Burgas State University "Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov" and Trakya University in Edirne discussed a wider partnership in medicine, education and science. At a meeting in Burgas, the guests invited the university to join a Balkan initiative called "Bridges of Healthcare".
This story follows our earlier report, published on 14 October, on the visit of a Trakya University delegation to the "St. Anastasia" children's hospital.
The two rectors, Prof. Dr. Sotir Sotirov and Prof. Dr. Mustafa Hatipler, met at the university. Burgas mayor Dimitar Nikolov and Tolga Orkun, consul general of the Republic of Turkey in Burgas, attended. Lecturers and researchers from both universities took part, and doctors and medical specialists came with the Turkish delegation.
Prof. Hatipler presented "Bridges of Healthcare", which seeks lasting ties between universities and hospitals in the Balkans. The university in Edirne has already signed a protocol with Kosovo's Ministry of Health, and an agreement with Bosnia and Herzegovina is ready. Talks with North Macedonia and Albania are well advanced.
"Borders are only a wire stretched between two stones," Prof. Hatipler said. He said there are no differences between the two peoples because all come from one geographic region. He wants cooperation between Burgas University and Trakya University to become a model for partnership in the Balkans. "Geography is destiny, and our shared destiny must be tied to goodness, peace, friendship and cooperation," the rector added.
Prof. Dr. Sedat Üstündağ, deputy rector of Trakya University, proposed that the two universities work together on genetic research and molecular pathology. He also wants specialists in Burgas and Edirne to have direct contact, so they can share knowledge and experience.
The guests also offered researchers from Burgas University the chance to publish in the international Balkan Medical Journal. According to the information presented, it has been in the Q1 category in general medicine for two years.
Prof. Sotirov accepted the proposals and said he is ready to help with them. He said the two universities have had good relations for many years and have results from their joint work. The partnership is going well and can continue with new joint projects, he said. He stressed the value of joint scientific papers and of exchanging experience between experts.
Burgas wants to establish itself as a leading centre of education and medicine, mayor Nikolov said. To this end, the city is investing in university buildings and facilities, in healthcare and in new medical specialities. The mayor praised the experience of Trakya University, above all in pharmacy and dentistry, and spoke of the prospect of expanding medical training in Burgas.
The Edirne delegation's programme also included the "St. Anastasia" children's hospital and the Student Campus in Burgas. The guests will also meet at Burgas Free University.
The two universities are preparing new joint scientific conferences. An autumn medical forum, co-organised by Trakya University, takes place at the end of November.