E8: Plovdiv University "Paisii Hilendarski"

Plovdiv is the second largest city in Bulgaria and the largest administrative, economic, cultural and scientific center in Southern Bulgaria. It was founded in the 2 nd millennium BC as a Thracian settlement, and has centuries-old cultural and archaeological heritage. The city which is much older than Athens or Rome, treasures its architectural artifacts located in its Old Town. The unique Renaissance atmosphere of Old Plovdiv charms visitors to the city, and the seven hills on which this part of the city is situated have their own special charisma.

Plovdiv University , named in honor of the Bulgarian historian Paisiy Hilendarski, is the city’s leading cultural and scientific institution. It is the largest institution of higher education in Southern Bulgaria, and the second largest Bulgarian university, after St. Kliment Ohridski  University of Sofia. The year 2001 marks the university’s fortieth anniversary. 

The University of Plovdiv is built on the foundation laid by the Higher Teacher-Training Institute of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, which opened in July 1961. The Institute was promoted to university status by government decree on 12 January 1972, when it took its present name “Paisiy Hilendarski” Plovdiv University.

In 1973, it became the first higher institution in Plovdiv to offer language and literature studies, offering the B.A. degreee in Bulgarian Language and Literature and Russian Language and Literature. Soon after, a program in Slavonic Languages and Literature (with Specialization in Czech Language and Literature) was added. A degree in Education was offered for the first time in 1984, Law degree programs were introduced in 1992, and Economics degree programs were launched in 1994. Today the University of Plovdiv is a true university by international standarts, since it provi des training to students in the four major fields of higher education: natural sciences, humanities, social sciences, and economics. “ Paisiy Hilendarski” Plovdiv University has been institutionally accredited by National Certification and Accreditation Board (Protocol No. 1 of 15 February 2001). Over 7,500 full-time and 5,000 part-time students are enrolled in the programs and courses by the university’s eight faculties. The full-time teaching staff consists of 34 Full Professors, 167 Associate Professors and 360 Assistant Professors.