Dr. Julia M. Watkins, President of the American University in Bulgaria, has served in her present position since August 1993. Dr. Watkins received an MSW and a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from the University of Utah. Before coming to the American University in Bulgaria, she was a professor of Social Work, Dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, and Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University of Maine. Dr. Watkins has numerous presentations, including a book on social policy, as well as research and training grants to her credit in the field of gerontology, social policy, and interdisciplinary training for health care professionals. In addition, Dr. Watkins has an extensive record of university service and has served on the boards of many non-profit organizations, including the American Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria, the Foundation for Local Government Reform, and the Rector's Council of Bulgaria.
Dr. Julia Watkins met Martina Iovcheva - Editor-in-Chief of novinite.com and The News.
Q: In an interview for novinite.com John-Dimitry Panitza said that Bulgaria's biggest tragedy is that young people leave? Do you agree with him?
A: In some ways I do but in other ways I feel very differently. I think, first of all, that they don't all leave. We have seen some who have left for graduate education or jobs in the West to come back. The government here in Bulgaria now is making a major effort to attract people to come back. I also think that those who leave they stay connected with Bulgaria since they have family, friends here. A number of them, I can speak of our graduates, are highly mobile. They are between Western Europe, Australia, North America. They are everywhere and they are spokespersons for Bulgaria and that is not a loss.
Q: After so many years in Bulgaria, which, in your opinion, are the biggest problems the Bulgarian society faces today?
A: I think, first of all, Bulgarians need to develop and feel more self-confident in themselves and their own country because it is a wonderful country with fantastic human and geographic potential. Bulgarians need to be patient with the pace of change and I know that this is a very difficult thing to do because change has been talked about for twelve years now and it feels very, very slow. There are problems but there are also opportunities and certainly that is with accession to NATO and the European Union.
Q: The American University in Bulgaria plans to welcome the first class of its Executive MBA program in January 2003. Is it a natural extension of AUBG's presence in the region? Why did you choose to create the Executive MBA program exactly now?
A: There are a number of things that have come together at this point in time. First of all there is an identified need for the program. Second, AUBG is now positioned and ready to offer graduate level of program of the same quality of our undergraduate program in Blagoevgrad. Third, we will have a first rate facility to offer the program from. Now that we have the need, our expertise and a facility, we think it's perfect timing to launch this program. The Executive MBA of AUBG is sort of a flagship of our graduate education program.
Q: How will the new program continue to promote the values taught at AUBG?
A: I think the whole idea of leadership is very important. When you take the mission of AUBG, we talk about educating the leaders of the region that moves very nicely into this particular program. The three themes that underpin the whole curriculum are business ethics, leadership and entrepreneurship. Ethical behavior - ethics in business or ethics in personal behavior - is again something we underscore at AUBG. Entrepreneurship involves the notion of risk taking, creativity, problem solving. Those are all things one could begin naturally at the undergraduate program in Blagoevgrad.
Q: Could you describe a successful applicant?
A: This person is someone who is in a mid-level position who has had two to five years of experience, the corporation for which one works sees him/her as a current or potential leader with ability for the future to move higher in the organization. Also, someone who works very well with one's colleagues and sees the possibility of creating strong networks that will serve all of Southeast Europe.
Q: The launch consultant of the program Irena Komitova said that over 150 people have expressed interest in the program so far. How will it be promoted in the other countries from the region?
A: We will be promoting through trade delegations and AmCham organizations throughout Southeast Europe. We will be launching those particular outreach promotional endeavors right after September 1 and at the end of this month we will be going to Tirana, Albania.
Q: What are the three main things that make the Executive MBA of AUBG unique?
A: Actually, I think there are four unique things about the program. First of all, it is on-site, it is not a distance education program, it is face-to-face with professors and students. Second, it is targeted to be of very, very high quality reflecting the AUBG standards for diploma recognition and successful career development. The proof of that will be when we launch it and when we see students in it. The three things that you have to have for that high quality - you have to have a high quality faculty, very good students and a first-rate facility. So, we think that we will have those three components. Its other uniqueness is that it will focus on currently employed middle level managers and use the western case study method with materials especially designed to reflect the business and economic realities of Southeastern Europe. The fourth thing that is unique is the regional nature of the program.
Q: Looking back in time, what are the things that have satisfied you most in your work during your stay in Bulgaria so far?
A: I think few people in their professional lives have the opportunity to build an institution and feel they are making a difference. For me, that has been a tremendously satisfying thing to be doing. There are always small frustrations and large frustrations but there are small benefits and large benefits. I hope that what we have done has contributed to the stability and peace here as well as to the economic development. So, I feel very good about that.
Q: Could you describe Bulgaria in three words?
A: Nation of opportunities.
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