American University in Bulgaria (AUBG)

DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGES  When Central and Southeastern Europe embarked on its transition towards a society based on the twin pillars of Democracy and Capitalism, it was quickly realized that the next generation of leaders’ education must be based on these principles. Equally important the ideals of tolerance and diversity must be introduced to help create an environment of peace and stability in which the promises of this great transition could be kept.

USAID INVOLVEMENT  Through the establishment of a $20 million endowment fund, USAID continues a decade and half of support to AUBG. USAID’s current focus is on AUBG achieving its three goals of academic excellence, promoting diversity and tolerance, and becoming financially sustainable. Through technical assistance provided by USAID staff, USAID provides financial and business planning advice to AUBG’s management team.

GOAL  USAID established the American University in Bulgaria (AUBG) with the intent of it developing into a recognized leader in education and a center for diversity and tolerance in Southeast Europe. Recognition of this achievement by regional leaders, educators, employers, parents and students would enable AUBG to become self-sustaining through tuition, fundraising and other ‘for fee’ programs.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION  AUBG is an English language university patterned after American liberal arts education practices. It is a unique institution accredited by both American and Bulgaria standards. Its many interesting features include campus living lifestyle, three English language student newspapers, a college radio station, and a fifteen year history of preparing the region’s students for exciting careers, leadership opportunities at home and graduate school abroad.

College Of Liberal Arts
The main thrust of the AUBG efforts is the College of Liberal Arts (COLA) located in Blagoevgrad in the southwest part of Bulgaria. There are currently 827 students from 27 countries. This year’s freshman class had 243 students from 20 countries.

The students are supported by a faculty of 65 professors. The faculty is a diverse group of Americans, Europeans and Bulgarians providing student with a broad range of perspectives and ideas. The students study a wide variety of majors including: American Studies; Business Administration; Computer Science; Economics; History; Journalism - Mass Communications; Political Science - International Relations; European Studies; Mathematics.

Beyond the excellent education, the resident nature of the University offers a unique opportunity for students to live with their peers from other countries. Together they participate in the many extracurricular activities that make campus living such an important part of the educational experience. Through this sharing of experiences, they build friendships and networks throughout the region that can last a lifetime. 

Elieff Center Programs
The Sofia based Elieff Center gives AUBG a presence in the capital center and access to the country’s largest market for continuing education activities.

Executive Masters of Business Administration
This two year weekend study program offers an adult learning opportunity focused on both theoretical and practical aspects of business management. In just three years the program has graduated 82 students from six different countries.

Center for European Programs
The primary mission of the Center of European Programmes is to help Bulgarian professionals in both the public and private sector in managing Bulgaria’s accession to the European Union. These programs vary from an eight module course on EU structural funds to an annual one week programs on EU program management. Taking together the intent of the programs is to increase the capacity of Bulgarian society to make the transition to EU membership while ensuring that the benefits associated with the EU are felt at all levels of society. 

ACCOMPLISHMENTS  In its short 14-year history, the American University in Bulgaria has demonstrated significant accomplishments most notably as a platform for US foreign policy promoting democracy and free market economies in the former communist nations of Eastern Europe. Specific accomplishments include the following:

• 1571 graduates from 29 different countries; 82 EMBA students.
• Full Independent Accreditation from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (March 28, 2001) effective for 5 years;
• Accreditation by the Bulgarian National Accreditation Agency for Evaluation and Accreditation, effective for 5 years, from June 14, 2001;
• Accreditation of the EMBA Program
• Construction of new residence facilities;
• Integration with the community – economic, cultural and educational impact;
• Leadership in information technology – computing, Internet access and library;
• Successful promotion of interethnic tolerance and multinational cooperation;
• High level of student participation in the democratic structures of the University and its operations;
• Recruitment of outstanding students from the region and a multinational faculty;
• Construction and operation of Elieff Center for Education and Culture in Sofia.

^{Last updated: 2 October 2006}