On 20.09.2023 at 11:00 in Kaneff centre of the University of Ruse the final conference "INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT IN THE DANUBE REGION" will be held. It is organised under the initiative „Development of competences of politicians in the field of low-carbon and intelligent mobility in the Danube region“, as part of the „Science Meets the Regions” programme of the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission (JRC).
Co-organizers of the event, which is held under the patronage of the Rector Academician Hristo Beloev, DTSc, are the University of Ruse and the Association of Danube Municipalities "Danube". The format of the conference is hybrid (face-to-face and online).
The participants invited are politicians from the central and local government, journalists, representatives of NGOs and researchers from scientific organizations and universities. The event is also open to practitioners, entrepreneurs, business associations and companies in the fields of transport, decarbonisation, smart mobility and innovative management, as well as PhD students and students.
Special guests to the event are: Andrey Novakov, EU Member of Parliament, Georgi Krastev, member of the 49th Parliament, Dimitar Nedyalkov – vice-minister of the Ministry of Transport and communications, prof. Alexander Sladkovsi, DTSc, from the Silezian Politechnical University, Poland, prof. Alexander Boroyu and Prof. Andrey Alexandru, Politechnical University of Bucharest and university of Pitesti. Representatives of the National Association of Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria will also participate in the event.
As part of the conference program, academician Beloev will present the European policy for decarbonisation of transport and sustainable mobility. The national policy in this direction will be presented by Georgi Krastev and Prof. Dr. Velizara Pencheva. Good practices from international experience will be shared by the attending researchers from partner universities. Prof. Yuliana Popova, journalists and NGO representatives will present their joint developments on the issue of communicating the decarbonisation and intelligent mobility of public transport in the media space, as well as the contribution of organizations from the non-governmental sector to the decarbonisation of cross-border mobility.
The current situation and possible strategic solutions for intelligent, safe and sustainable mobility with low emissions for the ten Bulgarian Danube cities will be commented by representatives of the relevant municipalities along the Danube river, working together with researchers from the Department of Transport of the University of Ruse: Assoc. prof. Daniel Lyubenov, PhD, Assoc. prof. Ivan Beloev, PhD, Assoc. prof. Dimitar Grozev, PhD and pr. assistant professors Pavel Stoyanov,PhD, Mihail Milchev, PhD, Svilen Kostadinov, PhD, Toncho Balbuzanov, PhD, Boril Ivanov, PhD. The research potential of the research team will be commented by the dean of the Faculty of Transport, Assoc. Prof. Asen Asenov, PhD.
The work of the conference is fully harmonized with the objectives of the “Science Meets the Regions” program in the field of science, politics and society, namely:
Science and Politics: Bringing researchers and politicians together; Promoting mutual understanding; Discussing local policy issues using scientific evidence; Networking between scientists and politicians.
Science and Society: Striving to bring science closer to citizens; Increasing citizens' trust in science by demonstrating its key contribution to society.
The upcoming conference is another proof of Ruse University's aspiration to build a community of the science and political ecosystem in the field of sustainable transport in the Danube Region.
The members of the Programme’s Scientific Board were determined:
Academician, DTSc. Hristo Beloev, Head and Coordinator of the Programme (Chairman of the Board)
Prof. Dr. Velizara Pencheva, Scientific Leader of the Programme
Prof. Dr. Juliana Popova
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Asen Asenov
Dr. Maria Tzankova, Scientific Secretary
All board members have proven competencies in the field of low-carbon and smart mobility, innovative management and communication.
Presentation of the pairing scheme to the public - press release
After an approved application, the University of Ruse started the implementation of a new project under the program "Science meets regions" of the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission. The project entitled "Development of competences of politicians in the field of low-carbon and smart mobility in the Danube region" has a duration of one year and envisages creation of research pairs of scientists and politicians from the Danube region to achieve an increase in the decision-making capacity at local, national and European level on issues related to decarbonisation, intelligent transport systems, smart cities, green transition, etc.
The new programme scheme of the Joint Research Center at the European Commission is extremely promising as it engages the scientific potential for the benefit of local development and in response to specific needs identified by the stakeholders.
The orientation of the Ruse University project towards the Danube region and its needs for intelligent solutions in the field of transport organization and management is fully justified, as the University has won leadership positions in the innovative development of the region and is increasingly asserting its role as a significant factor in the making of political decisions at the local and national level in various areas of public life.
The project, with Scientific leader Prof. Dr. Velizara Pencheva and Chairman of the Scientific council, Academician Hristo Beloev, PhD, is one year long and is implemented in cooperation with the Association of Danube River Municipalities "Danube". Scientists from the University of Ruse, as well as researchers from partner institutions in the country and abroad, are involved in the implementation of the project.
Although under a different JRC programme, the new project will build on the achievements of the Innovation Camp project in the field of transport decarbonisation, successfully implemented in 2022 and highly rated for its effectiveness by the European Commission.
In the upcoming 4 months from the start of the new project, it will be announced to the potential participants from the target groups (politicians at local, national and European level). They are expected to express an interest in increasing their personal capacity in one of the thematic areas of the project (intelligent solutions in transport, innovative management of transport systems, competences for cooperation in the field of transport in the Danube region, etc.) and the dyads will be formed by a scientist and a politician.
The next 3-4 months will be devoted to training and research activities of the established pairs. At the final stage of the implementation of the program (September-October 2023), a final scientific-practical conference will be held at the University of Ruse, at which the results of the work of the research pairs will be reported in the presence of prominent representatives of the scientific community and the institutions at national and European level.
Senior and junior researchers were selected for the Programme as follows:
From Bulgaria:
- 4 senior researchers
- 8 junior researchers
From foreign partner organizations
- 2 senior researchers
- 1 junior researcher
Seven of the researchers are habilitated, and all of them have the educational and scientific degree "doctor".
ROUND TABLE AT RUSE UNIVERSITY WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS MR DIMITAR NEDIALKOV
On July 10, 2023, at 11 a.m. in Hall 1 of the Kanev Center - Ruse University, a round table was held with the participation of the Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications, Mr. Dimitar Nedyalkov. The round table entitled Need for joint actions of politicians and scientists for decarbonization and intelligent solutions in the field of transport is part of the initiatives of the University of Ruse in connection with the project "Development of competences of politicians in the field of low-carbon and intelligent mobility in the Danube region". Implemented under the program "Science meets regions" of the Joint Research Center (JRC) of the European Commission on the topic
At the beginning of the round table, its moderator Prof. Dr. Velizara Pencheva gave the floor to the Rector of Ruse University Academician Hristo Beloev, DNT, who congratulated Deputy Minister Nedyalkov, thanked him for his cooperation with the University and recalled moments from his biography related to Ruse and with the significant contribution of Mr. Nedyalkov to the modern appearance of the city.
In his address to the participants in the round table, Mr. Nedyalkov outlined the strategic importance of the transport sector for European economic and social development, focusing on important projects for Bulgaria in the harmonization of European transport systems. He highlighted the leading role of universities in the upcoming transport connectivity projects in Europe and the national projects under the Recovery and Resilience Plan.
The actual work of the round table began with Prof. Pencheva's presentation on the topic of the potential opportunities of the fourth generation universities for the achievement of regional carbon neutrality and effective digitalization in the field of transport systems. Next, the achievements of Ruse University for the development of the transport system of the Danube region were presented by Assoc. Dr. Asen Asenov - Dean of the Faculty of Transport, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ivan Beloev - Head of the "Transport" Department, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dimitar Grozev - Head of the "Four Wheels" professional club and Dr. Pavel Stoyanov - Coordinator of an ongoing project on Municipality of Ruse transport scheme.
Deputy Minister Nedyalkov showed extreme interest in the real and practice-oriented results of the work of the student-teacher teams from the Transport department at the University of Ruse, stating that real changes in transport can happen when there is interaction between the interested institutions and when the path from the idea to its practical realization is shortened.
The representatives of the Municipality of Ruse and the Agency for Research and Maintenance of the Danube River, present at the roundtable, took part in the round table with specific proposals.
In his closing remarks, Deputy Minister Nedyalkov expressed interest in the solutions of the Innovation Camp in the field of transport decarbonization, held at the University of Ruse in 2022 under another project of the Joint Research Center of the European Commission, stressing that they are of exceptional importance for the fulfilment of Bulgaria's commitments for decarbonization and green transition in the field of transport.
Summary of Mr. Dimitar Nedyalkov's speech
Our policy is aimed at ensuring sustainable development of the transport sector, in accordance with the principles of security, safety, energy efficiency and environmental friendliness. We have started active work on speeding up all transport projects that are related to the realization of the European Union's goals for green and digital transition". With these words, the Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications Dimitar Nedialkov addressed the participants in a round table "Need for joint actions of politicians and scientists for decarbonization and intelligent solutions in the field of transport", organized by the University of Ruse "Angel Kanchev".
Deputy Minister Dimitar Nedyalkov indicated that the budget of the "Transport Connectivity" Program 2021-2027 is BGN 3.718 billion. The funds will be used mainly for the development of railway and road infrastructure along the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), implementation of intelligent transport systems, promoting intermodality and building infrastructure for alternative fuels.
The Programme earmarked 40 million euros for the construction of 160 charging stations for alternative fuels on the national road network and 4 in ports for public transport of national importance. "This will contribute to the promotion of energy efficiency, to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and to the protection of the environment and the climate", emphasized the Deputy Minister of Transport.
The National Recovery and Sustainability Plan (NRSP) plans investments in the purchase of 7 double-decker and 35 single-decker electric locomotives, 20 single-decker push-pull trains, 18 electric shunting locomotives, as well as supply of on-board equipment for 108 electric locomotives and motor trains. "In the public procurement for the delivery of the rolling stock, we found that several significant omissions were made. To avoid their risks and to expand the possibility of greater competition, public procurement was suspended. We are currently working on eliminating these gaps, and we plan to start the orders again by the end of this month," noted Deputy Minister Dimitar Nedyalkov. He added that the European Railway Traffic Management System (ERTMS) will be implemented with funds under the National Railway Level 2) in the Ruse-Kaspichan railway section. It is also planned to build an Intermodal Terminal in Ruse by the middle of 2026 according to the National Roadmap. The public procurement has already been launched and a contractor is expected to be selected by September. The indicative value of the project is 54 BGN million
MEETING INVITATION (online)
The scientific expertise of the University of Ruse and the need for partnerships for the development of transport in the Danube region of the country
Ladies and Gentlemen,
On 18.07.2023 at 10:00 an online meeting of the participants in the initiative "Development of competences of politicians in the field of low-carbon energy and intelligent mobility in the Danube region" will be held.
Link to the meeting at: https://meet1.uni-ruse.bg/b/xx4-jze-ndw
The initiative is supported by the Joint Research Center of the European Commission (JRC) under the program "Science meets regions". Organizers: Ruse University and the Association of Danube River Municipalities "Danube" (ADRM "Danube").
Participants in the initiative: Researchers (16); Expert from practice (1); Politicians (20); Journalists (2); NGO (4)
Agenda: 1) 10:00 – 10:15 Greetings from: - Rector of the University Academician Hristo Beloev; - MEP Andrey Novakov (confirmation pending); - Executive Director of ADRM "Danube" Maria Tzankova; - a foreign researcher. 2) 10:15 a.m. – 10:25 a.m. Presentation of the initiative. 3) 10:25 - 10:40 a.m. Presentation of the scientific team and the potential opportunities of the University of Ruse to support the achievement of regional carbon neutrality and effective digitization in the field of transport systems. 4) 10:40 a.m. – 10:50 a.m. Information on current programs related to project development opportunities. 5) 10:50 – 11:00 a.m. Discussion.
Please complete the survey at:
https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=pWDb6YIwykKyVpflHTVrsLLjZgBN2jhDvMmmA7v1CvpUNDlYTlM5MzdXN0JKUzlZODUzMzMzQVQyNSQlQCNjPTEu
On July 18, 2023, in the virtual space of the University of Ruse, an online meeting-discussion took place on the topic "New opportunities for innovative development of transport in the Danube region of Bulgaria through the interaction of the scientific potential of the University of Ruse and the stakeholders in the region". The meeting is part of the events within the initiative Development of competences of politicians in the field of low-carbon and intelligent mobility in the Danube region, which is implemented by the University of Ruse in 2023, under the program "Science meets regions" of the Joint Research Center (JRC) of the European Commission. More than 40 representatives of municipalities, municipal councils, NGOs and media from the Bulgarian Danube region took part in the meeting, and its moderator was Prof. Dr. Velizara Pencheva - scientific leader of the initiative at the University of Ruse.
The participants in the online discussion were welcomed by the Rector of Ruse University, Academician Hristo Beloev, PhD, who is the Head of the initiative. Satisfaction with the cooperation with Ruse University was expressed by Mr. Encho Enchev - Deputy Mayor of the Municipality of Ruse, who congratulated the participants on behalf of the Mayor Mr. Milkov and Deputy Mayor Mrs. Magdalina Ilieva, who also participated in the meeting. The youngest representative in the current Bulgarian Parliament - Mr. Georgi Krastev, who is also a graduate of Ruse University, emphasized the importance of the discussed problems and summarized the positive expectations of the interested parties from the implementation of the initiative. Dr. Maria Tzankova - Executive Director of the Association of Danube River Municipalities "Danube" and the foreign participants supporting the initiative - Prof. Alexander Sladkovski from the Technical University in Katowice, Poland and Assoc. Prof. Andrej Borowiu from the University of Pitesti, Romania joined the participants with greetings. A message to all participants in the meeting was sent by the representative of the JRC of the European Commission, Mrs. Vanya Ivanova, who said: It is great to be with you at this international and timely event with momentum in decarbonization, transport and mobility. We at the JRC have strong research teams that help organizations and individuals at the interface between science, policy and society, focusing on building individual and institutional capacity.
After the official part, in a series of presentations, the hosts from the University of Ruse and its partner, the Association of Danube River Municipalities, introduced the participants to the essence and stages of the initiative, to the achievements and projects of the Faculty of Transport, to the successes of the student professional clubs, as well as to the prospects for cooperation with interested parties on projects in current European program schemes.
The positive impressions of the participants in the meeting were summarized by Mr. Stiliyan Stefanov - Deputy Chairman of the Municipal Council - Oryahovo and a graduate of the University of Ruse, who said that in small municipalities, cooperation with the academic environment is more than necessary in order to solve effectively accessibility issues in public transport.
The online meeting at the University of Ruse took place just one week after the round table on the need for joint actions of politicians and scientists for decarbonization and intelligent solutions in the field of transport with the participation of the Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications Mr. Dimitar Nedyalkov. At the forum, Deputy Minister Nedyalkov showed extreme interest in the solutions, developed by the Innovation Camp in the field of transport decarbonization, held at the University of Ruse in 2022 under another project of the Joint Research Center of the European Commission, stressing that they are of extreme importance for the fulfilment of Bulgaria's commitments for decarbonization and green transition in the field of transport.
The final conference of the initiative Development of competences of politicians in the field of low-carbon and intelligent mobility in the Danube region will take place on September 20, 2023 at the University of Ruse on the topic: Innovative solutions for sustainable transport in the Danube region, where the results of the joint work of scientists and politicians.
On 20.09.2023, Hall 2 of the Kanev Center will host a Final Conference and debates on key issues of low-carbon and smart mobility policies in the Danube Region in Bulgaria. Presentation of good practices for capacity building of policy makers in the field of low carbon smart mobility.