IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Nuclear Safety and Security, Karine Herviou, and Svetoslav Spassov, Director of the Nuclear Support Centre at Bulgaria's University of National and World Economy, signing the agreement at IAEA headquarters on 18 December 2025. (Photo: L. Wang/IAEA)
Bulgaria's University of National and World Economy has been designated as an IAEA Collaborating Centre for capacity building in nuclear security.
"The designation of Bulgaria's University of National and World Economy as an IAEA Collaborating Centre builds on a long-standing cooperation and makes it a strategic partner for the IAEA," said Karine Herviou, IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Nuclear Safety and Security. "We look forward to the implementation of the agreement, which involves expertise, resources and support to enhance education and training capabilities for nuclear security globally."
Under the four-year agreement, the University of National and World Economy (UNWE) will continue to offer an international master's programme in nuclear security and carry out activities as a Nuclear Security Support Centre. In addition, the new Collaborating Centre will host international meetings, training courses and workshops on small modular reactors, nuclear forensics, radiological crime scene management and other nuclear security related topics.
"This partnership will strengthen Bulgaria's role in supporting international nuclear security efforts and contribute to the development of highly qualified specialists in the region," said Dimitar Dimitrov, UNWE's Rector. "As a Collaborating Centre, UNWE will continue to advance education, applied research and institutional cooperation in alignment with global standards," he added.
Last year UNWE celebrated the 10th anniversary of its international master's programme in nuclear security, a milestone confirming its commitment to education in this critical field. Since 2015, the university has developed substantial expertise, educating more than 80 students from 15 countries in close collaboration with the IAEA.
As an IAEA Collaborating Centre, UNWE plans to host annual meetings of the International Network for Nuclear Security Training and Support Centres and the International Nuclear Security Education Network, as well as an international workshop on human resource development in nuclear security programme planning.
IAEA Collaborating Centres for Nuclear Security
The IAEA's Collaborating Centres for nuclear security are institutions, departments or laboratories that support the IAEA's work by providing technical expertise and theoretical and practical training and by undertaking specific research and development activities.
Working in partnership with the IAEA, these centres enhance capacity building efforts in nuclear security at the national, regional and international levels.
In 2025, two other new Collaborating Centres for nuclear security were designated in Canada and France, and two extension agreements were signed with centres in China and Morocco. The total number of active Collaborating Centres for nuclear security now stands at 15.
