Burgas Delegation visits Area Science Park
Area Science Park hosted a delegation from the City of Burgas, Bulgaria, involved in the development of the Burgas Innovative Student and Scientific Campus, an ambitious project aimed at creating an integrated hub for education, research, innovation and technology transfer in South-Eastern Bulgaria. The visit took place as part of a capacity-building programme designed to explore experiences and best practices in the planning and management of innovation ecosystems.
The delegation, led by the Mayor of Burgas, Dimitar Nikolov, and representatives of the Burgas 2032 Foundation, met with Area Science Park experts to gain insight into the key elements that define a science and technology park, including governance models, infrastructure development, sustainability, innovation support services, the management of advanced technological infrastructures, and research valorisation.
During the visit, participants were introduced to the evolution of Area Science Park, its organisational model, and its role within the regional research and innovation system. Particular attention was devoted to scientific and digital infrastructures, services for companies and startups, and data engineering and artificial intelligence activities supported by the ORFEO Data Centre.
The Burgas project, supported by the European Investment Bank (EIB), envisages the creation of a shared, multidisciplinary campus serving universities, research organisations, students, researchers and innovative companies. The project is currently at an advanced stage of development: construction works are underway and the campus is expected to open in 2028.
The visit concluded with a tour of the Padriciano Campus and its main facilities, offering participants a valuable opportunity to engage directly with a well-established model of integration between research, innovation and business. The meeting further confirmed Area Science Park’s role as a leading European partner for knowledge- and innovation-driven territorial development initiatives.