Between the 4th and 6th of June, 2025, the first seminar of this year's edition of the Leadership Development Programme of the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA Leadership Development Programme 2025) was held in Sofia. The National Evaluation and Accreditation Agency hosted the seminar, and the program events took place at the Rectorate building of Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" (SU).

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The seminar was opened with introductory remarks by the facilitators of the LDP Daniela Crăciun and Harry de Boer from the Center for Higher Education Policy Studies, Netherlands (Center for Higher Education Policy Studies, CHEPS). Prof. Sonya Mileva, Vice-Rector of Sofia University, and Prof. Eliza Stefanova, Chairperson of NEAA, also delivered welcoming addresses to the international participants. The seminar continued with a presentation on the Bulgarian higher education system, including the role and functions of NEAA, presented by Dyani Kurulenko, Senior Expert in "International Cooperation" at the Agency.

Image: NEAA

During the seminar, key global challenges shaping the future of higher education were examined in depth. Among the main topics of discussion were megatrends related to digitalization, the emergence of new technologies, demographic transformations, and ecological crises.

The seminar participants were divided into four working groups, each focused on a specific aspect, with the goal of conducting an in-depth analysis and preparing recommendations for the final, third seminar on the topic. The groups are working on the following subjects:

· Social Change - Green and Digital Transition;

· Transnational Cooperation;

· Flexibility in Quality Assurance;

Stakeholder Engagement and Independence.

Image: NEAA

The goal of the working groups is to outline future directions in the development of quality assurance systems in the context of global changes and to contribute to building flexible and innovative accreditation mechanisms. The seminar provided a valuable platform for strategic leadership, experience exchange, and is the first step towards formulating specific actions that will support the adaptation of higher education in today's dynamic world.

Image: NEAA

The seminar concluded with a Leadership interview during which participants had the opportunity to ask Prof. Stefanova questions related to her experience both as Chairperson of NEAA and as a former Vice-Rector of Sofia University.

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The participants in the LDP are representatives from higher education quality assurance agencies from the Netherlands, Norway, Romania, the Republic of Ireland, Spain, Croatia, Finland, Poland, Sweden, Cyprus, Austria, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Germany, and Belgium. The representative from NEAA at the LDP is Ms. Anastasiya Georgieva, Senior Expert at the Standing Committee on Pedagogical Sciences and Social Activities.

Image: NEAA