Strategy

INTRODUCTION

This strategy presents the vision, priorities and key objectives for the development of the International Business School (IBS) for the period 2021-2027 in line with its core mission. The strategy is in line with important findings and statements of various European and national strategic documents such as: the Europe 2030 Strategy; the Strategy for the Development of Education in the Republic of Bulgaria for the period 2021-2030; the National Strategy for the Development of Scientific Research in the Republic of Bulgaria for the period 2017-2030; the National Map of Education of the Republic of Bulgaria; the National Strategy for Lifelong Learning, etc. It reflects current challenges arising from the external environment as well as the needs for improvement of key elements and processes of the internal functioning of the institutional system. Among them, the main ones are: the management of the education institution; maintaining and improving the quality of the education offered; expanding the portfolio of educational programmes and services; developing research and innovation activities; improving and expanding student recruitment mechanisms; accelerating the digitalization of the educational process and administrative services; enriching the professional training and career development of teachers; accelerating internationalization as well as cooperation with business; stimulating students’ entrepreneurship and supporting carrier orientation of students and etc.

MISSION

The mission of the International Business School is to prepare professionals capable of assuming leadership positions in contemporary national and international business. Through an appropriate blend of modern education, up-to-date research and high social responsibility, the school develops independent individuals who possess critical thinking, creative imagination and flexible skills to apply the knowledge and competencies acquired to successfully implement their ideas, initiatives and goals. In this way, IBS is called upon to contribute to the development and enrichment of national human capital, economy and well-being.

VISION

The vision for the development of IBS until 2027 envisages its transformation into the most innovative and prestigious business school in Bulgaria, with a place among the leading universities in Eastern Europe and distinguished by solid European integration, high international recognition and prestige.

Putting the interests and development of its students and postgraduates at the centre of its activities, by providing a high-tech educational environment, comfortable social conditions and continuous support, the school will become even more attractive to talented young people from home and abroad who wish  to develop their potential and entrepreneurship.

With its initiative and diversified activities, IBS will continue to be a sought-after and preferred partner by educational and scientific institutions, private and public organizations, professional associations and societies for the implementation of joint projects, to continue organizing scientific forums and the implementation of other forms of cooperation.

The school will continue to carry out its activities in accordance with the highest applicable quality standards and in line with current national and European policies, strategies and challenges.

CURRENT CHALLENGES ARISING FROM THE EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT

Among the global challenges that have a direct or indirect impact on the system are: accelerating and difficult to predict labour market dynamics, emergence of new professions and the disappearance of existing ones; increasing role of science and innovation in developing a competitive economy and in solving significant societal problems; accelerated development of digital technologies; expanding digitalization of education, which complement or are an alternative to classical education; intensification of global supply of educational services; change in the role, aims and functions of  education; lack of recognition of the value of the offered education amid obsolete and unbound with the labor market needs curriculums and syllabuses; predominant theoretic preparation, without sufficient possibilities for assimilation of practical skills; lack of compatibility with the needs of the digital generation and with the competencies, needed for successful realization in the conditions of the technologic revolution; insufficient development of research studies as an integral part of the education process; decreasing number of applicants due to the demographic crisis, emigration and choice of  education abroad; highly heterogeneous composition of admitted students due to their different level of preparation and motivation for learning; combining learning with work; low motivation of students to receive standard knowledge in a classical way in an academic hall without opportunities for content personalization; low supply of rapid retraining opportunities and of practically oriented short-term courses that provide quick access to the labor market; difficulties in recruiting, developing and motivating teachers; weak internationalization; complications and obstacles caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, etc.

CURRENT GOALS AND DEMANDS

The need to: adapt to the growing and increasingly diverse labour market requirements for a highly skilled workforce; create a permanent effective mechanism for timely changes in curricula and programmes in view of the dynamic labour market and societal developments; involve practitioners in the joint development and implementation of curricula and programmes with business representatives; focus the educational process on the acquisition of specific skills and competences (including analytical, digital and social); introducing interdisciplinary knowledge and interdisciplinary training; teaching and practicing innovation and entrepreneurship skills and forming an entrepreneurial spirit; developing scientific fields with high innovation potential, cultivating an entrepreneurial educational and business environment; activating scientific and applied activity (especially with project activity – including corporate funding); cultivating an entrepreneurial educational and business environment that supports start-up and growing business ideas; development of mechanisms to stimulate the career development of lecturers, as well as models for differentiated remuneration of their work according to the results of their work (quality of teaching, research work, contribution to the development and promotion of the business school).

These important challenges and needs require the introduction of systemic measures and effective mechanisms in clearly identified priority areas.

PRIORITY AREAS

– Enhancement of educational programmes’ quality and services, offered by periodically updating the content, methods and forms of education;

 – Accelerated modernisation and digitalisation of educational approaches, methods and practices;

– Offering education that supports the personal development and professional realisation of students;

– Developing applied research, innovation and entrepreneurial skills of students and teachers and making research and innovation an integral part of the education process;- Accelerated internationalisation and full integration into European education and research networks;

– Attraction of quality, motivated, young faculty for renewal and development of academic staff;

– Accreditation status Improvement of training programmes and new programmes accreditation;

– Attraction of funds to stimulate research activities through participation in international programs and implementation of projects in collaboration with business;

– Development of partnerships with educational and scientific organizations from Bulgaria and abroad, including offering joint training programs.

MAIN OBJECTIVES:

1. Introduction of sustainable mechanism for updating the existing and creating new curricula and programmes that adequately reflect the real needs of the labour market and prepare graduates more fully for appropriate professional realisation and personal development.
2. Training forms and methods Improvement by enriching educational, methodological and technological educational environment.
3. Educational process organization and efficiency improvement by increasing the effectiveness of the system for maintaining the quality of training, academic staff and research.
4. Internationalization strengthening of IBS and its inclusion in international educational, scientific and professional networks.
5. Creation of conditions for improving the scientific, linguistic and pedagogical qualifications of academic staff and supporting the development of young teachers.
6. Activatation of scientific activity by increasing the publication activity to achieve a international recognition of the institution.
7. Improvement of professional training of students by building an effective link with business and the labour market.
8. IBS’ role enhancement as an active factor of regional development.
9. IBS management improvement and its accreditation status enhancement.
10. Structure and efficiency improvement of school’s activity.

KEY ACTIVITIES SUPPORTING EACH OF THE OBJECTIVES:

1.1. Competency approach establishment as a priority in syllabus and curriculum design and delivery.

1.2. Strengthen the teaching of modern digital technologies and interdisciplinary links in curricula and syllabuses.

 1.3. Strengthening cooperation of IBS with other education institutions, business, professional organizations and government institutions in the discussion of curricula and programmes, practical training and career guidance of students.

2.1. Improvement of standards for quality education in accordance with European experience and traditions.

2.2. Facilities enrichment and increasing financial resources to enable use of highly developed educational and research technologies in teaching and research.

2.3. Use of educational forms, methods and technologies, consistent with the characteristics of the generation of students being trained.

3.1. Enhanced effectiveness of the internal quality management system for the training offered, the research conducted and the development of the academic staff.

 3.2. Ensuring financially efficient educational activities of high quality.

4.1. Establishment of real functioning networks with Bulgarian and foreign universities based on jointly implemented activities.

4.2 Internationalization of the social and educational environment at IBS.

4.3. Stimulation of input and output mobility of teachers, students, doctoral students and administration.

4.4. Creation of prestigious image of IBS abroad.

5.1. Creation of a better age match between faculty and students by attracting more young people as trainers

5.2. Creation of conditions to enhance teaching competencies and research capacity of trainers, focusing on younger ones.

5.3. Creation of even better working conditions and remuneration.

6.1. Stimulation of IBS scientific research activities.

6.2. Improvement of organization of scientific research work.

7.1. Establishment of a system for regular updating of curriculum content in line with the latest developments in science and technology, as well as labour market requirements.

7.2. Activaion of partnership of IBS with employers, secondary schools and other relevant institutions and organizations in educational activities and various forms of continuing education.

7.3. Activation of school’s partnerships with private and public organizations in conducting research.

8.1. Activation of IBS partnerships with the local authorities and organizations of the region in terms of smart specialization and regional development.

9.1. Ensuring academic responsibility and public interest by establishment of a board of trustees for the business school.

9.2. Enhancement of the accreditation status of IBS as well as the results of other forms of external assessment.

10.1. Development of cooperation with other universities in the country and sharing common resources for teaching and research.

ORGANISATION AND CONTROL OF STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION

On the basis of the development strategy, the Rector of IBS shall develop a mandate programme for its implementation with specific objectives, measures and indicators. The operational activity for the implementation of the mandate programme is carried out by the Rector. The Rector prepares documents and proposals for changes in internal regulations, activities and structures for the implementation of the mandate programme, which he submits for consideration and approval by the Community of Founders, the President and the Academic Council, including its updating.

IBS’s President shall monitor the implementation of the strategy and, if necessary, shall make proposals to the Founding Community for its updating. Oversight of the implementation of the mandated programme is carried out operationally by the President of the School and overall by the Founding Community. The Founding Community shall annually review and adopt the Rector’s reports.