The Vocational High School of Computer Programming and Innovation in Burgas is getting a new project for its computer science centre of excellence, the school said. It includes hands-on training, courses for teachers and exchanges abroad. Students from other vocational schools in Burgas will also be able to use the centre.

"Over four years, the project will train a total of 255 students from across Bulgaria and 96 teachers," said headteacher Dimitrina Todorova.

Another 715 students from other vocational schools, and from schools with vocational classes, will join extra practical sessions. Ninety-six participants should gain a qualification once they finish.

Training covers three areas: programming, artificial intelligence and robotics. The school will write new teaching materials and update old ones. Top students will get extra classes, international courses and a chance to take part in hackathons, which are programming contests. Teachers will train and share experience. Students and teachers will also go on study trips.

The school will assess the quality of the training and carry out a self-review. It will also track where graduates work, and their feedback will help adapt the classes to what the tech sector needs. The centre will run campaigns to present what it offers and what its participants have achieved.

The project is called "Support for the Centre of Excellence in Computer Science – Burgas" and has the number BG05SFPR001-3.009-0008. The school has signed an administrative contract with the Education Programme Executive Agency. It is funded under the Education 2021-2027 programme, through the procedure "Support for Centres of Excellence in Vocational Education and Training" and the priority "Linking education with the labour market". The grant covers 100% of eligible costs. The project must end by 31 December 2029.

According to the project, the aim is for the centre to grow over the long term through new kinds of hands-on training. Young people should get more practice and training close to real work. The centre's facilities and experience in Burgas should help more people who want to work in IT.

The project was presented at a conference with participants from schools, universities and centres of excellence from across Bulgaria. They talked about cooperation, sharing resources and experience, and partnerships between vocational schools and universities. Marieta Georgieva, the originator of the national programme for the centres, also attended.

Deputy mayor for education, health, social affairs and youth policy Mihail Nenov said the idea of making the centres a driving force for vocational schools was Georgieva's. He said they specialise by region, depending on the local economy, and teach students from across the country in state-of-the-art labs. Nenov expects the conference to bring new partnerships with the other centres, and the idea to grow beyond its original plan.

Prof Sotir Sotirov, rector of Prof Dr Asen Zlatarov University in Burgas, said his university and Burgas Free University want students to get a good education in Burgas and carry on at local universities. Both universities teach computer science, artificial intelligence and new technologies. Zlatarov University has two centres of excellence and three competence centres, where researchers work on bioinformatics and artificial intelligence. Sotirov proposed joint research with the school.

Assoc Prof Kanchev of Burgas Free University said the university will open a new bachelor's programme, "Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence", from next academic year. The National Evaluation and Accreditation Agency has approved it, and the first students will start in September 2027.