Members of Bulgaria's Young Scientists's Association pictured here picnicking before the Council of Ministers in 2009. Photo by BGNES
The Young Scientists’ Association has declared itself in favor of reforming the Bulgarian Academy of Scientists to engage its scholars in teaching.
The idea to set up a new university associated with the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences is part of the draft act to reform the oldest modern academic institution in Bulgaria. It is supposed to boost research at the Academy.
In a letter to the President, Prime Minister, and Parliament Chair, the “Young Scientists” declare that the Academy actually has available the resources to “provide top-level education to students.”
“We would like to see the BAS be more actively committed to research and development activity,” the Association says.
Its position states that it sees issues with only four of the 27 mergers of BAS Institutes proposed by the government.
The issue of reforming the BAS has come to the fore of public attention as it was criticized in the fall of 2009 by Finance Minister Simeon Djankov for its outdated structure and inefficiency.