instructor of ISO standards at Intertek Academy. Auditor and trainer in food quality and safety.

 

9-

Stoilko Apostolov, Manager of the Foundation for Organic Agriculture BIOSELLENA

Stoilko Apostolov is the manager of the "Bioselena" Foundation for Organic Agriculture - an organization dedicated to consulting and training organic farmers, processors and sellers of organic products. He graduated with the speciality "Veterinary Medicine" at Trakia University in Stara Zagora. Stoilko Apostolov has numerous specializations and additional qualifications in project development, planning and implementation, NGO management, organic production and processing, marketing, food quality and safety and others. He is a member of the 2007-2013 RDP Monitoring Committee, a member of the 2014-2020 RDP Monitoring Committee with an advisory vote. Since 1996, he has been actively involved in policies for the development of agriculture and rural areas in Bulgaria and Europe. Participates in various projects implemented by the Bioselena Foundation, founded by the Scientific Institute of Organic Agriculture FIBL - Switzerland.

 

Educational Objectives

The agricultural sector is at the heart of human civilization, and to this day retains its decisive role in the development of the economy and the well-being and quality of life of society. Despite belonging to the so-called low-tech (traditional) sectors, in the conditions of unprecedented development of technologies of Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0, the agricultural sector is becoming an application field for a number of cutting-edge technological achievements - biotechnology, robotics, artificial intelligence, new materials, blockchain technologies, and genetic modification are only part of modern approaches to increase crop productivity, reduce resource consumption and reduce negative environmental impacts. For scientists and technology companies, the agricultural sector is one of the most fascinating and productive areas of work.

The agricultural sector is among the main priorities of European and national policy in the process of economic transformation. Economic transformation is seen as a continuous, long-term process of shifting resources from low-productivity activities to high-productivity activities at sectoral and cross-sectoral levels for greater diversification, sustainable development, and competitiveness. In the context of agribusiness, achieving the goals of economic transformation is associated with creating conditions for the development of entrepreneurial and innovation culture, application of digital technologies and green innovations and management of intellectual capital both in the agricultural sector and activities related to it within national and global technology added value chains and in compliance with the principles of sustainable development, the requirements of European and national regulations and applicable international standards.

The Master's program "Innovation and Digital Transformation of Agribusiness" is AIMED AT an opportunity for business representatives, state and local administration, non-governmental sector and individual experts working in the field of agriculture and related activities to generate specialized knowledge and skills, to integrate into sectoral networks and interactions and to access to specific know-how through meetings with leading professionals from the country and abroad.

The master's program offers a unique set of disciplines in the field of European and national sectoral policies, agro-food systems and supply chains, entrepreneurship and innovation, application of digital technologies, protection of intellectual assets, financing of innovative projects, organic farming, and sustainable development. In this sense, the creation of the master's program is in line with the policy and strategy of the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration at Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski” for bringing the master's programs closer to practice and addressing its needs through preparing well-trained specialists.

The program is open to all applicants who have completed a bachelor's or master's degree in a professional field 3.7. Administration and management or 3.8. Economics and have a minimum level of B2 in English according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

 

The educational focus of the program is to build on the bachelor's degree in all specialities from all professional fields. It is structured in such a way as to offer high-quality training at the master's level. Its design ensures the coverage of a wide range of topics and approaches from the practice of agribusiness.

The program includes introductory courses on European and national policies, international standards and certification in the agricultural sector, agro-food systems and supply chains and rural development, which provide a general understanding of the scope and boundaries of the agricultural sector and its interactions with other economic activities within the sectoral innovation system and technology value-added chain. Some of the key courses are dedicated to specific topics such as entrepreneurship, innovation and patent activity, digitalization of business processes and financing with a focus on the agricultural sector. Courses with a strong practical focus, such as Organic Farming, Policies, Markets and Entrepreneurship, and Rural and Agricultural Tourism, are also available.

In addition, students can choose from specialized courses related to topics such as strategic management and competitiveness, green marketing and others.

Non-economist students must choose two general economic preparatory disciplines - "Fundamentals of Management" and "Business Planning and Control". The aim is to ensure a minimum basic training and knowledge of fundamental management disciplines to support the successful acquisition of specialized economic material. The optional disciplines "Marketing", "Organizational Behaviour" and "Economic Aspects of Law" offer an expansion of competencies.

In addition to exams as a traditional approach to assessing student progress, the educational process includes solving practical cases within structured assignments. The program ends with the development of a master's thesis on a topic jointly defined and implemented in cooperation with interested representatives of the agricultural sector. In this respect, the master's thesis could also serve as a tool to facilitate the transition to the labour market.

 

Professional Qualifications

After successful completion of the program, graduate masters must:

In theoretical and applied aspects:

  • To know the technology and practice for developing European and national policies, strategies and programs for the development of the agricultural sector and related economic activities.
  • To know the relevant legal and regulatory framework in Bulgaria, Europe and the world.
  • To have knowledge of the international standards and certification processes applicable in the sector.
  • To know the scope and interactions within the sectoral innovation system and agro-food systems and supply chains.
  • To have knowledge of the processes related to economic restructuring and digital transformation of processes and business models in the agricultural sector.
  • To know the methods and approaches for managing the entrepreneurial, innovative and patent activity of agribusiness.
  • To know the connection and influence of the agricultural sector on environmental protection and sustainable development.
  • To know the economic aspects and management of projects in the agricultural sector and the possibilities for their financing within European and national programs.
  • To know the impact of investments on the competitiveness of businesses in the agricultural sector and the products and services they provide on national and international markets.
  • To be aware of the prospects for Bulgarian agribusiness in the context of regional and European integration.
  • To know the main aspects of strategic management of SMEs and large companies in the agricultural sector - strategies and restructuring, regulation, marketing and sales, executive and financial management, asset management and servicing, management information systems and others.

 

In the practical aspect:

  • To develop and implement successful projects for innovation.
  • To protect and manage intellectual property.
  • To apply technologies for the digitalization of business processes.
  • To introduce and manage certified systems for quality maintenance and development.
  • To apply what has been learned as theoretical knowledge and shared practical experience to solve problems in practice.
  • To prepare sectoral analyses, and diagnostics of the organizational environment and the organization itself.
  • To formulate goals and strategies, make plans and apply different types of control.
  • To communicate effectively.
  • To plan and organize their own work effectively.
  • To be able to use various sources of information and work with them independently.

 

Professional Realization

Graduates of the program can develop their professional careers as leaders of cooperatives, chairmen of cooperatives and cooperative unions, managing and executive directors of organizations and enterprises of agriculture and related activities of the processing industry, farmers, analysts of management and organization, managers, and consultants in public administration, such as teachers and researchers, and others.