From minus BGN 800 thousand to plus 4 million: How a university came out of practical bankruptcy

Where are the first two now, two years after the end of their restrictions, the first of which (MSU) received an additional BGN 640 thousand and the second – 1.2 million? To answer this question, Dnevnik sought their guides in the face of the Rectors of MSU, Prof. Ivaylo Koprev, who presented detailed information, and at the CA during the program Prof. Mariana Bozhinova and to her current rector Prof. Marin Marinov and awaits their answers.

St. Ivan Rilski University of Mining and Geology

The measures in the MSU program were listed for 2021-2023 and included: retirement of all teachers of 65 and staff; shortening of states in the administration; suspension of additional remuneration; reduction of electricity consumption, steam and fuels of business cars; Restriction of business trips abroad; unification of departments; Closure of the Humanitarian Department.

With regard to scienceometry, it was required: the separation of 25% of the funds for scientific or artistic activity to pay publications of teachers in magazines with a high impact factor; Creating a Young Scientists Fund; development of multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary fundamental and applied studies and promotion of their results; expansion and deepening of scientific contacts with our and foreign universities; Creating active networks of shared resources between related units at universities in Europe and the world; Attracting foreign students and doctoral students.

From minus 800 thousand per plus BGN 4 million

“Five years ago, when I became rector (December 13, 2019), MSU was bankrupt – minus BGN 800 thousand, and now it is plus 4 million thanks to learning activity, « said Prof. Koprev.

The Minister of Education Krasimir Valchev has called on the Rectors Council of Rectors on March 21, urged the rectors to choose the difficult higher education. « We have no choice if we want to continue to exist and continue to sell our students all over the world, » he adds, and gives an example. For example, he met his PhD student in Brisbane, Australia in the world’s third largest mining company. Another preferred MSU in front of the Royal College in London for his doctoral student and is already a doctor. With regard to the implementation, the Rector says that « 25% of the graduates are graduated from the first defense, but they have a 100% realization. »

Optimization

Within the framework of the healing program, 80 teachers were retired. « Then we had 1200 students and 320 teachers plus 300 staff. Today, the students are 1400, the teachers – 158, the employees – less than 90 people, including the cleaners. We follow the idea of ​​Europe for the engineering specialties – the ratio of teachers and students 1:10, 1: the average age of 49 years.

There is no union, there will be no

Responding to the question of how he fought with the internal resistance to the implementation of such measures, the Rector states: « There will be no union. No one protects them better than their rector, » and sets an example with the vacation to which teachers and staff are entitled.

« From December 20 to January 6, we are on vacation, whether or not they have paid leave, plus another 15 days. Do I need a work on a work from the lady who is titled » Professor « ? (Prof. Lilyana Valcheva, Chairman of the Union « Higher Education » at CITUB – Bel.A.) No, I’m not.

At the age of 24, I became the director of a mining company, on the second day they made me stacha because I stopped yogurt. On advice, I suggested that the strike leader go to sea and he accepted. On the fourth day I asked the strikers, « Do you know where your boss is? » They replied, « No. » « At sea. » The strike is over.

And as a balance, after the cuts, he points out that the financial result has helped the teachers’ salaries be increased by 38.2% per year.

In parallel with the battle of the university, another one, on the political « front », should have been led. It was at this time that former Minister of Education and former Prime Minister Acad. Nikolay Denkov launched the subsequently eliminated idea of ​​bringing together smaller higher education institutions into larger structures.

« The man with a small name » Academic « stood against small universities and demanded their unification, » recalls the rector, according to which « the shortest path to our depersonalization as a nation is to become common people. We are an element of national security. Imagine if we were at a mega university! ».

Tours of schools and partnerships in Europe

To get out of their unenviable position, the university attracts candidate students from school with the help of various initiatives. Through the Open Day, for example, the key companies in the mineral and raw industry in Bulgaria are presented to the students. There are also visits from MSU to schools throughout Bulgaria, to which they present the opportunities that their education gives.

« In 2023 we went to the most elite high schools and promoted ourselves. From 14 Ball for admission in 2022 in 2024 it became 18.5. We will most likely to introduce an entrance exam in mathematics from next yearS An engineer with a philosophy matriculation cannot be done, « says the rector.

The result of the policy: « Last year we had an 113% implementation of the admission plan. » For the academic 2025/2026, MSU requested 400 pieces for bachelor’s bachelors at 317 last year, 150 for masters and 30 for doctoral students. Whether the request will be satisfied is to be understood in the publication of the draft statement with the number of admission.

Separately, the three mining universities in Europe – in Germany, Austria and Bulgaria – have created an alliance, they are united in their educational programs, and their students study in each of the partnerships on one semester.

Very important and possible for the small high school is personal contact with students. Teachers must be accessible to them, be able to go and ask when something is not clear to them, the rector is convinced. That is why they changed the schedule. The classes are from Monday to Thursday, and Friday is a day for: « Professor, I didn’t understand, tell me in detail. » In other words, then each of the students can tap on our doors and request a consultation, the rector explains.

« There is a personal attitude. The teacher knows them by name. There is nowhere to hide, you are not one of many, » he concludes.

A wide base and programs near the business

« Our curricula are close to the business. The challenge was how not to please one business, which we were able to avoid through a very sustainable plan. In the first year, everyone learns mathematics, chemistry and physics, in the second – general mining disciplines and in the third and fourths they have been attacked. The first two years.

Now MSU offers 19 bachelor’s and 42 master’s programs. « The bachelor’s are super fundamental, master and doctoral – super focused, » explains Prof. Cooprev.

« We are trying to give the practical and applied side of problems. At Sofia University is the high science – chemistry, physics. We are the users, » he adds, but notes that he does not consider the additional funding for the so -called research universities in Bulgaria. « The University of Sofia receives a subsidy of BGN 10 million, and we are making applied science. We are planning nearly BGN 5 million from scientific research at a budget of BGN 12 million, » he says.

Projects: 88% are for the teacher, 12% – for the university

Another tool for raising funds to the university is projects. In this regard, MSU also established a trading company « MGU Engineering » Ltd., 100% owned by the university.

« Five years ago, I said that MGU is the brand. 88% of the project money is for the colleague who made it, the remaining 12% is for MSU because you » use the brand and the expertise. « So we increased the projects. So everyone earns their own revenue, » the rector said.

« Miss wet T -shirt MGU » while I am rector, there will be no « 

In the courtyard of the Sofia Higher School, which is named « St. Ivan Rilski », today there is a chapel « St. Ivan Rilski » – something that the rector has kept a lot of.

« The university is a spiritual center, » says Prof. Koprev, in whose office there is also an icon. « We are a small team, we have to help ourselves. We very much wanted to show the spiritual side. They must understand that they are a community. »

They raised the money to build the chapel for six months and for another year the temple was ready. He was illuminated on June 12, 2023, Metropolitan Polycarp Sofia. Now there is a Bible inside and anyone who wants can come in and read.

Separately, the Rector works with the students in this regard. « I forbade them parties in Student City. » Miss wet T -shirt MGU « while I am a rector, there will be no, » he said.

With regard to students, there were also the next two measures – an impressive budget for the Student Council and the extension of the library’s working hours. Before it closed at 5 pm, now – at 20.

At the board of trustees there is no: « Give me some money »

In the Board of the MSU are the four richest Bulgarians, whom I cannot bring together at one place at the same time, as a result of which Mrs. Koleva, the representative of the Ministry of Education and Science, is angry with me, this part of the story of the Rector Koprev begins.

The four are the chairman of the board of trustees Nikolay Valkanov, the owner of Minstroy Holding AD, Iliya Garkov, Chief Operations Officer of Dundee Precious Metals, Ivan Vutov, Executive Officer of Geotrading AD and Dimitar Tsotsorkov, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Assarel-Medet.

They are the university’s management board. « I feel subordinate and I go to them. Every policy is commented on in detail with them, » says Prof. Koprev, assuring that « they do not give me donations but projects to make money with. » « We’re equal partners. No: » Give me some money. « 

For example, it is planned to build solar stations that will reduce electricity bills – now between BGN 150 and 200 thousand per month.

Contracts with companies

The university also has contracts with its students’ internship companies, as well as scholarship programs for achievement, for success.

« It’s not educational to give just money, » the rector says. Two -month internships are provided at the respective company, after which human resources specialists call the student and discuss. Internships start from the first year to know the students early what is and what is not for them.

« All this is not for my term, and after three years to know what to do, » concludes Prof. Koprev. « At 52, I will go out of the position of Rector and I am not entitled to more mandates. If I am not honest, I will not be able to return as a teacher.