Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) is expanding its research collaboration across Europe through a partnership with the University of Ruse “Angel Kanchev”, Bulgaria.
During the visit from 16 to 24 May 2026, conducted under the University of Ruse's research programme focusing on intelligent cyber-physical systems and spatial visualisation technologies, the UTP delegation participated in scientific research workshops, seminars, technical discussions, and meetings with researchers and academic leaders from the University of Ruse.
The discussions provided a platform for both institutions to exchange research expertise and explore collaboration in multidisciplinary areas, including artificial intelligence, 3D reconstruction, digital twins, intelligent cyber-physical systems, image processing, brain signal analysis, and agentic AI.
UTP representatives also presented their current research activities and ongoing projects while exploring opportunities for joint scientific publications, co-authored research outputs, specialised technical training, international research grants, and postgraduate initiatives such as long-term PhD research attachments, joint supervision arrangements, and cotutelle or dual-degree opportunities.
A key highlight of the visit was a meeting with the University of Ruse Rector, Prof Dr Desislava Atanasova, together with members of the university's scientific research leadership. The meeting focused on strengthening institutional cooperation through academic exchange, joint research initiatives, and broader engagement with European academic and research networks.
As part of the visit, the University of Ruse signed a Memorandum of Understanding with UTP, paving the way for future collaboration in research and scientific development, postgraduate training, academic mobility, institutional internationalisation, and strategic partnership development.
The collaboration is expected to support joint research proposal development, expanded indexed publications, collaborative technical training programmes, sustained postgraduate mobility, PhD co-supervision, future student exchange initiatives, visiting professor opportunities, and enhanced access to European funding platforms such as Erasmus+, Horizon Europe, and other international funding schemes.
The partnership lays the foundation for long-term collaboration in research, innovation, postgraduate development, and academic exchange, while creating new opportunities for joint initiatives and access to international research funding.
