On May 9, 2025, a working meeting was held between the research teams of Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” and Tongji University, Shanghai, in connection with the implementation of the bilateral project No. КП-06-ИП Китай / 4 from December 16, 2024. The project is titled “Innovative Solutions for Energy and Product Recovery from Biodegradable Waste” and is funded by the National Science Fund at the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Bulgaria.

The lead organization is Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, through the Center of Competence “Clean Technologies for Sustainable Environment – Water, Waste, Energy for a Circular Economy” (Clean&Circle). The center was established under the Operational Programme “Science and Education for Smart Growth (OP SESG)” and is operating under the sustainability framework provided by the National Plan for Investments in Research, Innovation, and Digitalization for Economic Transformation (NPIRIDET).

The project focuses on the development, application, and verification of innovative technological solutions aimed at optimizing and accelerating the production of biogas and other high-value products from biodegradable waste. The approach is interdisciplinary, combining expertise in environmental technologies, chemical engineering, microbiology, and energy management.

During the meeting, the teams outlined and planned the following joint activities for the next project phase:

• Conducting collaborative applied research in the field;

• Preparing and publishing joint scientific articles in international open-access journals;

• Developing interactive educational tools and modules for students and PhD candidates, reflecting the latest advancements in circular economy, waste management, and sustainable water technologies;

• Introducing “learning by doing” practices into the curriculum by directly involving students in ongoing research and innovation activities.

The creation of such educational resources is expected to contribute significantly to the practical application of scientific results and to the training of future professionals equipped with critical thinking and the skills required for a transition toward a sustainable, low-carbon, and resource-efficient economy.

This meeting reinforced the strong foundation of cooperation between the two universities and opened new opportunities for future scientific and educational initiatives that serve both society and the environment.

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