Faculty exchange with universities in the world is an activity that UEB places an emphasis on because this helps the faculties to improve their knowledge and build capacity and facilitates UEB to connect with foreign universities. Tong Thi Minh Phuong who is a faculty of FIBE – UEB carried out activities for professional development and connections in such an exchange program.

During her visit, Phuong got involved in many activities to connect and promote cooperation between UEB and SU.

After the signing of the cooperation agreement between FIBE (UEB) and the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration (SU) in April 2022, Phuong had a chance to meet the President of SU - Dr. Habil Anastas Gerdzhikov and the Vietnamese Ambassador to Bulgaria and discussed the possibility of cooperation between SU and other universities in Vietnam, including UEB. The meeting promoted the implementation of research projects and opened up cooperation opportunities such as development projects, short-term training projects, and research projects between the two universities. 

In addition, Phuong also met Sonia Mileva, a faculty of St. Kliment Ohridski School, who facilitated the cooperation agreement between UEB and SU. On November 25, 2022, the 10th CIECI International Conference was organized in Hanoi by UEB in collaboration with domestic and foreign partners, including SU, Bulgaria. 

On the same day, SU celebrated the Patron Saint of St. Kliment Ohridski School, Phuong attended and offered flowers to the school. There, she gave an introduction of CIECI to the Rector of SU which took place successfully, gradually realizing the MOU agreements signed between the two universities.

During her visit in December 2022, Phuong had many new experiences such as giving a presentation on “Bilateral economic relations between Vietnam – Bulgaria” to SU’s students. Phuong and SU faculties and students discussed the economic situation of the two countries and the relationship between Vietnam and Bulgaria in recent years. Working, researching, and teaching in a professional international environment, and approaching a new culture are both interesting but challenging, bringing a new perspective to UEB’s faculty. 

“I was very pleased to accept the invitation to facilitate the teaching activities of the Center, meet the students who are learning Vietnamese here, and discuss the economic issues of Vietnam and Bulgaria with the students and faculties. The most impressive thing is that I was given a book about President Ho Chi Minh written by a faculty of the school,” Phuong said.

In particular, on the occasion of the Lunar New Year, a group of 20 students of Vietnamese language at SU and faculties were invited to attend the Spring program at the Vietnamese Embassy in Bulgaria to learn culture and community activities of the Vietnamese people, and to facilitate future trade and economic connections. Phuong participated and implemented activities to contribute to spreading the image of the country, culture and people of Vietnam; helping international friends to support, cooperate and help Vietnam develop in the future.

At UEB, each faculty participating in the exchange program is an ambassador representing UEB in closely and regularly connecting with foreign universities, creating a premise for the two sides to communicate, conduct meaningful and beneficial activities for students and faculties.

Developing international cooperation relationships is a lever to promote internationalization in education and research at UEB, a prerequisite for students and faculties to have access to modern and advanced education, meeting the requirements of international integration in the diverse and competitive labor market today.