Students, faculty visit Technical University of Sofia through Erasmus+ grant
WCU faculty and students visit Professor Dr. Assen Zlatarov University medical campus in Burgas.
By Julia Duvall
Western Carolina University faculty and students recently had the opportunity to visit Technical University of Sofia in Bulgaria through an Erasmus+ grant.
Erasmus+ is a European Union program that was created to support faculty and student exchanges. The 2021-2027 initiative places a strong focus on social inclusion, the green and digital transitions, and promoting young people’s participation in democratic life.
WCU is no stranger to TU-Sofia as Yanjun Yan, a professor in WCU’s College of Engineering and Technology, visited the institution in the fall of 2021 as a Fulbright scholar.
In 2022, WCU also hosted a TU-Sofia Fulbright Scholar, Vladislav “Vlado” Slavov, an engineering professor and vice dean at the university, who was able to visit WCU again in May 2024 to attend spring commencement and see students he taught during his visit walk across the stage because of the Erasmus+ grant.
“This is a continuation of the relationships built through Fulbright that have been strengthened with the Erasmus+ funding,” Yan said.
WCU was approved in August 2023 for the Erasmus+ grant and the funding goes through June 2025. WCU was recently approved for another grant through 2026.
“This Erasmus+ grant supported two TU-Sofia faculty members to visit us this past May and three WCU faculty members to visit Bulgaria, as well as a student to study at TU-Sofia in fall 2024.”
With the Erasmus+ funding, WCU was able to combine the TU-Sofia trip with a faculty-led trip for students. Wes Stone, director of WCU’s School of Engineering and Technology; Randy Collins, dean of the College of Engineering and Technology; and Wes Milner, director of WCU’s Office of Global Engagement, were instrumental in their support to make the programs happen.
“The funding works like a per diem; it covers travel expenses and meals,” Yan said. “Funding is based on distance, country, exchange rate and several other factors.”
In addition to visiting TU-Sofia, students explored other facilities and historical landmarks, ate authentic cuisine and participated in traditional dancing during the 17-day trip.
The Erasmus+ program is managed by the European Commission, the European Education and Culture Executive Agency, and other national agencies in program countries.
“We are also exploring the opportunity of a research fellows’ program for WCU colleagues to potentially do research collaborations at TU-Sofia for three months to one year,” Yan said.
Faculty and students interested in participating in the program can contact Yan at yyan@ wcu.edu.
