Campus visit of Bulgarian officials results in strategic new partnership between HBMSU & ULSIT

Dr. Al Awar & Prof. Sc.D. Denchev sign pioneering agreement to extend cooperation in education & scientific research in presence of H.E. Consul General Kolarov   [UAE, March 15, 2015] – A high profile education delegation from Bulgaria visited the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU) today (Sunday, March 15, 2015) to discuss possibilities of collaboration in the field of scientific research, training, and ‘Smart Education.’ The delegation was headed by Prof. Sc.D. Stoyan Denchev, Rector of ULSIT and the Member of the Governing Board of UNESCO Institute of Information Technologies and Education (IITE), and accompanied by H.E. Bogdan Kolarov, Consul General of the Republic of Bulgaria in Dubai. The visit resulted in the signing of the pioneering cooperative agreement between HBMSU and the University of Library Studies and Information Technologies (ULSIT), Bulgaria’s leading state university offering BA, MA and PhD programs in Library Science and Information Studies.   The agreement was signed by Dr. Mansoor Al Awar, Chancellor of HBMSU and Chairman of the Governing Board of the UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education (IITE), and Prof. Sc.D. Stoyan Denchev, in the presence of H.E. Kolarov and the high profile delegates, including Prof. Dr. Bella Tetevenska, Chief to the Cabinet of the Rector and Head of Protocol, International Projects and Academic Mobility Department at ULSIT. According to the landmark agreement, both parties will work closely to design programs and initiatives in the fields of education, training, and scientific research and development. In addition, they will also pursue joint public relations and information activities to facilitate learning for students.   Dr. Mansoor Al Awar said: “We are truly honored to receive the Bulgarian delegates of illustrious educationists headed by Prof. Sc.D. Stoyan Denchev and H.E. Bogdan Kolarov who visited HBMSU to explore the possibilities of strengthening the UAE’s ties with Bulgaria, particularly in the academic and research sectors. We have signed a landmark agreement, which is the first of its kind in the Middle East, with ULSIT to work closely together in the efforts to further advance education, research and training. The visit by the Bulgarian delegation demonstrates the eminence gained by HBMSU in offering ‘smart’ learning in the Arab World.”   Prof. Sc.D. Stoyan Denchev, ULSIT, said: “We are highly impressed with HBMSU’s academic facilities and course offering which has truly reinforced their position as one of the leading institution for open and online education. Our newly signed agreement ensures increased cooperation towards the exchange of information and technology in adoption of new teaching and learning techniques such as ‘online’ education -- helping us in our move towards a ‘smart’ learning curriculum.”   In the field of education and training, HBMSU and ULSIT will design joint education courses; exchange study plans and programs, education and methodical materials, lectures and specialists, and students; and organize joint consultation activities in order to write new books, educational handbooks, textbooks, and training aids. The two institutions will share to share know-how and experience; organize and implement joint scientific activities, such as  seminars, conferences, symposia, and teamwork programs, exchange research and development activities; implement joint scientific research; prepare and issue joint scientific publications; and participate in cross border and Euro programs and other initiatives in accordance with the specific of the two universities.   Lastly, in the field of PR and Information, both parties will organize joint communications to inform about their activities; share scientific information, scientific books, textbooks and teaching aids; mutually aid in the library supplying; and exchange information concerning important scientific conferences, symposia and other activities organized by one of the parties. During the session, they also discussed possibilities of further collaboration where ULSIT will get a deeper insight about HBMSU’s experience in ‘smart’ education. The delegation was also given the tours of the HBMSU campus where they were introduced to the ‘Smart Campus’ along with the other state-of-the-art technologies that are used by the university to its learning and teaching process.