The first Bulgarian–Hungarian Rectors’ Forum took place in Samokov on 21 January 2026, bringing together the leadership of higher education institutions from Bulgaria and Hungary, representatives of the academic community, institutions and the diplomatic corps. The event was organized by the Council of Rectors of Higher Education Institutions in Bulgaria, in partnership with the Samokov Regional Development Council, Samokov Municipality, and the Trade and Economic Affairs Office at the Embassy of Bulgaria in Hungary.
Held under the motto “Higher Education – a Key to Innovation and Regional Development”, the forum received wide public and media attention, reinforcing Samokov’s position as a conference destination and formally expressing the ambition for Samokov to become the first city in the Balkan Peninsula to host a branch of a Hungarian university.
During the forum, numerous memoranda of cooperation were signed between Bulgarian and Hungarian higher education institutions, marking an important step toward strengthening bilateral relations in the field of education.
