On May 29, 2025, the XIX International Scientific Traveling Seminar “Modern Dimensions of the European Educational and Scientific Space“, organized by the University of Library Science and Information Technologies (UniBIT), was held in the picturesque Turkish city of Ayvalık.
The event brought together scientists, researchers and representatives of the academic and diplomatic community from Bulgaria, Germany and Turkey to exchange ideas and good practices in the fields of science, education, cultural heritage, digital technologies and security.
The seminar was officially opened in the conference hall of the MUSHO Hotel. The moderator of the opening ceremony was Prof. Stoyan Denchev, who is also the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the higher education institution.
The participants were welcomed by the Rector of UniBIT – Prof. Irena Peteva, who emphasized the importance of inter-institutional and international cooperation, sharing “For the nineteenth year, UniBIT has traditionally gathered leading scientists and young researchers within the framework of this unique traveling seminar. We build bridges between science, education and culture, and prove that academic mobility and shared experience are drivers of innovation. Thank you to all participants for the trust and inspiration you bring with you!“
Official greetings to the organizers and participants of the seminar were read on behalf of: Mr. Rumen Radev – President of the Republic of Bulgaria, Mr. Krasimir Valchev – Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Bulgaria, Mr. Ivan Peshev – Minister of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Bulgaria.
The Forum also received solid support and recognition from H.E. Mr. Angel Cholakov – Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria to the Republic of Turkey, Ms. Radoslava Kafedjiyska – Consul General of the Republic of Bulgaria in the city of Edirne. The address of H.E. Mehmet Sait Uyanık – Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to the Republic of Bulgaria was particularly impressive. In his message, he emphasized the strategic role of UniBIT in promoting bilateral cooperation: “UniBIT is the university that has been playing an important, supportive role in building bridges between our two countries – in education, science and culture. With their efforts, the academic staff of the university contributes to the strengthening of the partnership between the Republic of Bulgaria and the Republic of Turkey not only at the institutional, but also at a purely human level.“
Within the framework of the scientific program, a plenary session and four sections were held, dedicated to library science and knowledge management, cultural and historical heritage, information technologies, and global and national security.
The focus of the reports were topics such as artificial intelligence in libraries, digital humanities, contemporary challenges in diplomacy and education, as well as the preservation of cultural identity in the digital age.
The afternoon program included a training seminar dedicated to the use of generative artificial intelligence in scientific research – a topic of exceptional relevance for the contemporary community on a global scale.
The seminar ended with an official ceremony of awarding certificates to the participants, followed by numerous discussions and fruitful conversations at the epicenter of which was the scientific event, which has established itself as a tradition, a symbol of sustainable development and the European scientific connectivity of UniBIT with the world.