The University of Rousse has long traditions in education and in carrying out projects on local, national and international levels, among them implemented projects within the CEEPUS and other programs as well as the participation in Erasmus thematic networks and intensive programs. The numbers of implemented programs and projects are: 95 in LLP (ERASMUS, ERSMUS MUNDUS, COMENIUS, MINERVА, LEONARDO da VINCI, GRUNDTVIG), 3 in CEEPUS and 12 in FP6 & FP7, 1 CIR-CE, 3 NATO, etc. The University has a total of 498 academic staff members, including 31 Full Professors and 177 Assoc. Professors, 12 DSc degree holders and 269 PhD degree holders. More than 12 000 students are taught in modern laboratories and classrooms. Establishing the centre for European Integration, International Cooperation and Mobility has strengthened the research and scientific sector of University of Rousse. As a result of its long traditions and the support of the European Union through the TEMPUS programme, all technical courses have been updated and diversified (http://www.uni-ruse.bg/ECTS_package/index_en.php). Also, a wide spectrum of new courses has been introduced in the fields of technology, the humanities, management and economics.
The Pensioners‘ Union 2004
The Pensioners’ Union – 2004 is the biggest organization of older people in Bulgaria at present numbering over 80, 000 members, with local structures in 25 of 29 districts altogether.
The Union has been set up with the aim of protecting the rights and interests as well as the prestige and dignity of senior citizens in Bulgaria who are to be treated equally in our society. They are entitled to adequate medical care and transportation and have their cultural and intellectual needs to be met. The Union is also aiming at certain legislative changes regarding fair social and pension insurance so that our members should be better socially and economically integrated into our society.
Some 7200 seniors belong to our Ruse district organization. Local structures have been set up in all district communities such as 78 societies and clubs and 67 groups for amateur art activities with more than 1000 participants. Our District organization is making every effort to improve the way of life of its members. Traditional festivities and amateur art festivals are being regularly organized. Many seniors enjoy the opportunities for summer recreation. Meetings are common among clubs within the country, as well as with clubs from neighbouring Romania. We have a webpage of our own, a Union logo is yet to be developed.
