The Bulgarian President has vetoed Monday the Act for the Development of Academic Staff, following a meeting with a group of young Bulgarian scholars who have objected to the Act.

According to the Act for the Development of Academic staff, which was adopted April 15, 2010, the Higher Attestation Committee – an independent outside body, responsible for granting academic titles – must be shut down within 8 months while Bulgarian universities will take on its functions and start bestowing academic titles.

President Parvanov said Monday that “the revision of some of the texts of the Act will trigger a discussion on issues that concern the entire Bulgarian public.”

The Bulgarian President has also pointed out that parts of the Act are unconstitutional and out of synch with the EU legislation. He stated that the Act has “serious loopholes” which will hamper its proper implication.

According to Bulgaria's President the newly adopted Act does not clearly outline the conditions for academic career development. In his opinion, the criteria and requirements for receiving an academic title are also not distinctly stipulated.

President Parvanov stated Monday that the Act makes very little difference between “Assistant Professor”, “Associate Professor” and “Professor” and that the mechanisms for selecting a jury to grant academic titles are also unclear.

Bulgaria's President has expressed his strong disagreement with the government's decision to exempt the Act from court interference.

Bulgaria's Education Minister Sergey Ignatov, who has authored most of the Act, said during parliamentary discussions on April 15 that the changes to the country's higher education will boost “the competitive spirit” of Bulgarian universities and pointed out that no “boom” of academic titles is expected as the procedure for receiving one is quite tough.

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