The European Polytechnic University has opened doors in the western Bulgarian town of Pernik.

Bulgaria's PM Boyko Borisov and the Education Minister, Sergey Igantov, were present at the Tuesday's opening ceremony of the university, which will have his first 63 students this academic year.

Since education is also offered in English, students from Turkey, Nigeria, Cameroon, Saudi Arabia and other countries have enrolled in the newly opened university. Classes will be conducted by 10 full-time and 11 part-time professors.

"At the moment the new university is being underestimated, but you will have the chance to prove yourself in 2-3 years," Borisov said while receiving the first honorary diploma from the university's leadership.

He explained that this chance would come from private and EU funding and from the lack of ambition in the 37 state universities in Bulgaria, which depend mostly on state funding.

The Education Minister, Sergey Ignatov, also expressed his belief in the university's bright future.

"In the following years, Bulgaria will have a little group of 10-15 universities, which will be full with European students," he said.

He also expressed his idea to unite the universities in Bulgaria as an austerity measure.

"The union will be realized as early as next year. It will happen on territorial or categorical principle, but universities will keep their autonomy," Ignatov said.

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