On 19 December 2025, during an official ceremony held at the University of Library Studies and Information Technologies (ULSIT), the EXCELLCITY project (BG-RRP-2.005-0003) was honored with the prestigious “Project of the Year” award.

The distinction was granted in recognition of the project’s leadership in innovation and its significant contribution to the strategic development of the university, highlighting the team’s consistent efforts, clear vision, and sustainable results.

The award was jointly accepted by Prof. Roumen Nikolov, PhD and Prof. Eugenia Kovatcheva, PhD, who expressed their sincere gratitude to the entire project team for their professionalism, dedication, and excellent collaborative work.

The EXCELLCITY team regards this recognition as an acknowledgment of the achievements made so far and as strong motivation to continue working toward innovation, quality, and sustainable development.

Congratulations to the entire EXCELLCITY team!

• 19.12.2025

From 15 to 17 December 2025, the ExcellCity project organized and implemented the “Open Doors Week” at the University of Library Studies and Information Technologies (ULSIT). The event was carried out as an official project activity and presented the project’s objectives, research focus, and expected results to a broad audience of students, teachers, and representatives of the educational community.

The initiative was conducted entirely within the framework of the ExcellCity project, with the project team acting as the main organizer and executor – responsible for the development of the program agenda, logistical coordination, thematic sessions, demonstrations, and guided visits to the university’s specialized laboratories.

The “Open Doors Week” welcomed hundreds of students and teachers from secondary schools and vocational high schools across the country – partner institutions of ULSIT under signed cooperation agreements. A key focus was placed on presenting ExcellCity as a research and innovation hub in the field of smart and climate-neutral cities, digital transformation, and the use of modern open-source technological platforms, including FIWARE.

According to the approved project schedule, the three-day program included thematic sessions dedicated to:

• smart cities and sustainable urban development;

• digital technologies and open data platforms;

• cybersecurity and information systems protection;

• innovation management and research infrastructure;

• the application of artificial intelligence in urban and educational ecosystems.

During these sessions, the ExcellCity project team presented the core mission of the project – to enhance the scientific and innovation capacity of ULSIT and its partner organizations, to build advanced research infrastructure, and to establish a sustainable environment for cooperation between universities, research institutions, public authorities, and industry.

Special emphasis was placed on:

• the development of interdisciplinary research in the area of smart city solutions;

• opportunities for student involvement in real research and innovation activities within the project;

• the acquisition of practical skills related to digital platforms, data analysis, and intelligent systems.

One of the highlights of the program was the guided visits, organized by the ExcellCity team, to ULSIT’s specialized facilities – the VR & AI Lab, IBM Lab, SoftLab, and the UNESCO Chair – where participants explored examples of applied research, simulation environments, and technological solutions related to the concept of intelligent and sustainable cities.

The implementation of the “Open Doors Week” within the ExcellCity project contributed to:

• promoting the research activities of ULSIT;

• increasing young people’s interest in engineering, information technologies, and interdisciplinary study fields;

• establishing early connections between secondary school students, the academic environment, and innovative research projects;

• strengthening the position of ExcellCity as a platform for the development of smart and sustainable urban solutions.

The event concluded with an official closing session and the presentation of key information regarding admission to ULSIT. Participants expressed a high level of satisfaction with the organization, content, and practical orientation of the program, highlighting in particular the active role and professionalism of the ExcellCity project team in delivering the initiative.

• 15.12.2025 - 17.12.2025

On December 9–10, 2025, the ExcellCity project organized and hosted the two-day seminar “FIWARE Practitioner’s Guide – Training, Applying & Advancing Competencies for Smart Urban Solutions.” The event took place in Hall 103 at the University of Library Studies and Information Technologies (ULSIT) and brought together experts, lecturers, students, and members of the technology community.

The seminar was officially opened by ULSIT’s academic leadership -  Prof. Georgi Dimitrov, PhD, Dean of the Faculty of Information Sciences, and Prof. Eugenia Kovatcheva, PhD, Manager of the ExcellCity Project. They welcomed the participants and highlighted FIWARE’s role as a key framework for building sustainable, interconnected, and intelligent urban environments.

Leading lecturers from the FIWARE Foundation — Jose Luis Benitez Moreno, Ilari Mikkonen, and Vincent Maurice Demortier -  presented the latest trends, tools, and practical applications in IoT, smart city development, and robotics. The program included:

• an introduction to the Practical Guide and CI/CD principles;
• hands-on work with core FIWARE components such as IoT Agents, Scorpio, Draco, and others;
• deployment of the security layer using Keycloak and APISix;
• real-world demonstrations and robotic integrations;
• an overview of Model Context Protocol (MCP) with Google Gemini CLI, GitHub, and the FIWARE MCP server;
• practical use of no-code/low-code tools including Google Opal and N8N;
• applications of Robotics & ROS-2 within the FIWARE ecosystem;
• strategic directions and upcoming FIWARE initiatives.

The seminar featured interactive discussions, practical demonstrations, and in-depth knowledge exchange, fostering advanced competencies for developing modern smart urban solutions. The sessions were moderated by Chief Assist. Prof. Lyubomir Gotsev, PhD, and Assist. Prof. Genadiy Gospodinov.

ExcellCity continues to advance initiatives supporting the digital transformation of urban environments by cultivating sustainable partnerships and promoting the adoption of open standards and innovative technologies.

• 09.12.2025 - 10.12.2025

The ExcellCity project will hold a two-day intensive training program, FIWARE Practitioner’s Guide: Training, Applying & Advancing Competencies for Smart Urban Solutions, on 9–10 December 2025 at the University of Library Studies and Information Technologies (ULSIT), Hall 103, 69A Shipchenski Prohod Blvd., Sofia.

The event aims to develop practical competencies for designing intelligent and sustainable urban solutions. It introduces the pilot practical handbook FIWARE Practitioner’s Guide by ExcellCity through a combination of lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on workshops.

Guest Lecturers from FIWARE Foundation

The training will feature three international experts from the FIWARE Foundation:

• Jose Luis Benitez Moreno

• Vincent Maurice Demortier

• Ilari Mikkonen

Program Highlights

9 December 2025 – Practical Guide I–III

• Introduction to the Practical Guide: goals, structure, and principles

• Workshop: IoT Agents, Scorpio, Draco, and other FIWARE Generic Enablers

• Deployment of the Security Layer (Keycloak / API Six)

• Real-world examples and interactions with robots

10 December 2025 – Advanced FIWARE

• MCPs and FIWARE: modularity, interoperability, and integration models

• Integration with Google Opal and N8N for low-code automation

• Robotics in FIWARE – demonstrations and emerging capabilities

• The seminar also provides opportunities for networking, discussion, and exploring potential future collaborations among project partners.
  

Registration

Participation is confirmed through a short online registration form included in the official invitation.
For additional questions:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Find the Agenda HERE!

On November 18, 2025, another webinar from the series of events organized by UniBIT and the ExcellCity project took place, dedicated to current topics from the digital world and meetings with industry experts.

The theme of the webinar was “AI Search: How to Be Among the Chosen”, with keynote speaker Elitza Stoilova, Co-founder and CEO of Umni.bg. She shared valuable knowledge and practical strategies for content optimization and online presence in the era of AI-powered search engines.

Key highlights from the webinar:

♦️ How AI search works and why it is transforming digital visibility

♦️ How businesses can position themselves “among the chosen”

♦️ How smart chatbots support automation and customer service

The event sparked an active discussion and gave participants the opportunity to exchange ideas and questions with the speaker.

ExcellCity and ULSIT extend their gratitude to Elitza Stoilova for her inspiring lecture and to all participants for their active engagement.

📅 Stay tuned for the upcoming webinars in the series – more inspiring meetings and topics are on the way, designed to enrich the knowledge and skills of students and professionals in the digital sphere.

 

• 18.11.2025

On 17 November 2025, the ExcellCity project successfully held the lecture “Mathematics for Diabetes: The Artificial Pancreas”, delivered by internationally renowned scientist Prof. Boris Kovatchev, Ph.D. The event took place in a hybrid format—on-site in the Conference Hall of ULSIT and online via Google Meet—bringing together partners, academic staff, students, PhD candidates, and guests of the university.

Highlights from the Lecture

Prof. Kovatchev presented cutting-edge scientific developments and mathematical approaches used in the creation of artificial pancreas systems—one of the most significant advancements in modern diabetes treatment and management. Participants learned about key mathematical models, algorithms, and biosimulation methods that underpin intelligent, automated insulin delivery technologies.

The lecture emphasized the intersection between medicine, mathematics, and data analysis, as well as the crucial role of innovation in improving patients’ quality of life. Prof. Kovatchev also discussed current challenges in developing artificial pancreas systems and outlined promising directions for future medical technologies.

About the Speaker

Prof. Boris Kovatchev is an internationally recognized researcher and Madge M. Jones Professor of Diabetes at the University of Virginia School of Medicine. He also serves as an Adjunct Professor at the School of Data Science and is the Founding Director of the UVA Center for Diabetes Technology.
With more than 260 peer-reviewed publications and 42 international patents, Prof. Kovatchev is a leading authority in diabetes technology research. His work is behind one of the most widely used artificial pancreas systems—Control-IQ, currently supporting hundreds of thousands of patients worldwide.

The event attracted strong interest and offered a valuable opportunity for knowledge exchange among researchers, students, and professionals. ExcellCity extends its gratitude to all participants and looks forward to future events dedicated to innovation and scientific collaboration.

• 17.11.2025

ExcellCity is pleased to invite you to a free online webinar on the topic:

AI SEARCH: HOW TO BE AMONG THE CHOSEN ONES?

📅 18 November 2025
🕚 11:00 AM
📍 Online via Zoom

The lecturer of the event will be Elitsa Stoilova – Co-founder and CEO of Umni.bg, the first Bulgarian platform for AI digital assistants. Umni.bg enables businesses to create, train, and maintain smart chatbots for their websites without any technical knowledge, as well as automate customer communication using dynamic forms, FAQ handling, and AI-driven workflows.

Elitsa Stoilova is also a Certified AEO Specialist – an expert in optimizing websites and digital presence for the new generation of AI search engines, making her insights especially valuable in the era of intelligent discovery.

This webinar is organized specifically for students of UNIBIT from the programs “Digital Marketing and Web Design” and “Artificial Intelligence and Data Processing”,
but it is also open to external guests who have interest in the topic.

During the webinar, you will learn:

• how AI search works and why it is reshaping digital visibility;

• how businesses can adapt to stay “among the chosen ones” in AI-driven results;

• practical strategies for optimizing content and online presence for AI;

• how smart chatbots can support automation, customer service, and sales.

Access: Free

🔗 Join via Zoom:
Meeting ID: 822 9546 6956

The ExcellCity project is pleased to invite all partners, colleagues, students, PhD candidates, and guests of the University of Library Studies and Information Technologies (ULSIT) to the lecture “Mathematics for Diabetes: The Artificial Pancreas”, delivered by the internationally renowned scientist Prof. Boris Kovatchev, Ph.D.

The event will be held on 17 November 2025 at 15:00 CET in a hybrid format:

📍 On-site: ULSIT, Tsarigradsko shose Blvd. 119, Sofia - Conference Hall
💻 Online participation: via Google Meet

About the Lecture

The lecture will explore cutting-edge scientific developments, mathematical models, and algorithms used in the creation of artificial pancreas systems—one of the most significant innovations in diabetes treatment and management. Special attention will be given to the role of mathematics, data modeling, and biosimulation in developing intelligent, automated insulin delivery technologies.

About the Speaker

Prof. Boris Kovatchev is an internationally recognized scientist, serving as the Madge M. Jones Professor of Diabetes at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, Adjunct Professor at the School of Data Science, and Founding Director of the UVA Center for Diabetes Technology.
He is a leading figure in diabetes technology research, with major contributions to modeling and algorithm development. Prof. Kovatchev is the author of more than 260 peer-reviewed publications and holds 42 international patents. His work is behind one of the most widely used artificial pancreas systems—Control-IQ, currently used by hundreds of thousands of patients worldwide.

We look forward to welcoming you - either in person or online!

On 13 November 2025, representatives of the ExcellCity project participated in the large-scale event StartupFair ULSIT 2025, which brought together experts from academia, business, and the entrepreneurial ecosystem. The forum was held at the University of Library Studies and Information Technologies (ULSIT) and featured panel discussions, a round table, and practical workshops.

Participation of the ExcellCity Team

The project was represented by:

• Prof. Teresa Trencheva
• Prof. Evgeniya Kovacheva
• Assist. Detelina Vitanova
• Deyan Matev, PhD
• Assoc. Prof. Denis Chikurtev

The team members contributed to several key segments of the event:

1. Round Table: “Open Innovation: Science – Entrepreneurship – Artificial Intelligence”

Prof. Trencheva and Prof. Kovacheva presented their joint report “Scientific Research as a Driver of Innovation”, emphasizing the strategic role of universities in technological transformation and the development of the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The discussion also included the topic “Entrepreneurial Ecosystem at ULSIT”, highlighting knowledge transfer and collaboration between academia and business.

2. Practical Workshops

As part of the workshop programme, Assoc. Prof. Denis Chikurtev and Assist. Detelina Vitanova conducted a session titled “Introduction to FIWARE”, demonstrating key components of the platform and its applications in smart cities and digital services.

3. Scientific Entrepreneurship Models

Deyan Matev, PhD, took part in the panel “Academic Knowledge: A Launchpad for Successful Business”, where he presented models for knowledge transfer, the creation of spinoffs, and the practical implementation of research results.

Outcomes and Benefits for the Project

Participation in StartupFair ULSIT 2025 provided excellent opportunities for:

• expanding the project’s partner network,

• showcasing the project’s key activities and achievements,

• exchanging good practices in innovation, digital transformation, and entrepreneurship,

• identifying opportunities for future collaboration with academic and business stakeholders.

ExcellCity continues to contribute to the modernization of urban environments and the adoption of innovative technological solutions. The project’s involvement in StartupFair ULSIT 2025 once again highlights its significant role in fostering sustainable connections between science, business, and society.

• 13.11.2025