On the development of higher shipbuilding education in Bulgaria

Abstract

The current paper provides a detailed historical overview of the emergence and development of the higher shipbuilding education in Bulgaria since the middle of the 20th century. The author has searched and used authentic documentary sources, as well as recollections of former students from that period, while adhering to the maximum when using and quoting the used sources. At the beginning of the paper are mentioned the first vessels and the shipbuilders who have completed their education abroad and laid the foundations of shipbuilding and the higher shipbuilding education in our country. The first lecturers at the newly established Shipbuilding Department at the State University-Varna are briefly listed and 2 photographs of the first students at this department are added, identifying the individuals. Attached is also a list of graduates from the first class and a photo taken at the 50th anniversary of their graduation. The paper notes that, after the closure of the Shipbuilding specialty at the Higher Institute of National Economy-Varna (then) in 1957/58, the same specialty was established in 1959 at the Higher Naval Academy N.Y. Vaptsarov, where after the graduation of 4 classes it was discontinued again. The third establishment of the Shipbuilding Department was in 1962 with the establishing of the Higher Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Institute-Varna. The paper provides a brief analysis of the achievements of the two specialist departments – Shipbuilding and Naval Machines and Mechanisms – in the educational, research and international fields.