GEORGE KREMLIS: VFU “CHERNORIZETS HRABAR” WAS THE FIRST UNIVERSITY IN EUROPE WHICH DEVELOPED A MASTER'S PROGRAMME IN CIRCULAR ECONOMY
14 November 2023
Varna Free University "Chernorizets Hrabar" conferred on George Kremlis - Honorary Director of the Directorate-General for Environment of the European Commission, with the honorary title of Doctor Honoris Causa of VFU "Chernorizets Hrabar". The distinction was awarded for the commitment, personal support and participation of George Kremlinis in the development of the innovative educational project - Master's programme in Circular Economy, as well as for his significant contribution to creating an environment stimulating the values of sustainable development and the application of the circular economy model.
Special guest of the event was the mayor of Varna, Blagomir Kotsev, who made his first public appearance as mayor at Varna Free University.
A congratulatory address was received from the President of the Republic of Bulgaria, Rumen Radev, in which it is said: "Mr Kremlis’ high commitment and expertise have made a key contribution to the creation of the innovative master's programme in Circular Economy and its validation among your students. I am convinced, that with the support of Mr Kremlis, Varna Free University will continue to form leading specialists dedicated to the sustainable development of Bulgaria and our inclusion in the European ideal of an ecological economy."
Varna Free University was the first in Europe to develop and introduce a master's programme in circular economy, said George Kremlis during his address. According to him, it remains the most comprehensive and should also be offered in English in order to attract not only Bulgarian but also international students. The master's programme in Circular Economy at VFU "Chernorizets Hrabar" is held under the patronage of the Directorate-General for Environment of the European Commission. In it, two classes completed their studies, during which the students developed and presented real projects to carry out the ambitions of the Green Deal for a digital and environmentally friendly economy. The campaign for the admissions of the third batch of students in the master's programme in Circular Economy is in full swing.
The application of the circular economy will give a boost to technologies, which will also lead to the creation of new "green" jobs, added George Kremlis. According to him, the circular economy model can preserve nature and resources, especially considering that resources are being depleted and the climate is changing. It will enable humanity to reduce its footprint on the environment, Kremlis pointed out. He talked about models that will be based on a sustainable economy, sustainable cities, sustainable households.
The attitude towards the environment is a leading priority and responsibility of VFU "Chernorizets Hrabar". The university changes both environment and attitude by meeting the highest standards of sustainability based on scientific, educational, economic, environmental and social criteria. Varna Free University is a leader in circular economy education. In the academic profile, a full cycle of educational products on the issue is implemented - from courses for additional qualification, through a sustainably developing master's programme and its upgrade to an educational and scientific degree "doctor". Topics related to climate change and the green transition are represented in the bachelor's and master's programmes in Economics, Public Administration and Management, Business Administration and Management, Architecture and others. Varna Free University also became the first higher education institution in Bulgaria certified according to the international standard ISO 14001:2015 for environmental management.
Blagomir Kotsev, Mayor of Varna, greeted the academic leadership, students and guests. "It is particularly important for me that the first public event in which I participate as mayor is related to education. Science and education are freedom and humanism. And in my work as mayor, they will be a special priority. I congratulate Mr George Kremlis for the title Doctor Honoris Kausa, with which he was awarded today by Varna Free University "Chernorizets Hrabar". We won another friend of Varna and a man of the spirit said Kotsev.
Guests of the event were also the mayor of the municipality of Devnya Svilen Shitov, the deputy regional governors of the district with the administrative centre of Varna, Antoaneta Petrova and Ognyan Rachev, Erdzhan Sebaytin - director of the Regional Inspection for the Environment and Water - Varna, Arch. Marin Velchev - Chairperson of the Chamber of Architects in Bulgaria - Varna Regional College, Mihail Polendakov - Executive Director of Heidelberg Materials Devnya AD, Sirma Zheleva - Executive Director of TexCycle Eurotex OOD, Eng. Maya Stefanova, PhD - Head of the ECOLOGY Department in Agropolihim AD, representatives of higher education institutions and scientific institutes, chairpersons and members of the branch boards of professional directions, business representatives, members of the Board of Trustees of VFU "Chernorizets Hrabar".
George Kremlis is Doctor Honoris Causa of VFU "Chernorizets Hraber". For 30 years, he has been the director of the Directorate-General for Environment of the EC, and is currently its honorary chairperson. He is a member of the Board of the European Public Law Organization and chairs its Climate and Circular Economy Institute. He is also a member of the Environmental and Social Advisory Board of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, currently chairing the Bureau of the Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context. He is the author of a large number of publications in English, French and Greek on EU politics and law. George Kremlis has been the ambassador of the European Organization for Public Law for Bulgaria for a few days now.
