From April 7 to 9, 2026, representatives of the EXCELLCITY project team took part in the Eurasia Higher Education Summit (EURIE 2026), one of the leading international forums dedicated to higher education, academic cooperation, and institutional development. This year’s edition marked the 10th anniversary of the summit, bringing together universities, research institutions, policymakers, and academic leaders from around the world.

Participation in EURIE 2026 was organized as part of the ongoing implementation of the EXCELLCITY project – “Enhancing Scientific and Innovation Capacity in Smart Cities through Twinning” (No. BG-RRP-2.005-0003), which aims to strengthen research excellence, foster innovation, and expand international cooperation in the field of smart cities.

The project was represented by:

  • Prof. Tereza Trencheva, PhD – Vice Rector for Research and International Affairs and Institutional Erasmus+ Coordinator
  • Assoc. Prof. Plamen Teodosiev, PhD – Lecturer in the Department of National and International Security

During the summit, the EXCELLCITY team held a series of productive meetings with representatives of the Eurasian Universities Union (EURAS), the main organizer of EURIE, as well as with delegates from universities and academic institutions across the Eurasian region, including TĂŒrkiye, Albania, Romania, Indonesia, and other partner countries.

These meetings created valuable opportunities for:

  • establishing new academic and research partnerships;
  • exploring opportunities for future international cooperation and joint initiatives;
  • exchanging expertise and best practices in research and innovation;
  • promoting collaboration in the area of Smart Cities and sustainable urban development.

Participation in international events such as EURIE is an essential part of the EXCELLCITY project’s mission to enhance visibility, strengthen networking, and facilitate the exchange of knowledge with leading academic institutions worldwide.

Through its active international engagement, EXCELLCITY continues to build strategic partnerships and contribute to the advancement of scientific excellence and innovation capacity in support of the smart cities of the future.