UpDate - Vol. 12, No. 17, Page 2
January 21, 1993
USAID grant extends University-Bulgarian cooperation

     Educational and research links between the University of Delaware and
Bulgaria, originating with a student exchange program begun in the late
1980s, continue today.
     The University was awarded a second one-year grant for a total of
$2.61 million from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
Under this grant, the University offers economics education, management and
English instruction in Bulgaria.
     "The University of Delaware is the main academic presence in Bulgaria,
although some other U.S. institutions have programs," Lawrence Donnelley,
associate provost for international programs and special sessions, said.
"The continuation of the grant for 1992-93 was an indication of the success
of our program in Bulgaria, which is moving to a free market economy. This
is a time of fundamental change for Bulgaria, and it's an exciting
challenge to be a part of the transition."
     During the first year of the program (1991-92), 29 University of
Delaware faculty-from economics, accounting, business administration,
finance and the English Language Institute (ELI)- taught more than 100
courses to over 2,000 Bulgarian managers, economists, government officials,
faculty, students and journalists. During the current academic year, it is
anticipated that the program will reach an additional 1,000 Bulgarians.
     The program has been conducted at several major cities-Sofia, the
capital; Plovdiv, an agricultural center; Varna, a city on the coast of the
Black Sea, and Gabrovo, located at the heart of the nation. The University
also holds conferences, workships and seminars and has established a
Business and Economics Resource Center in Sofia.
     Also as part of the program, some Bulgarian students come to the U.S.
to study. This occurred last spring, when 15 Bulgarian managers and
entrepreneurs were on the Newark campus to study international business.
They were part of the Spring International Business Institute (SIBI),
sponsored by the College of Business and Economics and ELI. Currently, two
Bulgarians are working toward graduate degrees in the College of Business
and Economics.
     This year, the economics component of the program is targeted to young
economists in Bulgaria, who can apply what they learn to teaching, research
and policy advice. The management component focuses on small and
medium-sized businesses and works with various Bulgarian ministries and
agencies, such as the Agency for Privatization. The English courses,
entitled "English for Specific Purposes," emphasize business English and
reinforce economics and management concepts.
     The University works with U.S. agencies, Donnelley said, and with
volunteers. For example, Curt Hunter, vice president of the Atlanta Federal
Reserve Bank, volunteered to be part of the project. He spent two months in
Bulgaria and assisted in advising Bulgarian officials on commercial and
central banking policies.
     Donnelley notes that, "The Bulgarians have a strong commitment to
education and are eager to apply what they learn to produce tangible
results from Delaware's program."
     Tony Stitt of International Programs and Special Sessions contributed
to this article
                                        -Sue Swyers Moncure