Students defended their diploma projects in front of real investors

01 april 2026

The graduate majoring in Architecture, Tsvetan Mitev defended his diploma project today. It was developed based on a real task set by the investor "Sark Bulgaria". The project is for the development of a high-tech production complex in the Industrial Park - Shumen. The graduate worked under the supervision of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Arch. Tsveta Zhekova.

The project was presented in front of the state examination committee, chaired by Corresponding Member Dr. Arch. Prof. Arch. Atanas Kovachev, the chairmen of the regional colleges of the Union of Architects and the Chamber of Architects - Arch. Marin Velchev and Arch. Nikolay Rachinski, and to Mudin Niyazi, Executive Director of "Sark Bulgaria".

Tsvetan's diploma project presents the construction of an industrial building for the production of copper wires and machine equipment, organized in two separate units within a common structure. The design takes into account the need to separate the production processes and at the same time seeks a connection between them through common logistics and infrastructure. It also includes functional schemes, technological flows and spatial organization, consistent with real production requirements. The building-up covers a terrain with an area of over 35,000 sq. m in the industrial zone of Shumen.

The commission asked questions related to the technological solutions, functional organization and applicability of the project. The discussion covered both the architectural and engineering aspects of the development. The format of the defense allowed for a detailed examination of the proposed solutions.

The defense was also attended by Kadir Mustafa, manager of "Yemnova" Ltd. - Shumen, together with "Sark Bulgaria" the companies are part of the Industrial Park - Shumen. The presence of business representatives ensured a direct connection between the academic development and investment practice. The project was presented in the context of specific production needs and implementation opportunities. The conversation between the participants focused on the future application of the development.

After the defense, a framework agreement for cooperation between the university and "Sark Bulgaria" was signed. The document was signed by the rector of VFU "Chernorizets Hrabar" Prof. Dr. Petar Hristov and Mudin Niyazi. The document regulates a partnership in the field of education, scientific research and applied activities, emphasizing the relationship between education, science and business. Joint educational programmes, training, internships and participation of students in real projects are envisioned, as well as the organization of conferences and professional events.

The agreement creates a framework for long-term cooperation, in which specific activities will be implemented through separate programs and projects. Mechanisms fojr information exchange, practical training and participation of business experts in the educational process are also envisaged. This expands the opportunities for working on real industrial tasks within the framework of training.

In July last year, students majoring in Architecture at Varna Free University "Chernorizets Hrabar" presented architectural solutions for Industrial Park - Shumen within the 'Business - Education - Administration' session. The students presented their developments for the territory of the industrial park to representatives of the local government, investors and business.

The student projects included concepts for production facilities, factories, warehouse and administrative buildings, logistics facilities and infrastructure. The developments were implemented under the mentorship of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Arch. Tsveta Zhekova and Senior Asst. Prof. Dr. Arch. Petar Nikolov.

Then the Director of Industrial Park - Shumen Mr. Nikolay Tonchev introduced to the participants key investors from the park and expressed the readiness of the business to assign real tasks to the students to be integrated into future investment projects.

Stay tuned for more about the wonderful project defenses.