BSU and French University Unite for AI and Ecology: Pomorie Becomes Innovation Testbed

Burgas State University (BSU) “Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov” begins cooperation with the University of Angers, France. The two higher education institutions will partner in the field of artificial intelligence and ecology. During a working meeting in Burgas, the Rector of BSU Prof. Dr. Sotir Sotirov and Prof. Maxime Pontié from the higher education institution in Angers outlined a plan for the implementation of intelligent systems to monitor in real time the purity of water basins in the region, the Burgas educational institution announced. 

At the center of the partnership is the project “i-MERMAID”, aimed at the protection of ecosystems in Pomorie. Through it, innovative electrochemical sensors will be applied, capable of capturing dangerous micro-pollutants and pharmaceutical products, which traditional methods often miss. The data from these sensors will be processed by the supercomputers of BSU in the Center for Excellence “UNITE”, which allows for very fast analysis and forecasting of environmental risks.

In addition to a technological breakthrough, the visit of the French team also marks the beginning of a new educational line for students in Burgas. It is planned to create joint master's and doctoral programs, as well as expanded exchange of staff under the “Erasmus+” program. Thus, young specialists from Burgas will have the opportunity to work directly in the laboratories in Angers, mastering the latest French methods in chemistry and sensor technology. Prof. Maxime Pontié presented some of these technologies to the Burgas academic community, demonstrating how modified carbon can become a powerful weapon against water pollution. His visit, initiated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Yemendzhiev, is part of the activity of the Competence Center “Clean&Circle”, which aims to turn Burgas into a leader in the circular economy and clean technologies.

BTA recalls that last year the Burgas higher education institution hosted the international artificial intelligence conference FQAS 2025 and concluded strategic partnerships with leading industrial enterprises, including “Arsenal” AD. On the eve of the opening of the academic year, Burgas State University “Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov” and the Bulgarian Telegraph Agency (BTA) signed a cooperation agreement. Signatures under the document were put by the Rector of the higher education institution Prof. Dr. Sotir Sotirov and the General Director of BTA Kiril Valchev.