From July 25 to July 31, 2008, the American University in Bulgaria will host one of the world's largest international mathematics competitions for University students. The competition is organized by University College - London, with the collaboration of AUBG. The official opening is on Saturday, July 26, at 10 a.m., in the AUBG Auditorium. Prof. John E. Jayne, University College-London, and Provost Ann Ferren, AUBG, will welcome the guests.

More than 250 students from 36 countries around the world will compete. Among the countries participating are Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Brazil, USA, and almost all the European countries. More than 60 universities will have representatives in the competition.

The competition is organized with the help of AUBG, a sponsor and the official host of the event, as well as with the participation of Princeton University Press, Wolfram Research and others.

There will be two rounds to the competition with the first round on Sunday, July 27, and the second round on Monday, July 28. The mathematics problems will be announced at the beginning of the competition.

This year 248 students from 18 different countries received their diplomas at the official ceremony, which took place on May 18, 2008 in Blagoevgrad. Valedictorians of the class became Anna Tomova, Bulgaria, and Izabela Vlahu, Macedonia, who graduated with GPA 3.98.

At the ceremony 21 students from the fifth class of the Executive Masters program in Business Administration at AUBG also received their diplomas.

Honorary degree “Doctor Honoris Causa” was awarded to His Excellency John Beyrle, the US ambassador to Bulgaria, who was also a keynote speaker at the fourteenth commencement ceremony. In his address to the guests Beyrle said: “We must work together to build societies based on tolerance and democratic values, societies where people do not fear those who are different from them, societies where people of different nationalities and religions live and work peacefully together. This is not dream. The American University in Bulgaria is a vivid proof that we can build such societies.” He considers the most valuable lesson that a University teaches its students is not to be: “…afraid to ask hard questions, not afraid to challenge the common wisdom, not afraid to speak your mind. That’s what makes you, and your University, different from others. This is a laboratory for inventing new ideas and new ways of thinking.”

Greetings to the graduating students sent Mr. Flanagan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of AUBG, the AUBG President Dr. Huwiler and the Deputy Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Bulgaria Vania Dobreva on behalf of Mr. Daniel Valchev - Minister of Education and Science. On behalf of the students Andreaa Ceplinschi (BA) and Manol Peykov (EMBA) gave salutatory speeches.

American University in Bulgaria will host the Fifth Annual AMICAL Conference, which will take place in Blagoevgrad from May 25 through May 28, 2008.

AUBG library is a founder and a member of AMICAL (American International Consortium of Academic Libraries) – an international consortium of 20 academic libraries from 17 countries across Europe, West and North Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia and Russia. AMICAL institutions are committed to American model of liberal education. They form cross-institutional teams, devise projects and policies, collaborate for mutual benefit and support the advancement of learning and teaching.

The theme of this year AMICAL conference is “Learning from Each Other: Assessment and Collaborative Learning”. Two intersecting themes are running through the program: assessment/benchmarking of libraries and IT services, and technology for collaboration.

There will be also two concurrent post-conference workshops "Virtual Collaboration" and "Web-Based Video-Conferencing" offered by NITLE representatives with recognized expertise in these areas.

Four students of the American University in Bulgaria will benefit from the Citi Distinguished Scholarship Award Program for the 2008-09 academic year. The $10,000 grant, provided by Citi Foundation, will fund four partial scholarships covering about 35% of the tuition fees. The scholarships are opened to students majoring in Economics and Business Administration. The selection is on a need and merit basis following the submission of an essay.

This is the second year Citi Bulgaria and the American University in Bulgaria partner in the institution’s scholarship programs. The grants support high-achieving students with financial constraints and ensure that they receive quality education in their chosen fields.

The grant program is part of the $200 million global commitment to financial education announced by Citi and the Citi Foundation in the year 2004. To date Citi has invested $120m across 100 countries in which it operates.

"We are proud to have the opportunity to partner with Citibank Bulgaria in our efforts to nurture young talent for the business and financial services sector in Bulgaria. The scholarship funds will help AUBG achieve its mission to foster the intellectual growth and leadership development of the academically gifted but needy students from the region," said the President of the American University in Bulgaria Dr. David Huwiler.

80 students and faculty representing 17 Universities from Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Kosovo, Macedonia, Moldova, Romania and Serbia took part in the conference organized by students from the American University in Bulgaria. The conference “Bridging Perspectives for a Shared Future” took place on the AUBG campus on April 4-6, 2008. The honorary speaker at the Opening Ceremony of the conference was Dr. Solomon Passy, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria.

This conference is a pioneer student initiative aiming to establish university relations between  universities in the region and to build network for future academic and social cooperation . During the conference, students and professors from each university had the chance to establish both formal and informal relations with students and professors from different universities, discussed students’ involvement and their role in society, as well as shared thoughts on political and economic developments of the region.

As usual AUBG will open doors on April 2-4, 2008 to prospective applicants, their parents and teachers.

This year April 2nd will be a Special Day to celebrate the new admitted students and welcome them on Campus to experience the AUBG spirit before they make their final decision to enroll. Schedule

On April 3rd and 4th, 2008 AUBG will welcome prospective students, their teachers and parents. Schedule

Please, register online or call Jenny Pendeva at 073/888 219 or write to jenny@aubg.bg

The American University in Bulgaria(AUBG) is offering a Free Institutional* paper based TOEFL for Bulgarian high school students currently enrolled in 11th or 12th  grade and interested to apply to the University. The test-takers will have the chance to simultaneously check their English language proficiency and use the Institutional* TOEFL as an entry test to AUBG if it satisfies the AUBG admission requirements.

The Institutional* TOEFL will be administered on April 19th, 2008 in Sofia at the AUBG Elieff Center in Studentski Grad.

Registration Fee: 20 leva
Registration Deadline: April 1st, 2008

* The TOEFL test is institutional, meaning that the score will be reported only to AUBG and to no other institution.

U.S. Ambassador to Bulgaria John Beyrle visited AUBG on Thursday, February 21, 2008. From 7 p.m. Beyrle had an open meeting with the AUBG community. The Red room turned too narrow to host all the students, faculty and administration members, willing to attend the event. The U.S. ambassador gave a lecture on the topic: "A new relationship: Europe, Bulgaria and the United States."

Early admissions deadline expires on March 1, 2008 - do not miss the chance to receive better financial aid and become part of the talented student body from 30 countries at AUBG!

Please, make sure to complete your application for admission accordingly.

To overcome differences, to understand the beliefs of others, and to be tolerant towards the different people around you, is the message of International Week, which is held at the American University in Bulgaria (AUBG) from 11 until 16 February 2008. Young people from Bulgaria, Serbia, Macedonia, Albania, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Romania, Moldova, the U.S.A. and many other countries, will look at our differences. Life in AUBG has taught students to be understanding of the fact that all young people around the world are actually quite alike in their desires, goals, and dreams. According to them, the truth of living well together is built upon “finding similarities and tolerance towards the differences.”

AUBG is the only place in Bulgaria where students from 30 countries share not only the classroom, but also the place they live in, daily activities, way of life, and entertainment.

The Office of Admissions will host the regular Open House Day on February 1, 2008 (Friday) from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. that will take place at the New Academic Building – Scaptopara Campus.

Prospective students, their friends, parents and teachers are welcome to register online and visit us to become familiar with application process, meet current students, faculty and staff, and attend classes.

For more information please call (073) 888 235 or write to Jenny Pendeva (jenny@aubg.bg)

Register for the event here!

On 15 January 2008 AUBG welcomed 52 Bulgarian and international students - 40 of them will start as first-year students and the rest 12 of them are coming from other universities on exchange  programs. This semester the international students are from: Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, Moldova, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Russia and USA.

The world-famous scientist of Bulgarian origin Carl Djerassi, chemistry professor and developer of the first means of oral contraception visited the American University in Bulgaria on November 8, 2007. He arrived in Bulgaria following an invitation by AUBG President Dr. David Huwiler. The Red room turned out to be too small to host all the students, faculty and administration members who wanted to attend Prof. Djerassi's lecture “Sex and Reproduction – Ready for Divorce?”

The London Times has declared the famous scientist as one of the 30 greatest people of the past millennium, alongside geniuses such as Shakespeare, Newton, Darwin, Einstein and Copernicus. He is the only one among those 30 who has walked into the third millennium. In the USA he is popularly known as “the Father of the Pill”. The pill triggers the beginning of the modern sexual revolution and of family planning. It is the first drug elected to the USA Inventors Hall of Fame. Professor Djerassi is also one of the few scientists in USA who have won both the National Medal in Science and the National Medal in Technology.

Professor Djerassi is an honorary member of the Bulgarian Academy of Science, as well as of 15 other academies and universities, some of which are: the Royal Swedish Academy of Science, the German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina and the Mexican and Brazilian Academies of Sciences. He is an honorary member of the Royal Society of Chemistry in London and the American Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences. He has been awarded 16 honorary degrees.

The British Medical Journal has nominated Carl Djerassi’s invention for the title of greatest medical breakthrough since 1840. The vote was initiated this month, and the results will be announced on January 18, 2008, in London.

The first Bulgarian youth delegation to the United Nations was initiated by an AUBG student. Boryana Atanasova, majoring European Studies and Business Administration at AUBG, presented Bulgaria in the UN. For the first time the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has included youth representatives in the Bulgarian delegation to the United Nations General Assembly. Boryana took participation at the sessions of the General Assembly’s Third Committee on Social, Cultural, and Humanitarian questions from 8 to 13 October, during which global youth problems were discussed.

The number of students who have chosen AUBG for the start of their professional and personal development exceeded 1,100. 12 new professors joined the faculty. The university campus expands as well so that the students can have the best possible conditions for studying and recreation.

All this calls for a celebration which will draw together students, professors, and administrators, to celebrate the beginning of a year of high expectations. The picnic, which has become traditional for AUBG, will take place at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, at the baseball field in Bachinovo. During it, the AUBG President will welcome all and cut the cake which every year symbolizes the beginning of the academic year.

This year the AUBG Library staff have a double reason to celebrate. On the one hand, this will be the library’s fifteenth anniversary; on the other, ground will be broken for the construction of a new library building, which will join the two residence halls and the academic building which was opened in Skaptopara in May 2007 . Step by step, the university proceeds with the implementation of its plan to construct a modern and well-equipped university campus.

The new library building will consist of a reading hall, an information and check-out desk, two group session rooms, and an information technology office which will serve the needs of the library. The library has an extended built-up area of 2,100 sq.m. The construction of the project is assigned to Consortium of AUBG-2006, which consists of three leading local construction companies: “Monolithstroy - Chorbadjiiski Baikushev”, RASTER IUG, and STILKOMPLEKS; the architectural design was executed by Arch. Dimcho Tilev, who also designed AUBG’s new academic building.

New president, Dr. David Huwiler, an outstanding academic leader who has worked in higher education since 1970, takes office officially tomorrow, August 6.

Dr. Huwiler replaces Dr. W. Michael Easton who announced his intention to retire from his post in January 2007. The AUBG Board of Trustees accepted President Easton’s request with deep appreciation for his superb service to the University.

The new AUBG president was elected at the regular Board meeting in Blagoevgrad on 12 May 2007. The appointment concluded a search launched at the beginning of 2007, involving far-reaching consultation with faculty, students, staff and alumni.

"David Huwiler has an outstanding background combining experience in U.S higher education and leadership in American Universities abroad that well qualify him to take on the leadership of AUBG.  We look forward to a continuation of the progress we have made in the last few years in academic leadership, not only in Bulgaria, but for the entire region, under Dr. Huwiler's administration," said AUBG Board Chair Mr. David Flanagan.
 
Mr. Andrey Delchev, Deputy Chair of the AUBG Board of Trustees, added that he believes Dr. Huwiler will work cooperatively in Bulgaria and the region based on his successful leadership as a president of two international universities in addition to his significant academic experience in the U.S.

Dr. David Huwiler has an impressive career in leadership positions in American and international education.

In 2004 he was elected the founding president of the American University in Nigeria (AAUN) where he made possible the design and completion of the university campus, academic and recruitment structure, and overall planning. 

Prior to his AAUN presidency, Dr. Huwiler served as the first board-selected president of the American University of Central Asia, vice president for academic affairs at Champlain College, and chair of the Division of Humanities at Pikeville College. He taught a full range of graduate and undergraduate-level courses in his academic field of linguistics, language, and literature at Pikeville College.
His additional accomplishments as a higher education administrator include successful fundraising and endowment building in support of institutional development, participating on a number of NEASC site visit accreditation teams, and setting up partnerships and training opportunities with major U.S. corporations. Dr. Huwiler’s international experience includes advising responsibilities on education in Nigeria, Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine, and Russia.

The Thirteenth Commencement Ceremony of the American University in Bulgaria for the graduating class of 2007 will take place at 12:00 on Sunday, May 13, 2007.
205 students from 17 countries will receive their diplomas. 18 students from the Fourth EMBA Class will also receive their degrees at the ceremony. The Commissioner for Consumer Protection in the European Commission Ms. Meglena Kuneva, will be this year’s honorary guest speaker.

Eight students from the American University in Bulgaria will represent the country at the 16th session of the Harvard World Model United Nations.

This year’s edition of the World Model United Nations (WorldMUN) will take place in the city of Geneva, Switzerland, a home of many international organizations. The event will open on the 26 March and will end on the 30 March 2007. 1,500 students from over 35 countries will participate in the conference considered to be the largest outside USA.

The WorldMUN (www.worldmun.org) is a five-day simulation of 19 different United Nation’s committees. Each delegation is assigned a country and must debate topics from their country perspective. The main objective of the conference is to produce a UN-style resolution, addressing the issues discussed over the week.

Students Raya Mantovska, Martin Tsekov, Margita Madjarova, Nikolay Mihailov, Ivan Evstatiev, Yana Andreeva, Nikolay Stoyanov, and Tsvetelina Gelemerova will have the chance to experience what it is like to be part of the decision making process of renowned organizations like the World Health Organization and World Trade Organization. The AUBG team will debate on topics concerning the country assigned to them – Cyprus.

Led by “veterans” Raya Manotvska, Yana Andreeva and Margita Madjarova who participated in the last edition of WorldMUN in Beijing, China, the AUBG delegation is determined to top their own expectations and show excellent communication, negotiation, and public speaking skills.

“Our preparation is definitely a lot better than last year’s and we are confident that the huge effort that we put into preparation will compensate well,” the head delegate Raya Mantovska said. She added that being at the WorldMUN is a good opportunity to promote the University to the large international student community at the forum.

The third business seminar organized by the Business Department at AUBG will take place on March 23 2007, Friday, at the AUBG Elieff Center for Education and Culture in Sofia.

The seminar will once again bring distinguished speakers from the business world that will share their professional experience with the AUBG students. The lecturers are senior and middle-level managers and consultants from large Bulgarian and international companies and agencies.

The topics are selected from different areas of business practices and are related to the most important opportunities, challenges and problems the businesses encounter in a transition economy. The seminar provides a unique opportunity for the students to relate their theoretical knowledge to the best business practices.

After the lectures the students will have the chance to meet with AUBG graduates employed in companies such as: KPMG, Deloitte - Bulgaria, Price Waterhouse Coopers, etc.

President W. Michael Easton announced his plans to retire from his post in the summer of 2007, ten months earlier than planned, because of family health issues. The news came from the regular January meeting of the Board of Trustees of the American University in Bulgaria, held in Washington. With deep appreciation for his outstanding service to the University, the trustees granted President Easton’s request.

            After announcing his plans, President Easton said that he is proud of what has been accomplished at AUBG since he was elected president in May 2005.  “It has been a genuine team effort.  I am fortunate to have a splendid group of faculty and administrators on campus, a fine student body and an extremely supportive Board.  I had hoped to spend one more year at AUBG but continuing family health issues require me to return to the United States and be with my family.  I believe I have achieved what I set out to do.  The University is in strong shape as it embarks on its next, exciting phase of growth and the continued achievement of academic excellence,” he said.

            AUBG Board Chair David T. Flanagan said, “Leadership makes all the difference. Mike Easton and his team have done an extraordinary job for us and have exceeded all of our expectations.  While we all shall miss Mike, we fully understand his reasons for returning to the U.S., and we wish him and his family well. Mike will leave AUBG in remarkably strong shape, the best it has ever been in its history.  Our finances are sound, our student body is gifted and our faculty and resources are excellent.  We are entering a new phase in our growth with the construction of new campus facilities in Skaptopara.  We are grateful to Mike for his effective leadership in making these developments possible.

            “The transition to new leadership should be seamless. Both Provost Ann Ferren and Vice President Alex Alexandrov remain committed to AUBG and will bring their wisdom and experience to assure smooth operations at the University and a successful transition as we elect a new president,” Flanagan added.

            The AUBG Board has formed a Presidential Search Committee and will retain a professional executive search firm specializing in senior academic positions to assist it.  The Search Committee will actively seek out the best-qualified candidates from the U.S. and Europe. President Easton said the Committee will present a recommendation for a new president by the end of this academic year.

AUBG’s Diversity Team and Phi Beta Delta AUBG Chapter invite all students, faculty and staff to the events of the Seventh Annual International Week that will take place 5 - 10 February 2007.

International week’s program of events: here

The AUBG Alumni Association (AAA) announced the official results from the vote for the three director at large positions at AAA. The elections took place between 7 and 13 December 2006.

The winners in the elections are:

Marin Cebotari (Class of 2001)

Alexandru Manus (Class of 2002)
Maria Alexandrova (Class of 2003)

The Jury which evaluated the applications consisted of renowned Bulgarian and international experts working in the sphere of Web design and development, Internet advertising, and marketing. AUBG successfully competed against nine other web sites of educational institutions among which are the New Bulgarian University, the University of World and National Economy, D.Tsenov Academy of Economics - Svishtov, Technical University of Sofia - Plovdiv Branch, etc. The Educational Organizations category attracted the second highest number of competitors, as well as media and government officials attention.

The overall grade shows that according to the classification the top three Universities in the country are the American University in Bulgaria, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” and the University of National and World Economy. It was commented that some of the AUBG rates are due to the fact that AUBG attracts a large number of international students and that many of the graduates are employed outside of the country. These three Universities have distinctively higher ranking than the rest and the difference between their grades is minimal. The conclusion of the ranking was that these three Universities can be considered the leading ones in the country from the viewpoint of businesses.

It is with greatest pleasure for us to announce and welcome you to the second in AUBG's history Alumni Reunion of Anniversary classes of 1996, 2001 and the graduating class of 2006. This year's Anniversary Reunion will take place during the weekend of May 19th-21st 2006, at the AUBG campus. All guests will be accommodated at the Skaptopara Residence Halls.

The AUBG Admissions Office is organizing an AUBG Evening in Sofia on Friday, March 17, 2006.  The event will start at 7:00 pm, and will take place in the Auditorium of the Elieff Center (located next to Hristo Botev Hall in Studentski Grad, Sofia).  Prospective students, who come, will have the chance to hear essential information about the University and the application process, as well as meet current students, professors, and alumni.

For more information and registration, please click here.

The AUBG Admissions Office is organizing an AUBG Evening in Sofia on Wednesday, December 14, 2005.  The event will start at 7:00 pm, and will take place in the Auditorium of the Elieff Center (located next to Hristo Botev Hall in Studentski Grad, Sofia).  Prospective students, who come, will have the chance to hear essential information about the University and the application process, as well as meet current students, professors, and alumni.

For more information and registration, please click here.

U.S. Ambassador to Bulgaria John Beyrle visited AUBG on Wednesday, Nov. 16. Beyrle and his wife Jocelyn Greene had a tour around of Skaptopara Residence Halls, had a meeting with President Easton, and walked around the main building with Easton, Provost Ferren and student ambassadors. Afterwards, Beyrle attended Political Science “Foreign Policy Analysis” class. The students and Beyrle discussed the difference between decisions and outcomes, and between social and electoral polling. Beyrle answered questions about the relevance of information from the nongovernmental and media sectors with regard to decision-making, and about Bulgaria’s accession to the European Union. “We need Bulgaria stronger and prosperous,” Beyrle said, emphasizing the importance of the country’s strategic geopolitical location.
 
From 6 to 7 p.m. Beyrle had an open meeting with the AUBG community. The Red room turned too narrow to host all the students, faculty and administration members, willing to attend the event. “What I see here… is people who are passionate and committed about what they do,” Beyrle pointed in his opening comments. “There is tremendous energy in this institution that speaks of a high level of commitment” he added. Beyrle assured the AUBG com