With a symbolic “first groundbreaking” on “Acad. G. Bonchev” Str., which is about to be renovated, in front of Block 29, the foundations of the Laboratory Complex at the “Geo Milev” Campus were laid.

The event was attended by Mr. Atanas Pekanov – caretaker Deputy Prime Minister for EU funds management, Prof. Sasho Penov – caretaker Minister of Education and Science, Prof. Julian Revalski, Full Member of BAS – President of the Academy, Ms. Agnes Monfret – Head of Unit DG Regional and Urban Policy at the European Commission, Ms. Elizabet Kirkorova – Expert at DG Regional and Urban Policy, European Commission, Mr. Ivan Popov – Deputy Head of Executive Agency “Programme Education”, Mr. Georgi Iliev – Mayor of Slatina district, members of the Team for organisation and management of the project “National Center for Mechatronics and Clean Technologies”, directors and scientists from the institutes of BAS, participating in the structure of the Geo Milev campus and guests.

The ceremony was opened by Acad. Konstantin Hadjiivanov who said that when they were preparing the project “National Center for Mechatronics and Clean Technologies”, the participants were doing it with the consciousness that a center of excellence would be built for future generations.

Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Atanas Pekanov praised the importance of science for the successful development of a country. The establishment of such centres through European funding with their modern research structure ensure Bulgaria’s progress. He described the project as “a strong investment for a better Bulgaria” and said that it is with competitive science that the country becomes innovative.

Prof. Sasho Penov, Caretaker Minister of Science and Education, said that Bulgaria has scientists who have the capacity to develop not only Bulgarian national science but also to be worthy participants in the world science. He added that when a modern material environment is provided, Bulgarian scientists will be able to prove their potential.

Bulgarian Academy of Sciences President Prof. Julian Revalski expressed his satisfaction with the fact that in the largest project under the Operational Programme “Science and Education for Smart Growth” not only in terms of budget, but also in terms of capacity and concentration of scientific potential, 12 scientific units of the Academy participate. “It is hard work but a project like this attracts young colleagues in modern laboratories,” he said.

In her speech, Ms Agnes Monfret stressed that when we work together, we go further, albeit more slowly. This centre, which involves 17 scientific organisations and is being built now, is unique. It creates conditions for work that reverse the brain drain from the country and promote its prosperity.

Greetings and wishes for success to the participants in the construction of the Geo Milev Campus were offered by Mr. Ivan Popov, who said that the Executive Agency “Programme Education” is making efforts to support the effective implementation of the tasks undertaken at each stage of the project; the Mayor of the Slatina District, Mr. Georgi Iliev, for whom the construction of such a structure is not only a great achievement for Bulgarian science but also shows the good cooperation between the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and Sofia Municipality – Slatina District and Eng. Nina Stoyanova, manager of the “Kalistratov Group” construction company who expressed confidence in the quality and timely execution of the project.

After the congratulations Mr. Atanas Pekanov, Prof. Sasho Penov, Prof. Julian Revalski, Mrs. Agnes Monfret, Acad. Konstantin Hadjiivanov, Prof. Plamen Stefanov, Mr. Ivan Popov, Mr. Georgi Iliev and Eng. Nina Stoyanova symbolically made the first groundbreaking of the new Laboratory Complex in the “Geo Milev” Campus.

Three research complexes are being built under the project “National Center for Mechatronics and Clean Technologies”: the campus “Studentski grad” – at the Technical University which was opened in 2022, the “Lozenets” Campus, uniting the Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy and the Faculty of Physics of Sofia University and the “Geo Milev” Campus which is located on the territory of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences – IV kilometer.

The structure of the Geo Milev Campus is a union of 12 scientific units of BAS. The total value of the investment for infrastructure in this research complex is BGN 24 million, of which BGN 5 million are for construction and installation works and the remaining BGN 19 million for the supply of new scientific equipment.

The programme for the establishment of the “Geo Milev” Campus provides for the major renovation of Block 29 of Geo Milev Str. “Acad. G. Bonchev” and the construction of a total of 30 specific laboratories, including 20 newly built and 10 modernized, which will provide opportunities for conducting high-quality scientific research in accordance with the best standards and practices.

The renovated Block 29 with an area of 1 800 sqm will house 12 of the complex’s laboratories with offices attached to them, common infrastructure units, a hall servicing the entire centre, and an office for contacts with business organisations. The new laboratories will house the advanced equipment already supplied by world-leading manufacturers which will be used not only by the institutes of BAS but also by the partner universities of the Centre of Excellence. The remaining laboratories of the “Geo Milev” Campus are located in the existing buildings of the scientific units of the Academy participating in the “National Centre for Mechatronics and Clean Technologies” project.

It is expected that the complex equipment in the campus will contribute to a significant increase in the level of fundamental research in the field of mechatronics and clean technologies and to the solution of important tasks for industry. The results obtained will also have a significant impact on the competitiveness of Bulgarian industry in important areas such as mechanics, electronics, control systems, electromobility and will therefore contribute to a faster transition to a green, energy-efficient and circular economy.