Sustainability policies

The Strategy for Sustainable Development outlines the key steps for achieving sustainability and integrating its principles into the educational and research activities of the Technical University – Sofia.

It identifies the key sectors directly and indirectly impacted by the university’s activities and defines the measures and approaches necessary to achieve sustainable development goals.

The commitment of all stakeholders is emphasized as a crucial prerequisite for fostering economic growth while ensuring societal well-being and preserving environmental balance.

The Strategy for the Development of the Technical University of Sofia has been developed in accordance with key strategic documents at the national and European levels, including “Sustainable Europe.”

The affirmation of the university’s economic role and the strengthening of its social responsibility are the key objectives outlined in the document.

The main tasks defined in the document are as follows: ensuring the supply of professionals for the economy; improving job opportunities for people from vulnerable groups and disadvantaged individuals; developing socially responsible science for the benefit of society; maintaining a high level of quality in education; and deepening partnerships with both national and international scientific and educational organizations, as well as with business representatives.

The Strategy defines the priority areas of scientific research for the period from 2016 to 2025, including studies in the healthy living industry and biotechnology. Clean technologies, particularly in transportation and energy, represent another key area of scientific interest supported by the university. This includes energy storage, conservation, and efficient distribution; eco-mobility; zero-waste technologies; and methods for integrating waste products and materials from one production process into others.

The Ethical Code regulates the behavioral norms for both academic and non-teaching staff at the University. Its purpose is to foster a positive atmosphere and build an organizational culture that encourages good interaction with students and the public. The Ethical Code outlines the rules of interaction within the University and establishes criteria for maintaining a high level of academic ethics, with a focus on creating a sense of social responsibility and promoting good practices in collaboration with business.

The Policy is developed as part of the implementation of the Gender Equality Plan for the period 2022–2026, representing a step toward achieving Goal 5 “Achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls” of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

It is based on the principles of equal opportunities for women and men. In this regard, it outlines measures to ensure equal access to the university’s resources, equal treatment, and the prevention of discrimination and violence, as well as balanced gender representation in governing bodies and the elimination of stereotypes.

The main tasks outlined in the document include achieving gender equality in the workplace and fostering sensitivity among academic staff, university employees, and students regarding issues of discrimination and violence.

The Policy is developed in accordance with the Sustainable Development Strategy. Its goal is to enhance the efficiency of the public procurement management process.

The document defines the necessary measures to maximize economic benefits while reducing risks and minimizing harmful impacts on the community and the environment.

Additionally, the Policy outlines guidelines for the allocation of financial resources, emphasizing transparency, efficiency, publicity, and continuous improvement in public procurement management.

The “Guidelines” present a formulation of the ethical principles and values recommended for conducting scientific research. Adhering to these principles is essential for ensuring high quality and reliability in scientific research. The values outlined in the document serve as the foundation for ethical behavior, recognized by the scientific community as a model of internal organizational culture and a framework for self-regulation.

The system defines the criteria for high-quality education and scientific research, which are in accordance with National and European standards for higher education and scientific achievements. Methods and measures for maintaining a high level of education and research are outlined in the document.