16.09.2023
I am one of you. With these words, Prime Minister Acad. Nikolai Denkov addressed the prizewinners of natural sciences international Olympiads and competitions who he met today in his office together with their tutors. He showed the students his medal from the International Chemistry Olympiad held in Linz, Austria in 1980.
The Prime Minister awarded the students and their tutors for their achievements of high results at international Olympiads and competitions held this year. A total of 71 medals were won by Bulgarian boys and girls in the first half of September 2023 as follows: 11 gold, 28 silver and 32 bronze medals. They all and their tutors went home with certificates and badges. The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Education and Science Prof. Galin Tsokov and by the members of the Board of Directors of the Natural Sciences Olympic Teams Association (NSOTA).
As a school student, the Prime Minister was a member of the national chemistry team. His medal features a stylized leaf decorated with synthetic corundum. “It demonstrates the synthesis between nature and technology which drives the progress of humankind together with the human intelligence,” Acad. Nikolai Denkov explained. The Prime Minister congratulated this year’s prizewinners and promised them full support from the government.
“We are proud of your honors. What you have achieved shows that high results can be reached in Bulgarian education when there is inspiration, strong teamwork and training intended to give skills,” Minister Galin Tsokov said. He wished the prizewinners who have graduated from high school to enroll with the universities that are their dreams but then to return to Bulgaria, as the country needs them.
“It is for the first time in the past 20 years that students and tutors feel the support of the government for what they do,” said Alexey Hristov, Chairman of the NSOTA Board of Directors. In his words, the Bulgarian system of talent spotting and encouragement of the development of student potential is unique. The Bulgarian Olympic contenders are trained by university lecturers and by scientists from the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.
