15.05.2026
Faculty members and researchers from the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” took active part in the XXI International Scientific Conference of the International Business School, dedicated to current challenges related to innovation, sustainable development, digital transformation, and organizational change.
The forum brought together scholars, lecturers, doctoral students, and experts from Bulgarian and international universities and institutions. The program focused on topics such as artificial intelligence, ESG policies, sustainable business models, digitalization, tourism, communications, and human resource development.
At the scientific conference “Organizations of the Future: Business Education, Leadership and Human Resource Development”, two significant papers were presented, addressing contemporary challenges in higher education and the development of competency-based learning models.
The first paper “Tracking Graduates as a Resource for Quality Management in Higher Education”, authored by Prof. Sonya Mileva-Bozhanova, examines the role of systematically tracking graduate career outcomes as a key tool for improving the quality of higher education institutions. It emphasizes that feedback from the labor market and alumni career development can serve as a reliable indicator of program effectiveness and strategic academic management.
The second paper “Gamification in Education as a Tool for Building an Effective Competency System” is the result of a joint effort by Prof. Neviana Krasteva, Prof. Sonya Mileva, Prof. Tsvetan Davidkov, and Chief Assist. Prof. Aleksey Potebnyia. The team analyzes the potential of gamification as a pedagogical approach that supports the development of sustainable competencies through engagement, motivation, and interactive learning models.
Both papers contribute to the broader debate on the modernization of higher education and the search for innovative approaches to human capital development. The presented research highlights the need for a closer connection between educational institutions, students, and the dynamic demands of the modern economy.
Particular interest was attracted by the paper “Designing Engaging Cultural Experiences: The Role of Gamification in Tourism and Human Resource Development”, co-authored by Prof. Neviana Krasteva. The study emphasizes the application of gamification as a tool for increasing consumer engagement, creating interactive cultural experiences, and developing sustainable models in tourism and human resource management.
The scientific forum confirmed the growing interest in interdisciplinary research in sustainable development, the digital economy, and innovative communication approaches. The participation of representatives from the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration at Sofia University contributed to strengthening academic dialogue between universities and developing research networks in the fields of sustainable business practices, innovation, and digital transformation.
The conference reaffirmed the importance of cooperation between higher education institutions and scientific organizations in addressing contemporary economic, technological, and social challenges, as well as the role of the academic community in developing sustainable and innovative models of management and communication.