FORUM HIGHER EDUCATION, AGRICULTURE AND TOURISM

The event will be held on 15.10.2025 at 09:00 till 19:00 in the conference hall of the „John von Neumann“ University, Kecskemet

FORUM ECONOMIC AND INDUSTRY 

The event will be held on 16.10.2025 at 09:00 till 13:35 the conference hall of the „John von Neumann“ University, Kecskemet

FORUM HIGHER EDUCATION, AGRICULTURE AND TOURISM

Мoderator – Mr. Zoltán Árvai – communication manager of Foundation of John von Neumann University

09:00-09:30 – Registration, coffee and networking

09:30-09:35 – Opening of the event Mr. Dr. habil Tamás Fülöp – Rector of John von Neumann University.

09:35-09:45 - Welcome remarks – Ambassador Polendakov – to be confirmed further

09:45 – 09:55 – Dr. Yordan Bochkov - Honorary Consul of Bulgaria in Hungary.

09:55 – 10:05 – Mr. József Gaal – President of the Chamber of Commerce andIndustry of Bács-Kiskun County

HIGHER EDUCATION PANEL

10:05-10:20 – Welcome words and presentation of higher education in Bulgaria - Minister Krasimir Valchev or Deputy Minister of Education Academician Nikolay Vitanov - online.

10:20 - 10:40 – Presentation of Hungarian higher education /effects of the change in the model/ Dr. Béla Merkely - Chairman of the Hungarian Rectors' Conference.

10:40 – 11:00 – Opportunities for cooperation with Bulgarian higher education institutions /“Pannonia“ program, scientific cooperation, joint doctoral programs, student exchange, double diploma system/ Prof. Miglena Temelkova, Chairwoman of the

Council of Rectors in Bulgaria - in person.

11:00-11:20 – Presentation of the „Pannonia“ Scholarship Program – Mr. Richárd Bodrogi director of Tempus Public Foundation (TPF) is a non-profit organization established in

1996 by the Hungarian Government, with the task of managing international cooperation programmes and special projects in the field of education, training and EU-related issues.

11:20 – 12:15 – Coffee break / lunch

AGRICULTURE PANEL

12:15 - 12:30 – Addressing the Current Challenges in Bulgarian Agriculture: Innovation and Modernization – Prof. Dimitar Grekov – National Agency for Assessment and Accreditation, former Minister of Agriculture - in person.

12:30-12:40 – Dr. Tímea Kiss – vice dean, Faculty of Horticulture and Rural Development, „John von Neumann“ University.

12:40– 13:00 – Water management, irrigation in Bulgarian agriculture, climate adaptation. Prof. Krasimira Staneva – Rector of the „Varna University of Management“ - online.

13:00-13:20 – Water management, irrigation in Hungarian agriculture, climate adaptation, drought, opportunities for urban adaptation to climate change through the examples of

Kecskemét, Associate Professor Dr. Edith Hoyk, Faculty of Horticulture and Rural Development, „John von Neumann“ University.

TOURISM PANEL

13:20-13:30 – City tourist routes – Nikolay Kostov – tourist attaché, Ministry of Tourism - online.

13:30 – 13:40 - Belogradchik and the stars of Eger – Mr. Boyan Minkov – Mayor of the town of Belogradchik - online.

13.40-14.00 – Samokov City – tourism and opportunities for innovative living – Mr. Angel

Dzhorgov – Mayor /awaiting confirmation/.

14.00 – 14.15 – Introducing the touristic potential of the Kecskemét and it’s region and the establishment of the Tourism and Hospitilaty department at the John von  Neumann University – Dr. József Kárpáti dean of the Faculty of Business and Economics

14:15 – 14:30 - Closing words – Nevena Stoyanova – Commercial Attaché at the Bulgarian Embassy in Hungary.

14.30 – 14.45 – Closing words – Dr. habil Fülöp Tamás rector of John von Neumann University

14.45 – 15.00 Coffee break .

15.00 – 15.30 Guided tour of the temporary exhibition of Kossuth Award winning photographer Baghet Iskander by the curator Kitti Árvai-Józsa (opening ceremony will be held on Monday, October 13.th)

15.30 END OF OFFICIAL PROGRAM AT THE CAMPUS OF JOHN VON NEUMANN UNIVERSTY SOCIAL PROGRAM (together with the participants of business forum)

16.00-17.00 Visit Kecskemét City Hall exhibition center

19.00- Diner at Kecskeméti Csárda

FORUM ECONOMIC AND INDUSTRY 

Мoderator – Nevena Stoyanova

09:00 – 09:30 Registration, coffee

09:30 – 09:35 Opening Remarks – Nevena Stoyanova, Economic and Commercial Counsellor, Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria, Budapest

09:35 – 09:40 Welcome Address – Tamás Fülöp, Rector, John von Neumann University, Kecskemét

09:40 – 09:45 – Mr. József Gaal – President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Bács-Kiskun County

09:45 – 09:55 Welcome Address – Deputy Minister – Doncho Barbalov Ministry of Economy and Industry, Sofia – online.

09:55 – 10:05 Welcome Address – Mr. Polendakov - Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria, Budapest /awaits confirmation/.

10:05 – 10:20 Overview of Economic and Business Relations between Bulgaria and Hungary – Nevena Stoyanova, Economic and Commercial Counsellor

10:20 – 10:35 Cvetan Simeonov, President, Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (subject to prior confirmation, expected to attend in person). /awaits confirmation/

10:35 – 10:55 Zemniczky Nándor - Commercial attaché at the Hungarian Embassy in Bulgaria.

10:55 – 11:10 Development of High Technology and the IT Sector in Bulgaria Ms. Mira Yosifova – Director of the Directorate "Policies and Analyses" Ministry of Innovation and Growth – online.

11:10 – 11:20 Investment Opportunities in High Value-Added and Sustainable Development Sectors in Bulgaria – Bulgarian Investment Agency, Sofia. /awaits confirmation/.

11:20 – 11:40 Investment Opportunities in Bulgarian Industrial Parks – Mr. Angel Tenev – Executive Director of the National Company for Industrial Zones - online.

11: 40 – 12:30 Coffee Break / Lunch, Networking

12:30 – 12:45 Shortening of the supply chains between Asia and Central Europe - opportunities of the port of Burgas. - /awaits confirmation/.

12:45 – 12:55 Brief Presentation of Existing and Functioning Joint Projects Between

Hungarian and Bulgarian Companies – Nevena Stoyanova.

12:55 – 13:10 Presentation of working with Bulgarian companies and the Bulgarian market through the eyes of Hungarian companies – Abraziv.

13:10 – 13:25 The town of Samokov - a business environment and innovative life opportunities - Mayor Mr. Angel Dzhorgov.- /awaits confirmation/.

13:25 – 13:35 Closing Remarks – Nevena Stoyanova