Interviewer: Aneta Petkova. Source: newspaper Trud

(abridged)

Prof. Ilchev answered question on the participation of Sofia University in the reformation process. He pointed out that the University took part in the debates and in the committees. He expressed his regret that the debates between the Ministry of Education, the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and the universities are done through the media. The example he gave was that the universities were informed through the media about the accreditation committee from the UK, and he pointed out that the educational system in Bulgaria is based on the German one.

He answered the question about the quality of education by commenting on the reasons for this phenomenon: the demographic crisis, the multiple private colleges, the lower level of the preparedness of the young people from school. He also indicated that measures were under discussion in the universities, as well as by the Ministry, which concern the philosophy of the funding for the education. The Rector stated that he had suggested to cut the state funding, with the reduces funding invested into higher quality curricula at a competitive principle.

His opinion of the academic society law was reserved, he pointer that there were good suggestions as the lecturers not to be able to take part in more than one university accreditation, or to pose less obstacles before the young specialists to develop.

He also commented on the corruption practices, as well as the relations between the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and the universities.