At the beginning of May, a key working meeting dedicated to the development of international cooperation in higher education took place in Malta. The visit was organized and logistically supported by Study in Bulgaria Ltd..

The Bulgarian delegation included Anastas Gerdzhikov, serving as Ambassador of Bulgarian Higher Education to the Ministry of Education and Science, alongside the representatives of the management of four leading Bulgarian universities:

• University of National and World Economy
• National Sports Academy
• Agricultural University – Plovdiv
• Burgas University “Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov” (also shared the event on their Facebook page!)

During the visit, the delegation held discussions with Dario Silvestri, Director of ACS and MED College, regarding opportunities for cooperation through franchise education and joint academic programs. The discussions focused on expanding access to internationally recognized education and creating new pathways for student mobility between Bulgaria and Malta.

At a meeting with Clifton Grima, Malta’s Minister for Education and Sport, the Bulgarian representatives received official assurance of full governmental support for strengthening educational partnerships between the two countries. This endorsement marks an important step toward long-term academic collaboration.

The delegation also toured the modern facilities of the Maltese colleges and explored the successful cooperation model between ACS and Medical University – Plovdiv, starting from 2025. The initiative was presented as an example of effective international educational partnership and innovation in higher education delivery.

This strategic partnership aims to provide young Europeans and prospective students from third countries with greater access to high-quality education, internationally connected study programs, and modern learning environments. The collaboration is expected to strengthen academic ties between Bulgaria and Malta while opening new opportunities for student exchange, joint degrees, and cross-border educational initiatives.