ExcellCity is pleased to invite you to the 2025 Summer School, taking place from June 2–6, 2025 at the University of Library Studies and Information Technologies (ULSIT) in Sofia, Bulgaria (69A Shipchenski Prohod Blvd., Room 210).

This year’s theme is “Intelligent Cloud Continuum” – a cutting-edge exploration of cloud computing, edge technologies, and artificial intelligence. The program will feature hands-on sessions and expert talks on:

• Digital Twins in Action with Eclipse Ditto and smart campus applications;

• Cloud-to-Edge Deployments for scalable, adaptive data processing;

• IoT Agents with a Mission for event-driven smart infrastructures;

• FogFlow for dynamic cloud-edge computation orchestration;

• FIWARE solutions for smart cities and industries;

• Big Data & Microservices with Docker and Hadoop.

Distinguished speakers from the University of Murcia (Spain) and the University of Messina (Italy) will share the latest innovations and research findings.

The school will also foster informal networking and opportunities for future collaboration between academic and industry teams.

📌 Register now: Participation form
📧 For more information: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

We look forward to seeing you in Sofia this June!

 Download Full Agenda (PDF)

On May 22, 2025, the University of Library Studies and Information Technologies (ULSIT) hosted the first in-person module of the summer scientific seminar “Open Science,” organized as part of the project ExcellCity: Enhancing Scientific and Innovation Capacity in the Smart City through Twinning Partnerships (BG-RRP-2.005-0003), funded by the European Union through Bulgaria’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan.

The seminar was officially opened by Prof. Dr. Evgenia Kovacheva – Project Leader and Director of Scientific Policies at ULSIT. Participants were introduced to the foundations of open science, its policies, and its importance for modern scientific collaboration. Key speakers included Prof. Dr. Rumen Nikolov, Prof. Dr. Elena Shoikova, and Prof. Dr. Evgenia Kovacheva.

The seminar aims to enhance the skills and knowledge of researchers, educators, PhD students, students, and citizen scientists in applying the principles of open science. The training focused on topics such as open data, open code, and open research outputs, as well as the development of a data management plan.

The online modules of the program will continue from May 23 to September 28, 2025, and the final in-person session will take place on September 29, 2025, at ULSIT. All participants who successfully complete the program will receive a certificate.

More information and registration: https://projects.unibit.bg/course/view.php?id=89

• 22.05.2025

The University of Library Studies and Information Technologies (ULSIT) is pleased to invite you to participate in the Open Summer Scientific Seminar, organized within the framework of the project EXCELLCITY: Enhancing Scientific and Innovation Capacity in the Smart City through Twinning (BG-RRP-2.005-0003).

📅 Date: May 22, 2025, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Location: Sofia, Tsarigradsko shose 119, Room 106
💻 Online platform: https://projects.unibit.bg/course/view.php?id=89 (access with ULSIT email)
🎓 Format: Hybrid — in-person modules and online self-paced learning

🔍 Seminar Topic:
“Open Science: New Horizons for Collaboration and Impact”

Participants will explore the principles and tools of open science, gain skills in open data management, develop open science plans, and apply culturally responsive teaching and research practices.

🎙 Key speakers include:

• Prof. Teresa Trencheva

• Prof. Elena Shoikova

• Prof. Evgenia Kovacheva

📜 Successful completion of all five modules and the final assessment grants an Official Certificate in Open Science.

Register now and join us on the path toward advancing open, collaborative, and impactful research!
👉 Register and access the course

  Download Full Agenda (PDF)

On April 25, 2025, the University of Library Studies and Information Technologies (UniBIT) organized the XIII National Seminar on "Intellectual Property and New Dimensions in Art and Science: Challenges and Opportunities." The event was dedicated to the World Intellectual Property Day (April 26) and was included in the official calendar of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) – Geneva, Switzerland.

The forum was held in a hybrid format – in person and online – in the "Ceremonial" Hall at UniBIT, 119 Tsarigradsko Shose Blvd., Sofia, with the official opening starting at 10:00 AM.

It was especially important that the thematic panels of the seminar were integrated as part of the trainings under the Excellcity project. Participants had the opportunity to expand their knowledge and competencies in the field of intellectual property through three specialized panels:

• Panel 1: Intellectual Property in the Digital Era – protection and management of copyrights in the context of artificial intelligence and new technologies;

• Panel 2: The Role of Intellectual Property in Scientific Research and Innovation – best practices and legal challenges;

• Panel 3: Business Models Based on Intellectual Property – strategies for commercialization and sustainable development.

The focus was placed on the new challenges and opportunities in the dynamically evolving fields of art and science, with each panel providing opportunities for in-depth discussion and experience exchange among participants.

We thank all participants for their involvement!

• 25 April 2025

On April 23–24, 2025, the University of Library Studies and Information Technologies (ULSIT) hosted the practical seminar "FIWARE IN ACTION", part of the ExcellCity project. The event brought together international experts from the FIWARE technology platform, who presented leading innovations in IoT system integration, real-time data visualization, and automation using platforms such as Node-Red, Grafana, and ROS2.

📍 Venue: Hall 211, ULSIT, 69A Shipchenski Prohod Blvd., Sofia, Bulgaria
📅 Dates: April 23–24, 2025

🔹 During the seminar, participants explored:

• accessing the FIWARE platform and working with Node-Red for sensor connectivity;

• real-time IoT data visualization with Grafana;

• FIWARE's application in robotics and the ROS2 system;

• principles of edge computing, connectivity protocols, and the use of the FIWARE Catalogue and ETL tools.

👥 Guest Lecturers:

• Jose Luis Benitez Moreno (FIWARE)

• Vincent Maurice Demortier (FIWARE)

• Ilari Mikkonen (FIWARE)

🎤 Moderators:

• Chief Assist. Prof. Lyubomir Gotsev, PhD

• Assoc. Prof. Denis Chikurtev, PhD

• Assist. Prof. Genadiy Gospodinov

The seminar was officially opened by Prof. Georgi Dimitrov, PhD – Dean of the Faculty of Information Sciences, and Prof. Eugenia Kovatcheva, PhD – Director of the Directorate for Scientific Policies and Project Coordinator of ExcellCity.
Over the course of two days, participants not only became familiar with the latest technological solutions but also engaged in hands-on activities involving the integration of multiple sensors, data visualization, and process automation.

The event was distinguished by an intensive working atmosphere, innovative demonstrations, and lively discussions on the future of smart cities and digital transformation.

• 23-24 april 2025

On April 23–24, 2025, the University of Library Studies and Information Technologies (ULSIT) will host the practical seminar “FIWARE IN ACTION” as part of the ExcellCity project.

This event will bring together leading experts from the international technology platform FIWARE, who will present cutting-edge developments in IoT integration, real-time data visualization, and automation using platforms such as Node-Red, Grafana, and ROS2.

📍 Venue: Hall 211, ULSIT, 69A Shipchenski Prohod Blvd., Sofia, Bulgaria
📅 Dates: April 23–24, 2025

🧠 Seminar Highlights:

🔹 Unlocking FIWARE – accessing the platform, deploying services, and connecting sensors with Node-Red
🔹 Real-Time IoT Visualization – configuring Grafana for dynamic sensor data interpretation
🔹 The Future of Robotics – exploring FIWARE's role in ROS2 and advanced automation
🔹 Edge Computing & Interoperability – leveraging protocols, Zigbee, ETL tools, and the FIWARE Catalogue

👥 Guest Lecturers:

• Jose Luis Benitez Moreno (FIWARE)

• Vincent Maurice Demortier (FIWARE)

• Ilari Mikkonen (FIWARE)

🎤 Moderators:

• Chief Assist. Prof. Lyubomir Gotsev, PhD

• Assist. Prof. Genadiy Gospodinov

• Assoc. Prof. Denis Chikurtev, PhD

📌 The seminar will be officially opened by Prof. Georgi Dimitrov, PhD – Dean of the Faculty of Information Sciences, and Prof. Eugenia Kovatcheva, PhD – Project Manager of ExcellCity.

Download Full Agenda (PDF)

From January 22-24, 2025, a round table on 'Information Technologies in the Educational Process' took place in Kostenez as part of the administrative and scientific seminar organized by the University of Library Studies and Information Technologies (UniBIT). The event brought together researchers, educators, and experts in the field of education and digital technologies to discuss innovations and challenges in the application of information technologies in the learning process.

The forum was officially opened by Prof. Irena Peteva and Prof. Stoyan Denchev, who emphasized the importance of digitalization in education and the need to adapt curricula to modern technological requirements.

Key highlights of the program included discussions on:

• Opportunities for using digital resources in education;

• The role of artificial intelligence in university library activities;

• Information technologies in the education of students specializing in cultural and historical heritage;

• Ethical aspects of cybersecurity in the educational process.

The event provided an opportunity for intensive knowledge exchange and best practices, with a key contribution within the Excellcity project coming from the special thematic panel 'Excellcity – Strategy for Research & Innovation.' This session featured presentations on a SWOT analysis of UniBIT's research and innovation strategy, good international practices, and guidelines for the future development of the institutional research strategy.

The seminar concluded with practical workshops aimed at supporting PhD students and young researchers in publishing scientific papers with impact factor.

The Excellcity project continues to promote collaboration between the academic community and the business sector, creating innovative solutions for smart education and sustainable development.

• 21.01.2025 - 24.01.2025

The Agenda is HERE!

As part of the ExcellCity project, a team of nine researchers from ULSIT, Sofia Development Association, and Virtech took part in a short-term mobility program at the University of Murcia in January 2025.

The program included lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on workshops on key technologies for smart cities, such as digital twins, decentralized AI models, and multi-agent systems. Participants explored real-world applications of FIWARE-based solutions in agribusiness, precision agriculture, water resource management, and energy efficiency. They also gained insights into the deployment of LoRaWAN and 5G infrastructures for smart city development.

One of the key highlights of the visit was the Integrated City Monitoring Center, which collects data from thousands of sensors and integrates over 300 different systems. The team learned about Murcia’s smart city strategy from 2016 to the present, including planned upgrades for 2024 and beyond.

In addition, the delegation established new contacts with the University of Murcia’s International Relations Office, paving the way for future Erasmus+ faculty and student exchanges, as well as joint educational and research projects. The visit concluded with a meeting with the Mayor of Murcia, José Francisco Ballesta Germán, who shared the city’s approach to smart specialization and key lessons that could benefit Sofia’s urban development.

• 13.01.2025 - 17.01.2025

📌 Stay tuned for more updates on our progress at excellcity.unibit.bg

From December 16 to 19, 2024, as part of the Excellcity project: STRENGTHENING THE SCIENTIFIC EXCELLENCE AND INNOVATION CAPACITY IN THE AREA OF SMART CITY THROUGH TWINNING, BG-RRP-2.005-0003, the forum “Excellcity: Open Doors Week at ULSIT” was held at the Faculty of Information Sciences.

The event, organized under the framework of the Excellcity project, attracted significant interest from teachers, students, and representatives of school management teams partnering with ULSIT. During the forum, two memoranda of cooperation were signed between ULSIT and two schools: 31st High School with Advanced Study in Foreign Languages "Ivan Vazov" and the Telecommunications Vocational High School in Sofia.

Around 350 students from leading schools across the country had the opportunity to explore ULSIT’s educational programs, state-of-the-art laboratories, and innovative faculty projects.

The event program included visits to the following schools:

• 👉Day 1: 29th High School "Kuzman Shapkarev"
• 👉Day 2: 31st High School with Advanced Study in Foreign Languages "Ivan Vazov"
• 👉Day 3: 26th High School "Yordan Yovkov" and Vocational School of Electrical Engineering "A. S. Popov" – Devin
• 👉Day 4: Telecommunications Vocational High School – Sofia

During the Open Doors Week, students toured ULSIT’s laboratories, including:

• ✔️IBM Lab
• ✔️LibLab
• ✔️UNESCO Interfaculty Chair
• ✔️AI&VR Lab
• ✔️SoftLab
• ✔️Robotics Club

The event featured exciting demonstrations, hands-on tasks, and conversations with ULSIT lecturers and students, who highlighted the benefits of studying at the university, the opportunities for mobility under the Erasmus+ program, and the importance of innovation in education.

The " Excellcity: Open Doors Week," organized as a key initiative of the Excellcity project, reaffirmed ULSIT's commitment to fostering innovation, practical training, and collaboration with secondary schools in Bulgaria.

• 16.12.2024 - 19.12.2024