08/06/2026
🤝Ambassador Pohjankukka paid a visit to The Thracian University – Stara Zagora and met with the Rector, Prof. Miroslav Karabaliev as part of her official trip to the area of Plovdiv and Stara Zagora.
✅One of the main goals of the visit was to get a more in-depth look at the scientific and innovation potential of the region and the opportunities for future cooperation between Finnish and Bulgarian scientific organizations.
🟧The meeting was attended also by the Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, Assoc. Prof. Tsvetoslav Koinarski, the Secretary General, Emilia Blagoeva, and representatives of the H2START – Center for Excellence team.
🟩During the visit, Prof. Karabaliev presented the development of Thracian University as one of the leading multidisciplinary universities in Bulgaria. He emphasized the unique model of the institution, which unites educational and scientific structures from the region of Southeast Bulgaria, as well as the establishment of the new Faculty of Digital and Green Technologies.
🟦During the discussion, Ambassador Pohjankukka presented Finland's experience in developing the hydrogen economy, and in particular the initiatives in the Oulu region, where one of the leading hydrogen valleys in the country is being built. She emphasized the importance of cooperation between scientific organizations, businesses and public institutions for the successful implementation of hydrogen technologies.