On 24 April 2025, at the initiative of the Prof. Dr. Veleslav Gavriyski Foundation, the University of National and World Economy (UNWE) hosted a roundtable discussion on the challenges of professional training and staffing in the insurance and social security sectors, as well as on ways to stimulate young people’s interest in education and career orientation in these fields.
Participants included Prof. Dr. Tsvetana Stoyanova, Vice-Rector for Institutional and Business Cooperation and Student Policies at UNWE; Prof. Dr. N. Pavlov, Chair of the Board of the Prof. Dr. Veleslav Gavriyski Foundation; and Prof. Dr. Diana Ivanova, Secretary General of the Foundation. Representatives of the academic community directly engaged in insurance and social security education and research also took part: Assoc. Prof. Rumen Yerusalimov, Dean of the Faculty of Finance, and Assoc. Prof. Plamen Yordanov, Head of the Department of Insurance and Social Work at the D.A. Tsenov Academy of Economics in Svishtov; Assoc. Prof. Galya Dimitrova, Academic Secretary of the Department of Human Resources and Social Protection at UNWE; Assoc. Prof. Stoyan Kirov, Head of the Department of Finance at the University of Economics – Varna; and Prof. Dr. Stanislav Dimitrov, Head of the Department of Finance and Insurance at the Higher School of Insurance and Finance (VUZF).
The business sector was represented by the leadership of the professional associations: Nikolay Stanchev, Chair of ABZ and Deputy Chair of the Board of the Prof. Dr. Veleslav Gavriyski Foundation; Evelina Miltenova, Chair of BALIP; Svetla Nestorova, BALIP Board Member and Deputy Chair of the Foundation; Dr. Nikolay Zdravkov, Board Member of BASA and the Foundation; and Rumyana Boncheva, Chair of BASB.
The forum was opened by Prof. Dr. N. Pavlov, and a welcome address was delivered on behalf of the host university by Prof. Dr. Tsvetana Stoyanova.
In his remarks, ABZ Chair Nikolay Stanchev highlighted the main challenges faced by the industry in attracting qualified young specialists motivated to pursue successful and well-paid careers in insurance and social security. He drew attention to demographic challenges, the limited public visibility of the sector, and the need to strengthen cooperation between academia and business. He outlined possible future actions such as involving experienced professionals in student training, establishing scholarships, providing internships, and promoting the profession of “insurer” to young people.
Svetla Nestorova shared her experience in financial literacy initiatives with students, pointing out the distorted public perception of the pension system and insurance companies, which negatively impacts both the use of insurance and pension products and interest in studying these disciplines. She expressed readiness for business representatives to participate in the educational process through lectures, presentations, and career opportunities, stressing the importance of cooperation with the Bulgarian Actuarial Association.
Dr. Nikolay Zdravkov emphasized that universities should actively promote their educational programs by showcasing the successful careers of their graduates.
Prof. Dr. Diana Ivanova presented the Foundation’s main activities, including research on workforce needs in the sector, studies on financial literacy, training in secondary schools, programs on the digitalization of insurance and social security, and the annual award for contributions to the development of the sector.
Evelina Miltenova and Rumyana Boncheva highlighted the need to focus efforts both on raising financial literacy among students and on improving overall insurance and social security awareness among the active population.
Representatives of the academic community presented their educational programs and initiatives. Assoc. Prof. Yerusalimov and Assoc. Prof. Yordanov (D.A. Tsenov Academy of Economics – Svishtov) emphasized their efforts to maintain established traditions and reputation in insurance education through scientific-practical forums, public lectures, workplace training in insurance companies, as well as scholarship and internship programs. They noted that limited understanding of insurance and social security in society—particularly within the secondary education system—remains a serious challenge, and called for clearer articulation of employer requirements to help align curricula with labor market needs.
Assoc. Prof. Galya Dimitrova (UNWE) also highlighted challenges stemming from insufficient knowledge of insurance and social security specifics. She pointed to joint initiatives with business, such as workplace training and lectures by practitioners, as a way forward.
Assoc. Prof. Stoyan Kirov (University of Economics – Varna) outlined measures supporting insurance and social security studies, including practical training in company offices, lectures by industry experts, internships, and the use of the university’s digital platform “Business Cooperation Network” for career services and employer engagement. He suggested additional activities such as open lectures by visionary professionals, summer schools, national competitions, and a national scholarship program to make insurance studies more attractive.
Prof. Dr. Stanislav Dimitrov (VUZF) emphasized the importance of linking theoretical and methodological foundations with business practice. He proposed organizing career days and other thematic events, as well as closer cooperation with the insurance industry in updating curricula.
As a result of the fruitful discussion, participants expressed their support for drafting a Roadmap with concrete joint actions and timelines to strengthen strategic partnership and mutually beneficial cooperation between universities and the insurance and social security industries.
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