For the first time, AUBG students visited the Discoverer+ supercomputer, part of Sofia Tech Park, along with the office and labs of Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) in Sofia. This marked the start of a joint initiative bringing together academia and key players in Bulgaria’s high-tech ecosystem, including Sofia Tech Park and the Bulgarian AI Factory BRAIN++.
“Our role as a university is not simply to introduce students to artificial intelligence (AI), but to develop their critical thinking so they can use these technologies responsibly,” said Soowhan (Jack) Yoon, Professor of Mathematics at AUBG, who led the student group.
The initiative aims to provide a space for future talents in fields such as Computer Science, Mathematics, and Physics to develop and to find a practical outlet for building sustainable and meaningful careers in the area of high-tech innovations.
“When we combine the deep academic knowledge we teach at university with real-world applications, we prepare a new generation of specialists who can drive innovation,” Prof. Yoon added.
Seeing firsthand Bulgaria’s innovation infrastructure
The day began at Sofia Tech Park, where students visited the Discoverer+ supercomputing center – one of the most powerful high-performance computing systems in the region.
Guided by Prof. Simeon Stoyanov, Project Manager of the Bulgarian AI Factory BRAIN++, students saw the immense potential of such technologies. They were introduced to the technical capabilities of the machine, the technology behind it, and its wide-ranging applications – from business optimization to scientific research and public sector innovation.
“The opportunity to see the supercomputer, the labs, and meet the teams at HPE helps us better understand how the industry works,” said Aleksandra Mehandzhiyska, an AUBG student.
“It gives real context to what we learn in university and makes the transition to the professional world much smoother. Opportunities like this are extremely valuable for us,” she added.
Learning about becoming innovation drivers
Students also learned how they can benefit from the next-level infrastructure at Sofia Tech Park and the Bulgarian AI Factory BRAIN++. From project proposals and research to start-up incubators, there are ample opportunities for young talent to contribute to the field and build something new and exciting.
This joint initiative contributes to broader European efforts to accelerate research and industrial development in AI and high-performance computing (HPC). Prof. Stoyanov emphasized the importance of strategically building and strengthening Europe’s capacity in these areas, noting that technologies like AI, big data, and HPC will define future competitiveness.
As part of the program, Elitsa Mollov, Director of “Incubation” at Sofia Tech Park, introduced students to the South East European Innovators Program (SEEIP), which enables innovative start-ups and entrepreneurial ideas.
“The program is designed to support companies throughout their entire journey. We help them turn their ideas into knowledge and products, to develop business strategies, to secure investments, as well as opportunities for growth,” Mollov explained.
SEEIP offers mentorship and trainings, as well as access to Sofia Tech Labs, where students can prototype and test their products and solutions. The program is open for online applications all-year-round.
Mollov also shared examples of successful companies using Sofia Tech Park’s ecosystem, including Enthela – a start-up founded and led by AUBG alumni. “The next success story could be yours,” she told the students.
Discovering a World of Opportunities in Tech
In the afternoon, the program continued at the HPE office in Business Park Sofia, where students met with consultants from the Global Competency Center Sofia Platform & AI. The experts introduced students to cutting-edge AI platforms and the concept of “AI factories,” precisely how they are built, how they function, and how they are applied in real-world contexts.
HPE is a global technology leader and one of the largest IT employers and investors in Bulgaria for more than 30 years. “Bulgaria has strong potential to be a key player in the AI solutions development, and such initiatives are an important step in building the next generation of specialists,” said Maria Kosanova, Managing Director of HPE, operated by Selectium, for Bulgaria and Serbia.
“To realize this potential, it is important to create more opportunities that connect education with real-world technological practice,” Kosanova added.
The HPE experts also shared practical use cases, demonstrating how AI technologies are already transforming both business and society. For students in STEM fields such as Mathematics and Computer Science, these examples highlight the wide range of meaningful career paths available—where analytical thinking and technical skills translate directly into real-world impact.
“For us at HPE, investing in young talent and connecting education with real-world practice is a strategic priority,” said Todor Zhekov (EMBA ’11), Managing Director of HPE Global Delivery Bulgaria Center. “We are glad to open our doors and show students how AI innovations become real solutions with global impact.”
The visit concluded with a tour of HPE’s labs, offering students a behind-the-scenes look at how modern technological solutions are developed and tested.
