INSAIT Launches new fellowship programme for future technology leaders

The Institute for Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Technology (INSAIT) is launching a new technology leadership development fellowship programme, which was  officially presented here on Monday. Attending the event were Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov, Education and Science Minister Galin Tsokov, INSAIT Scientific Director Prof. Martin Vechev, Sofia University Rector Georgi Valchev and the Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics at Sofia University, Prof. Maya Stoyanova.

Vechev announced the start of the programme and said that it is entirely in the field of mathematics and informatics and aims to help the development of the most talented children in the country. The programme is entirely privately financed and is worth over BGN 1 million, with one student receiving a scholarship of BGN 72,000 over a four-year period. The scholarship includes basic training and internships in technology companies.

Vechev explained that the programme has borrowed elements from similar programmes from the most elite universities in the world, but it is a Bulgarian programme that brings together the best that is available in Bulgaria. These are the Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics at Sofia University, as well as Sofia University in general, where the students will conduct their basic training, INSAIT, where world-class research is done in the field of informatics and artificial intelligence, and the businesses that finance the programme. 

He explained that the programme is now on the INSAIT website and prospective students can apply with a deadline March 17. The BGN 72,000 is per student and this amount covers the entire four-year period of education under the programme. This year around a dozent students will be accepted, while in 20205 that number mauy go up to 15-20.

Sofia University Rector Georgi Valchev said that this programme shows the model by which the young, talented minds of Bulgaria should be encouraged.

Minister of Education and Science Tsokov said that this is a very important event for the development of the ecosystem of Bulgarian higher education and science, because it connects a leading university in Bulgaria, which is Sofia University, with one of the most innovative research institutes in the last year, INSAIT, and with businesses. He added that this is the model that Bulgarian higher education will develop in the future.

In his speech, Denkov said that this is a historic event in terms of introducing the best global practices in Bulgarian higher education, which is largely due to the INSAIT team and the support they receive from different countries.