A report on the management of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences for the period from 2016 to 2024 was made today before the General Assembly of BAS by the President, Prof. Julian Revalski, Member of the Academy. The second term of office of Prof. Revalski is expiring on 7 December.
The regaining and strengthening of the Academy’s prestige in the eyes of society and institutions, the increase in scientific output and patents as well as the tripling of the BAS budget are among the most important achievements in the two terms of Prof. Revalski. In his presentation, the President pointed to the regular attestation of scientists at the Academy, the introduction of a competitive process for the academic position of assistant professor and the establishment at the national level of the status of postdoctoral fellows as successful practices. He stressed that on his initiative BAS has developed a National Strategy for the Development of Artificial Intelligence in Bulgaria until 2030 and recalled that there were two supercomputers in the Academy – Avitohol and Hemus.
The project-based youth programmes have allowed many young people to participate and qualify as scientists, Prof. Julian Revalski said. Among his successes, he pointed to the two national programmes “PETAR BERON i NIE” and “VIHREN”. Thanks to these programmes, for which I pleaded with the government, proven scientists from abroad have returned to the country, and many of our distinguished researchers are doing science at a high level, he said.
Renovation of part of the building stock of the Academy and new infrastructure projects were reported by the President to the General Assembly. The central building was renovated on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the Academy in 2019. Under the National Recovery and Resilience Facility, two buildings are to be renovated and energy efficiency measures will be implemented in 12 others. Projects have been initiated for the construction of an information and conference centre and the renovation of the park at the BAS Science Complex 1.
We have held four editions of the Science for Business initiative and maintain a register of developments that have the potential to be implemented in industry, the BAS President said.
Among his more important initiatives in the past two terms, Prof. Julian Revalski pointed to the restoration of the Award for Journalists, the establishment of the Prize for Correct and Rich Bulgarian Speech in journalism and the establishment of the Grand Prize for Science.
During the two terms, three elections were held for new members of the Assembly of Academicians and Corresponding Members. Twenty-eight academicians and 51 corresponding members were elected, said Prof. Revalski and added that on his initiative the election of corresponding members up to the age of 50 was introduced.
The President wished the future leadership of the Academy to continue the projects already started and thanked the General Assembly for the good cooperation during his management.
