Memorandum of Cooperation Between IBS and ESC in Support of Education, the Economy, and the Future

The International Business School (IBS) and the Economic and Social Council of the Republic of Bulgaria (ESC) officially signed a Memorandum of Cooperation, marking the start of a strategic partnership in areas crucial for society. The document was signed by Mrs. Lena Gaydarska, President of IBS, and Mrs. Zornitsa Roussinova, Chairperson of ESC. The signing ceremony took place in the presence of Prof. Dr. Georgi Apostolov, Rector of IBS, members of the university’s leadership team, academic staff, and representatives from ESC.

With this Memorandum of Cooperation, the two institutions commit to joining forces in the fields of education, scientific research, and public policy formation. The main emphasis of the partnership will be on ensuring high-quality education for students and doctoral candidates, organizing joint initiatives and events, and developing analytical materials and expert opinions aimed at supporting the socio-economic development of Bulgaria.

Mrs. Lena Gaydarska expressed confidence that the partnership with the Economic and Social Council would provide valuable opportunities for IBS students and doctoral candidates to gain insight into real-world practices in the fields of public policy, economics, and governance. According to her, access to ESC’s expertise, analytical reports, and opinions would significantly enhance teaching in key disciplines, encourage critical thinking, and foster young people’s engagement with important societal issues. Mrs. Gaydarska emphasized that such collaboration between academic institutions and governmental bodies is crucial for developing well-prepared, responsible, and socially engaged professionals.

On her part, Mrs. Zornitsa Roussinova highlighted the importance of intergenerational dialogue and integrating young people’s voices into the ESC’s activities and policy-making processes that address the needs of society.

One of the key commitments outlined in the Memorandum is the promotion of high-quality and modern education. IBS and ESC will collaborate to organize public lectures, discussions, and other initiatives aimed at enriching the educational process and introducing young people to the real challenges of today’s economy and governance.

In this context, the Chair of the ESC emphasized the importance of integrating skills for working with artificial intelligence and improving digital literacy—priorities that naturally align with the academic programs offered at IBS.

The two institutions are also joining efforts to conduct joint research and analysis in the fields of economics, governance, and social policy—data that will support the development of well-informed decisions and official acts of the Council.

The ESC’s upcoming analysis, “The Age of Artificial Intelligence: Balancing Regulation, Economic Efficiency, and Social Justice,” which is set to be discussed at a Plenary Session, serves as a strong example of the Council’s expert contribution on issues of national importance.

The presence of a wide range of academic and expert representatives underscored the importance of the initiative and the clear commitment of IBS and ESC to building an inclusive, innovative, and sustainable environment for education and development. This new partnership reflects both institutions’ shared ambition to promote dialogue between the educational system and public institutions, with a focus on the pressing challenges of the labor market and the need for responsive policies in the era of digitalization and artificial intelligence.

The cooperation between IBS and ESC marks a significant step forward in establishing a sustainable connection between education, science, and public policy—a synergy that addresses the needs of the dynamic times we live in.