Academy of Economics, Finance, and Entrepreneurship

• Distinction: The Academy of Economics, Finance and Entrepreneurship (AEFE) seeks in its participants and staff the drive and ambition to achieve the highest standards in education, research and the practical application of economic and financial principles.
• Innovation: Adopting new and actively applicable approaches to teaching, learning and problem solving in the rapidly evolving fields of economics, finance and entrepreneurship.
• Multiperspectivity: Providing a curriculum that reflects the global and multifaceted nature of economics and finance, preparing students for international challenges and opportunities.

2. Objective:

• The aim of AEFE is to familiarize participants with some of the main economic theories, how to find, structure and use economic information and its applications for research purposes and activities. The lectures will be held at one-week intervals in order to allow participants sufficient time to successfully assimilate the information provided. During the second half of AEFE, participants are expected to work on their own project on a topic enabling them to directly apply the information learned and assimilated from the lectures. If questions arise, each participant will be encouraged to contact the organizers for assistance before the next class.

3. Dates, duration and schedule:

• Dates:
  • The Academy of Economics, Finance and Entrepreneurship classes will be held on the following dates: 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30 June and 13 July 2024.
  • The lectures on 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30 June 2024 will be held in online format and the final session (13 July) will be held live at Burgas Free University, online participation is also allowed.
• Approximate duration:
  • Lectures: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
• Program and schedule:
  • June 15 – Introduction to macroeconomics
  • June 16 – Introduction to microeconomics
  • June 22 – Introduction to Entrepreneurship
  • June 23 – Finding and processing economic and market information
  • June 29 – Financial Literacy
  • June 30 – Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Economics.

4. Selection of participants and requirements for applicants:

• 20 students from different schools in Bulgaria will be selected to take part in the application process and will be evaluated on objective criteria, including:
  • Strong abilities and skills in mathematics in school and extracurricular spheres – participation and awards in national and international competitions; thoroughly mastered study material in specialized training.
  • Proficiency in English no lower than B2 on the Cambridge scale.
• After a committee reviews the applicants’ documents, an interview will be scheduled for each candidate. At the interview, candidates will be expected to answer two questions related to the field of economics and finance. No prior training is required, but critical thinking and coherence in the formulation of reasoning – although not required, prior knowledge in this field would be helpful to candidates.

5. Expectations and final projects

• Participants have two weeks to prepare their final project before the final presentations on 13 July. On July 13, participants will present their final projects to all other students, and the winner will be selected by a panel of judges made up of AEFE and Burgas Free University (BFU) faculty members.
• The selected winner will get an internship at Expat Capital, where they will have the opportunity to further develop their knowledge and skills with the help of professionals.
• All participants will receive university credits (6 ECTS) from BFU for successful completion of the programme and the possibility of their recognition in their studies.

6. Teaching team

• Introduction to Macroeconomics – Prof. Dr. Maria Neycheva
  • Prof. She is a lecturer at the Centre of Economic and Management Sciences at Burgas Free University. She is a lecturer in macro and microeconomics, managerial economics, economics of multinational corporation. Her research interests and publications, including in prestigious international journals, are mainly in the field of human capital, economics of education, labour market, economic growth and public finance.
  • Academic profile: https://www.bfu.bg/bg/pages/pubs/384?teacher=302.
• Introduction to Microeconomics – Prof. Dr. Diana Sabotinova
  • Prof. Sabotinova is a lecturer at the Centre of Economic and Management Sciences at Burgas Free University. She is a lecturer in microeconomics, behavioural economics, world economics and international economic relations. Her research interests and publications are mainly in the field of international production and trade, demographic policies, intercultural management. Prof. Sabotinova has significant and prestigious experience as a lecturer in European universities.
  • Academic profile: https://www.bfu.bg/bg/pages/pubs/384?teacher=168.
• Introduction to Entrepreneurship – Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vilyana Ruseva
  • Assoc. Rousseva is a lecturer at the Centre of Economic and Management Sciences at Burgas Free University. She teaches courses in entrepreneurship and business planning, marketing and tourism. Her scientific interests and publications are predominantly in the field of entrepreneurship, management consulting, human resource management and marketing. Assoc. Rousseva actively works on scientific and educational projects and programs with national and international funding.
  • Academic profile: https://www.bfu.bg/bg/pages/pubs/384?teacher=932.
• Finding and Processing of Economic and Market Information – Assoc. Prof. Dr. Atanas Luizov
  • Assoc. Luizov is a lecturer at the Centre of Economic and Management Sciences at Burgas Free University. He is a lecturer in the basics of marketing, marketing research, communication policy, integrated marketing communications, sales management. His scientific publications are mainly on marketing communications, sales promotion and marketing research. Assoc. Luizov also has significant practical experience in conducting market and marketing research.
  • Academic profile: https://www.bfu.bg/bg/pages/pubs/384?teacher=180.
• Financial Literacy – Assoc. Prof. Galina Stoyanova
  • Assoc. Stoyanova is a lecturer at the Centre of Economic and Management Sciences at Burgas Free University. She teaches lecture courses in accounting, finance and insurance. Her research interests and publications are mainly on the problems of accounting models and information assurance in the insurance sphere, insurance services and insurance fraud. Assoc. Stoyanova also has extensive prestigious managerial experience in the financial and insurance sector.
  • Academic profile: https://www.bfu.bg/bg/pages/pubs/384?teacher=933.
• Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Economics – Assoc. Prof. Dr. Penka Georgieva
  • Assoc. П. Georgieva is a lecturer at the Centre of Informatics and Technical Sciences at Burgas Free University. She is a lecturer in mathematical analysis, numerical methods, theoretical foundations of mathematics, artificial intelligence, logical systems of artificial intelligence, uncertainty modeling. Her research interests and publications, including in prestigious international journals, are mainly related to fuzzy systems, genetic algorithms, hybrid AI models, financial market modeling.
  • Academic profile: https://www.bfu.bg/bg/pages/pubs/385?teacher=134.