Traditional knowledge, international cooperation, innovation and freedom in education were among the key themes highlighted by Varna University of Management (VUM) during the sixth edition of the International Education Forum “Education of the Future”.
On 24 and 25 September 2026, Varna hosted the sixth edition of the International Education Forum, organised by the Municipality of Varna. This year’s forum, dedicated to the theme “Education of the Future”, brought together more than 400 representatives of educational institutions, teaching professionals, experts, public institutions, businesses and non-governmental organisations.
Varna University of Management was actively represented throughout both days of the forum. Among the official guests was Assoc. Prof. Dr Todor Radev, President of VUM, who took part in discussions focusing on the challenges and opportunities facing contemporary education.
Two international initiatives involving VUM were also presented during the forum, demonstrating how education can build connections between generations, institutions and countries.
The BIOSUSTAIN project, funded by the Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin Programme, was presented by Ms Tamar Kiknadze and Ms Mariam Dvalishvili from the Georgian Arts and Culture Center, the project’s lead partner. The presentation focused on the importance of traditional knowledge and the need to preserve it and pass it on to future generations. Among the approaches presented were so-called “experimentariums” – practical formats through which traditional knowledge and skills can be transformed into engaging experiences and educational tools.
VUM is one of the project partners and is currently involved in implementing such initiatives, aimed at creating new opportunities for interaction between education, cultural heritage and local communities.
Another international project involving VUM, DIALOGUE, also funded by the Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin Programme, was presented by Demet Esra Köse from the Çorlu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Türkiye. The presentation highlighted the importance of active cooperation between higher education institutions, public authorities, businesses and non-governmental organisations as a foundation for creating meaningful innovation and sustainable solutions.
In this context, DialogueInnoHub, a Black Sea innovation platform in which VUM participates, was also presented. The platform creates opportunities for organisations and experts from across the region to connect, collaborate and develop new international initiatives and partnerships.
VUM’s participation in the forum continued on the second day with a presentation by Prof. Dr Stanislav Ivanov, VUM lecturer. Prof. Ivanov, recipient of the 2025 Varna Award for Social Sciences and the national Pythagoras Award for contribution to the Social Sciences and Humanities, presented the topic “Education and Freedom”.
The presentation explored one of the fundamental functions of education – not simply to transmit knowledge, but to create an environment that encourages independent thinking, personal development and the ability to make informed decisions.
For VUM, participation in the forum was another opportunity to present its vision of education as a space for international cooperation, innovation, critical thinking and engagement with the real needs of society.
The “Education of the Future” forum demonstrated that the future of education is shaped not only in classrooms and lecture halls, but also through active dialogue between universities, schools, public institutions, businesses and civil society organisations.
It is through this dialogue that VUM continues to play an active role as a partner – both in Varna and Bulgaria and within the wider international education and innovation community.
