Plovdiv university "Paisii Hilendarski"

Plovdiv University "Paisii Hilendarski" is the largest higher school in Southern Bulgaria and the second largest in the country. It was founded in 1961 as the Higher Pedagogical Institute of Natural Sciences. It was declared a University in 1972. Over the years the University of Plovdiv has shaped itself as an educational, research and cultural institution with a European face and national importance, recognizable in the global world, distinguished by sustainable and dynamic development and competitive advantages in the field of natural sciences, mathematics and informatics, social, economic, legal, pedagogical and humanities sciences.

The University offers training in 103 specialties in nine faculties and two branches in Smolyan and Kardzhali: 

·          Faculty of Biological Sciences;

·          Faculty of Economic and Social Sciences;

·          Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics;

·          Faculty of Education; 

·          Faculty of Physics and Technology;

·          Faculty of Philology;

·          Faculty of Philosophy and History ;

·          Faculty of Chemical Sciences;

·          Faculty of Law.

During the academic year 2021/22, 13980 full-time and 5065 students are trained in part-time training at the University of Plovdiv. 

Following service units and departments are in support of educational and research activities of the university: Department "Scientific and Project Activities", Research Department, International Cooperation, Academic Staff Development and PhD students, University Center for Career Development, University Center for Work with Young Scientists, PhD students and postdoctoral students, "Technology Center", "University Information Center", "Office for Technological Development"  Department of Qualification and Professional Development of Pedagogical Specialists", "Department of Language and Specialized Training of Foreign Students".

The management of Plovdiv University "Paisii Hilendarski" shares the view that human resources are a key factor in the development of science and actively works to create the necessary conditions for assuring high qualifications of scientists. There are high criteria for the development of academic staff, tailored to the specific requirements for the respective professional direction and group of sciences, while at the same time smooth continuity is realized in the faculties through regular announcement of competitions for academic positions.

As of 2021, the research staff at basic employment contract with the University of Plovdiv are 622, of which 83 professors and 210 associate professors. During the year, 8 professors and 13 associate professors were habilited, two acquired a doctorate in science.

Special attention is paid to the training of PhD students. In 2021 seventy-eight new PhD students were assigned and 51 acquired the PhD degree.

In addition to the education and qualification of specialists with higher education, Plovdiv University is a center for modern science. The contribution of Plovdiv professors to science and research is recognized through hundreds of successfully defended doctoral dissertations and dozens of research projects with partners from the country and abroad.

Over the past two decades, research has been a focus of the work of the university.  Management and educators make continuous efforts to be aware of the role of scientists in solving important problems for regional development, national interests and the global community.  New specialties in natural sciences, mathematics and informatics, in professional fields - Physical Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Biological Sciences, Earth Sciences, Mathematics and Informatics and Computer Science are accredited.