Bulgaria’s University of National and World Economy (UNWE) has been designated as an IAEA Collaborating Centre for capacity building in nuclear security. In 2025, 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.
Under the four-year agreement, UNWE will continue to offer an international master’s programme in nuclear security and carry out activities as a Nuclear Security Support Centre. The new Collaborating Centre will host international meetings, training courses and workshops on small modular reactors SMRs, 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 UNWE Rector Dimitar Dimitrov. “As a Collaborating Centre, UNWE will continue to advance education, applied research and institutional cooperation in alignment with global standards.”
Karine Herviou, IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Nuclear Safety and Security said the designation of UNWE as an IAEA Collaborating Centre “builds on a long-standing cooperation and makes it a strategic partner for the IAEA”. She added: “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.”
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.
In 2025, two other new Collaborating Centres for nuclear security were designated in Canada and France, and three extension agreements were signed with centres in China, Japan and Morocco. The total number of active Collaborating Centres for nuclear security now stands at 15.
