Varna: Steps are being taken to launch the first Bulgarian academic satellite, said Flotilla Admiral Prof. Boyan Mednikarov who heads the Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy in Varna. He was speaking during the official opening of the new academic year at the Naval Academy on Monday. Mednikarov said that the Academy is partnering with the Physics Faculty of Sofia University and the Higher Air Force School on this project. The Academy will also open a Master's programme in Space Engineering and Technologies, in partnership with the leading Bulgarian company Endurosat. Mednikarov noted that the Academy is practically starting to prepare a new generation of engineers who will play a key role in the development of space technology and industry, as well as in ensuring the defense and security of Bulgaria. 'Today, more than ever, knowledge is power, but our mission as an academy is not only to impart knowledge, but also to create the future leaders of the armed forces and the entire industry, to build their abilitie s for critical thinking, creativity and innovation', he pointed out. Mednikarov specified that about 930 first-year students will start their studies in 14 programmes in Bulgarian and in English in 2024. He emphasized that in a world that is changing swiftly, the team of the Academy must prepare young people to be ready for careers that do not exist yet. Among the guests of the event were caretaker Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov, Varna Regional Governor Andriyana Andreeva, Rear Admiral Kiril Mihailov, as well as representatives of the local government and the maritime business. The Varna Naval Academy is one of the leading universities in the world and a benchmark for a successful educational model, Zapryanov said. He recalled that the current academic year opens at a very special moment, as the long-time head of the academy, Prof Mednikarov, will hand over the position to the newly appointed Kalin Kalinov. Zapryanov congratulated the young cadets and students who chose to study at the academy, whose d egrees are directly recognised in many countries around the world, including traditional maritime countries such as Japan. Source: Ghana News Agency