About the cooperation
Representatives of the University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy – Sofia visited the University of Vaasa, Finland, from September 23 to 27, 2025, as part of a business trip aimed at strengthening international cooperation and exchange of good practices in the field of technology transfer, additive technologies, and digital innovations. During the visit, a series of meetings were held with the management and academic staff of the University of Vaasa, as well as with representatives of local industry and innovation ecosystem.
The visit began with a tour of the additive technologies and 3D printing laboratories at the Tehnobothnia research center and a meeting with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Raiko Toshev and Assoc. Prof. Jani Boutellier from the School of Technology and Innovations at the University of Vaasa. The official meeting with the dean of the faculty, Raine Hermans, was also of great importance. During the meeting, the following topics were discussed: opportunities for expanding and deepening the existing partnership between UCTM and the University of Vaasa; the launch of the new master’s program at UCTM, in which Assoc. Prof. Raiko Toshev will be a guest lecturer; the potential for participation in new joint projects. Special attention was paid to the project already submitted, in which UCTM is a partner: “Advanced manufacturing technologies for leadership of EU manufacturers in products for the net-zero industry (Made in Europe Partnership) (IA) HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-TWIN-TRANSITION-05.”
Particularly fruitful were the discussions with Philipp Holtkamp and John Seiplax, heads of the Technology Transfer and Innovation Office at the University of Vaasa. The meeting provided a detailed overview of the University’s mechanisms for supporting start-ups, accelerator programs, and initiatives for commercializing scientific developments. Models for building an entrepreneurial ecosystem similar to the Vaasa Startup Factory—a university ecosystem for students, startups, researchers, and innovators—were discussed.
During the visit, meetings were also held with representatives of Robocoast EDIH. Visits were made to Wärtsilä, the largest ship engine manufacturing plant, as well as fuel and engine laboratories at the University of Vaasa. The discussions highlighted the importance of digital innovation, robotization, and sustainable manufacturing processes for the future development of the industry.
Members of the UCTM team took part in the “Clusters meet Regions – Vaasa, Finland” conference (24 September – 25 September, 2025), where representatives of the European Commission outlined new opportunities for financing innovative projects, cluster initiatives, and industrial partnerships. The event provided an opportunity to establish new contacts and exchange experience with European partners.
The visit to Vaasa confirmed the position of UCTM as an active partner in the European network for scientific and technological exchange and laid the foundations for new forms of cooperation in the field of innovation, technology transfer, and industrial transformation.
Representatives of the University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy – Sofia visited the University of Vaasa, Finland, from September 23 to 27, 2025, as part of a business trip aimed at strengthening international cooperation and exchange of good practices in the field of technology transfer, additive technologies, and digital innovations. During the visit, a series of meetings were held with the management and academic staff of the University of Vaasa, as well as with representatives of local industry and innovation ecosystem.
The visit began with a tour of the additive technologies and 3D printing laboratories at the Tehnobothnia research center and a meeting with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Raiko Toshev and Assoc. Prof. Jani Boutellier from the School of Technology and Innovations at the University of Vaasa. The official meeting with the dean of the faculty, Raine Hermans, was also of great importance. During the meeting, the following topics were discussed: opportunities for expanding and deepening the existing partnership between UCTM and the University of Vaasa; the launch of the new master’s program at UCTM, in which Assoc. Prof. Raiko Toshev will be a guest lecturer; the potential for participation in new joint projects. Special attention was paid to the project already submitted, in which UCTM is a partner: “Advanced manufacturing technologies for leadership of EU manufacturers in products for the net-zero industry (Made in Europe Partnership) (IA) HORIZON-CL4-INDUSTRY-2025-01-TWIN-TRANSITION-05.”
Particularly fruitful were the discussions with Philipp Holtkamp and John Seiplax, heads of the Technology Transfer and Innovation Office at the University of Vaasa. The meeting provided a detailed overview of the University’s mechanisms for supporting start-ups, accelerator programs, and initiatives for commercializing scientific developments. Models for building an entrepreneurial ecosystem similar to the Vaasa Startup Factory—a university ecosystem for students, startups, researchers, and innovators—were discussed.
During the visit, meetings were also held with representatives of Robocoast EDIH. Visits were made to Wärtsilä, the largest ship engine manufacturing plant, as well as fuel and engine laboratories at the University of Vaasa. The discussions highlighted the importance of digital innovation, robotization, and sustainable manufacturing processes for the future development of the industry.
Members of the UCTM team took part in the “Clusters meet Regions – Vaasa, Finland” conference (24 September – 25 September, 2025), where representatives of the European Commission outlined new opportunities for financing innovative projects, cluster initiatives, and industrial partnerships. The event provided an opportunity to establish new contacts and exchange experience with European partners.
The visit to Vaasa confirmed the position of UCTM as an active partner in the European network for scientific and technological exchange and laid the foundations for new forms of cooperation in the field of innovation, technology transfer, and industrial transformation.
