Questions and Answers

General questions

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• What is the background of the Institute for Sustainable Transition and Development?

  The adoption of Decree №54 on February 18, 2021 is necessary to meet the need for provision of conditions for more efficient and effective performance of activities by Trakia University-Stara Zagora with respect to fundamental and applied research in the scientific areas that are priority for the state and the university. By a decision of the Academic Council of the higher school on 25.11.2020 it was suggested to open the main unit, Institute for Sustainable Transition and Development. It is foreseen that the ISTD shall realize research in the field of new industrial technologies, biotechnologies, energy systems and security of supplies, digitalization and smart networks in urban environment, mining, agriculture and forestry, electric cars. The research teams shall work on projects from national and international scientific programmes, shall make prognoses and strategies for the development of the regional and national economy.

• What is the general motivation for establishing the Institute for Sustainable Transition and Development?

  The Institute for Sustainable Transition and Development is expected to perform research in the area of new industrial technologies, biotechnologies, energy systems, and security of supplies, digitalization and smart networks in urban environment, mining, agriculture and forestry, electric cars.

• What are the main sectorial directions of the Institute for Sustainable Transition and Development?

  The Institute unites the work of research groups into three sectors: “Economic Analyses and Projects”, “Agriculture and Biotechnologies”, “Mining and Energy Systems” in order to participate in national and international projects and programmes, implementation of consulting projects and the created scientific results.

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Main goals and expected results

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• What are our aims?

  Institute for Sustainable Transition and Development performs theoretical, experimental and applies research in the field of natural, engineering and social sciences, directed to the creation of new knowledge or applied science products, including services and public-private partnerships, as well as to development of guidelines for university education at bachelor, masters and doctoral level. The main aim of the Institute is to contribute to the transformation of the agricultural model in the regions affected by the energy transition, as well as to meeting the goals for low carbon and carbon-neutral economy at a regional and national level.

• How shall we fulfill our potential?

  The activity of the Institute is related to providing coordination and participation on the initiatives directed to the development of regions in low-carbon transition, including collaboration with all stakeholders, analytical and consulting activity, project work, implementation of pilot programmes, educational activity, as well as actions for communication and distribution of results.

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Cooperation

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• Who are our partners and established contacts?

  The Institute for Sustainable Transition and Development as a main research unit within the structure of Trakia University – Stara Zagora acts in partnership with other higher schools, the municipal authorities, national representative organizations of employers and workers and employees, external independent experts, small and middle-sized enterprises, businesses, companies, state administrations.

• Who are our target groups?

  The Institute for Sustainable Transition and Development performs functions for the benefit of society and citizens that assist the implementation of governmental polices related to improving the quality of research and development activity in the area of new industrial technologies, biotechnologies, energy systems, and security of supplies, digitalization and smart networks in urban environment, mining, agriculture and forestry, electric cars.

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