Diplomatic World_nummer 57

Despite these kinds of self-regulating mechanisms, the huge
BRI initiative and the associated Chinese strategic vision,
comparable to the Marshall plan after the Second World
War, merit critical academic attention to avoid populist
reactions that are often based on perceptions and intuitions
that are unsubstantiated by facts. It is an excellent subject
to initiate the adhesion of Sofia University to BACES
– Brussels Academy for China European Studies – that
focuses its research on contemporary China and EU-China
relations.
In the session at the National Assembly, the CIDIC
delegation was received by parliamentarians representing
the different political factions. The general theme of the
discussion was “Bulgaria as a bridge between the Western
Balkans and the EU”. The Q&A session was initiated by
two short presentations: “On the importance of Economic
Diplomacy, the Brussels Diplomatic Academy (BDA)
and international collaboration perspectives”, by Gunter
Gaublomme, Director of the BDA, and “The role of the
Bulgarian Development Bank (BDB) for the development of
small and medium-sized companies” by Sophia Kassidova,
Financial Strategy Advisor of the BDB.
STARTUPS, MOTORS FOR NEW ECONOMIC
AND SOCIETAL INNOVATION – PANEL IN SOFIA
UNIVERSITY
The core business of the university remains research and
education based on research. Research is the unique selling
proposition with respect to other actors in higher education.
But also, community services and the creation of societal
and economic impact are part of the “new normal”. Towards
our students, we have the social responsibility to help them
ensuring their lifelong employability, and therefore not only
research but also entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial
attitudes have to be incorporated in the learning outcomes
of the curricula. The latter are core competences that
are expected from our graduates: “Some will want to
become entrepreneurs, all will have to be entrepreneurial”.
This transformation is crucial to avoid the danger of a
new societal “divide” between entrepreneurs and nonentrepreneurs.
The Bulgarian Ministry of Economy, represented by
Tihomira Palova, wants to encourage entrepreneurship
and innovation in new companies. Sectors of primary
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From right to left: Prof. Lyu Jie, Deputy Director, International Office, RUC; Prof. Zhang Xiaohui, Deputy Director, President Office, RUC; Prof.
Yang Weiguo, Dean School of Personnel and Human Resources, RUC; Prof. Zhang Jianming, Executive Vice President, University Council, RUC;
Prof. Song Xinning, Director of Confucius Institute at VUB and Jean Monnet Chair ad personam at RUC; Prof. Huang Weiping, Chairman of Academic
Board, Centre for European Studies; Ms. Song Yiran, International Office, RUC – Renmin University of China