OUTSTANDING GRADUATES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF FORESTRY DISTINGUISHED SCIENTISTS - ACADEMICIANS AND ASSOCIATE MEMBERS OF THE BULGARIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
Mako Dakov, Academician (1920-2006)
Acad. M. Dakov graduated from the Faculty of Agronomy and Silviculture of the Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” in 1945. The same year he joined the faculty as an Assistant Professor. He defended a candidate (now PhD) thesis in the Moscow Forestry Institute (1949); afterwards he was elected as an Associate Professor (1950) and Professor (1960) in the Higher Institute of Forestry. In 1967 he was elected as an Associate Member of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and in 1981 as Academician. During the period 1978-1988 he was Vice President of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. He was a director of the Institute of Forestry at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (1949 – 1951), Deputy Minister of the Agriculture and Forestry (1957 – 1960), Chairperson of the Committee on Forests and Forest Industry (1962-1966), Minister of Forests and Forest Industry (1966-1971) and Vice President of the Council of Ministers of Bulgaria (1971-1978). He was the Member of Parliament from 1962 until 1990 (IV-IX National Assembly). Acad. Dakov was an author of more than 250 scientific publications – books, monographs, articles and educational materials in the field of forestry science and practice.
Alexander Alexandrov, Academician
Acad. Alexandrov graduated in Forestry in 1961. Having practiced the speciality for a short period of time, he joined the Institute of Forestry (Bulgarian Academy of Sciences) as a research associate. In 1967 he defended a PhD thesis for the degree “Candidate of Agricultural Sciences” (now Doctor) and the degree “Doctor of Agricultural Sciences” in 1984. He is an author of more than 250 scientific and applied science publications in the field of forestry science. He was a member and a chairperson of many specialized scientific councils and scientific committees at the Higher Attestation Commission. In 2007 he became a member of the Presidium of the Higher Attestation Commission. In 1986 he became a 1st Degree Senior Researcher, in 1995 – an Associate Member of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and in 2003 – a Member of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. He was Deputy Director (1986-1988) and Director (1991-1993 and from 2001 until now) of the Institute of Forestry (Bulgarian Academy of Sciences). In 1990 Acad. Alexandrov was elected as the first Minister of the Environment in Bulgaria.
Petko D. Petkov, Academician (1898-1970)
Acad. Petkov graduated in Silviculture from the Faculty of Agronomy and Silviculture at the Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” in 1929. He was an Assistant Professor at the Department of Silviculture of the Faculty of Agronomy and Silviculture at the Sofia University (1931-1932), Professor (1946) at the Faculty of Agronomy and Silviculture – Plovdiv, Dean of the Faculty of Silviculture at the Agricultural Academy “G. Dimitrov” (1948-1951), Professor in the Higher Institute of Forestry (1947). He became an Academician of the Agricultural Academy in 1967. He was an author of more than 80 publications in the field of forest management.
Vasil Stoyanov, Associate Member of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (1887-1971)
Assoc. Member V. Stoyanov graduated in Silviculture (1912) and Geodesy (1915) from the University of Zagreb. After having worked in the forestry and the State vocational school in Sofia, in 1927 he joined the Faculty of Agronomy and Silviculture at the Sofia University as an extraordinary lecturer. He became an Associate Professor in 1930, extraordinary professor in 1934, full-time professor in 1945 and Associate Member of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences in 1947. He was an author of more than 170 publications in the field of forest use, forest management, forest industry, etc.
Boyan Nikolov Rosnev, Associate Member of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
Assoc. member Boyan Rosnev graduated at the University of Forestry in 1992. He defended his Ph.D. thesis in the field of forest genetics in 1967, and later on entered the Forest Research Institute – BAS, where he directed the focus of his interests to the mycology and phytopathology. In 1987 he defended his thesis for the degree “Doctor of Sciences”. Boyan Rosnev was elected as a professor in 1990, and in 2004 he became Associate member of BAS. He published more than 200 papers in the field of forest protection, mycology and phytopathology. Prof. Rosnev served as a chair and member of numerous scientific councils. Currently he is Scientific secretary of the Forest Research Institute – BAS.
STATE OFFICIALS AND MANAGERS
Meglena Plugchieva, Dr.
Dr. Plugchieva graduated in Forestry in 1977. While practicing the speciality she prepared her PhD thesis in Ecology which she defended in 1988. In 1990 she became a Head of Department of International Collaboration at the Forestry Committee at the Council of Ministers. She was a Member of the Parliament in the 37th National Assembly. From 2002 until 2004 she was Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry; from 2004 until 2008 – Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria in Germany. From April 24 2008 until July 2009 she was Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria.
Stefan Yurukov, Associate Professor, Dr.
Dr. Yurukov graduated in Forestry in 1978 and joined the University of Forestry as an Assistant Professor. He defended PhD thesis in 1988 and in 1991 he became an Associate Professor. He was the Head of Department of Dendrology (1994-2003) and Dean of the Faculty of Forestry (2003-2005). In September 2005 he became the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry; from September 2007 until July 2009 – Chairperson of the State Forestry Agency.
Milko Stanchev, Engineer
Eng. Stanchev graduated in Forestry in 1984. He worked in the Forestry Range of Troyan and in the Regional Forestry Board – Lovech. From 1998 until 2001 he was the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry.
Georgy Kostov, Associate Professor, Dr.
Dr. Kostov graduated in Forestry in 1984. After a brief stay in Agrolesproject Ltd., he became a Ph.D. student at the University of Forestry and defended his thesis in 1988. In 1988 he became Assistant Professor and in 1998 - Associate Professor. Since July 2009 he became Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food.
Apart from the listed above graduates of the University of Forestry, there are other prominent graduates working in different spheres of Forestry: eng. Ivan Gruev, Prof. Dr. Tacho Iliev, eng. Stefan Manolov, eng. Lyuben Vanchev, Senior Researcher Doctor of Agricultural Sciences Ivan Raev, eng. Hristo Todorov, eng. Boris Buzov, Dr. Georgi Stenin, Senior Researcher Ivan Marinov, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Velichko Gagov, eng. Valentin Karamfilov, Senior Researcher eng. Miroslav Yakimov, eng. Konstantin Ikonomov, eng. Dobromir Dobrev, eng. Toni Krustev, eng. Iliya Simeonov, etc.
DISTINGUISHED FIGURES IN THE SPHERE OF CULTURE AND ART
Nikolay Haytov, Academician (1919-2002) – a writer
Acad. Haytov graduated in Silviculture in 1946. Until 1955 he worked as a forester in different forestry ranges in the Rhodopi Mountains and in Rila. Later he dedicated his life to writing. He is considered one of the most popular Bulgarian writers in the second half of the 20th century. He wrote more than 15 books, such as “Wild Stories”, which were translated into 22 languages and published more than 50 times abroad and in Bulgaria. He wrote the screenplays for a number of movies and some of them, for example “The Goat Horn”, enjoyed international recognition. Mr. Haytov became a Member of the Union of Writers in Bulgaria in 1959 and he was elected its chairperson from 1993 till 1999. In 1997 he was elected a Full Member of Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (Academician). Acad. Haytov was awarded the Highest State Order of the Republic of Bulgaia – the Order of Stara Planina – 1st class (2000).
Rumen Skorchev, Professor – an artist
Prof. Skorchev graduated in Landscape Architecture in 1957 and then he graduated from the National Academy of Art. He is one of the most popular graphic artists and illustrators of books in Bulgaria. He is a winner of more than 40 prestigious international and national awards. Since 1948 he has been elected a professor in the National Academy of Art.
Pavel Kurshumov, Engineer (1934-1984) – an opera singer
Eng. Kurshumov graduated in Forestry in 1961, but dedicated his career to the opera. He specialized opera singing with Prof. Mari Brandt in Austria. Since 1965 he was a soloist at Stefan Makedonski Musical Theatre and at the Sofia National Opera. He toured around a number of opera theatres in Europe, Canada, Cuba, USA, Japan, etc.
Georgi Cholakov, Engineer – an opera singer
Eng. Cholakov graduated in Forestry in 1959. In 1964 he graduated from the Academy of Music. He won a competition for young opera singers (1965) and joined the Sofia National Opera. For more than 25 years he has been a singer at the Duesseldorf Opera in Germany.
Apart from the above listed distinguished figures in the sphere of art and culture there are many others that deserve appreciation:
- Writers and publicists: eng. Dimitar Dobrevski, eng. Marin Batenberski, eng. Atanas Georgiev, eng. Nikolai Yordanov, eng. Yordan Chalakov, eng. Georgi Stoev, Dr. Hristos Petrov, eng. Mircho Mirchev, Dr. Emil Markov, Prof. Valentin Tsolov, Dr. Raycho Gunchev;
- Eng. Ilko Slavchev – a poet;
- Artists: Assoc. Prof. Zhivko Arabov, eng. Hatum Kadum, eng. Elena Stoyanova, eng. Lyubomir Popov, eng. Iliya Paskov, eng. Gancho Cholakov, eng. Alexander Dimitrov, eng. Eduard Penkov, eng. Radoi Gerdov, eng. Lyudmil Tsvetkov, eng. Valentin Urukov, eng. Anatoli Stankulov, eng. Mitko Petrov, eng. Velislav Minev, landscape architect Veselin Shahunov, eng. Georgi Petrov;
- Eng. Teodosi Popov - director;
- Eng. Martin Bogdanov (well-known as Martin Karbovski) – a journalist;
- Composers and musicians: eng. Valentin Penzov, eng. Andrey Koralov, eng. Tsvetan Popov, eng. Dimitar Veznev, eng. Georgi Lazarov, Dr. Boris Puhalev, eng. Zdravko Hristov.
DISTINGUISHED FIGURES IN THE SPHEPRE OF SPORTS
Lyudmil Yankov, Engineer (1953-1988) – a mountaineer
Eng. Yankov graduated in Landscape Architecture in 1979. Honorary Master of Sports, he was conferred the Honorary Title Hero of the People’s Republic of Bulgaria. He was on of the heroes from the expedition EVEREST – 84 where he distinguished himself with the exceptional will and dedication in the attempt to save Hristo Prodanov, survived after having spent a night at altitude of 8500 m. He wrote poems, essays and the book Beyond the Valley. He was an Honorary Citizen of the town of Kyustendil. He died in a tragic accident in 1988 during the training of the national Alpine climbing team.
Victor Radev, Engineer – basketball
Eng. Radev graduated in Mechanical Wood Technology in 1962. Participant in the Olympic Games in Melbourne (1956 - fifth) and Rome (1960). Champion of the World Student Games (1957). Multifold national champion with the team of Academic – Sofa.
Ermila Popova, Engineer – basketball
Eng. Popova graduated in Mechanical Wood Technology in 1962. Participant in the Olympic Games, European and Balkan Championships. Champion of Bulgaria with the team of Academic – Sofia.
Petar Pankov, Engineer – cross-country skiing
Eng. Pankov graduated in Mechanical Wood Technology in 1967. Later he graduated from the National Academy of Sports. Participant in three winter Olympic Games, bronze medalist at the World Championship in ski orienteering. Seven times Balkan champion and 14 times champion of Bulgaria in cross-country skiing, orienteering and biathlon. For many years he was a coach of the national cross-country skiing team.
Petar Zapryanov, Engineer – target shooting
Eng. Zapryanov graduated in Landscape Architecture in 1986. Bronze medalist at the Olympic Games in Moscow in 1980, gold medalist at the Games Druzhba-84 (1984). Multifold national champion, winner of many international tournaments.
Resmi Resmiev, Engineer - alpine skiing
Eng. Resmiev graduated in Mechanical Wood Technology in 1977. National champion and participant in the Winter Olympic Games in Sapporo (1972) and the Winter University Games in Innsbruck (1961) and Finland (1970).
Kamen Kamenarov, Engineer – orienteering
Eng. Kamenarov graduated in Landscape Architecture in 1984. National and Balkan champion in orienteering (1975 and 1983). Threefold national champion in night orienteering (1981, 1984 and 1985) and participant in five World Championships in orienteering.
Ivan Nedkov, Engineer – orienteering
Eng. Nedkov graduated in Forestry in 1982. National champion in orienteering (1977), ski orienteering (1981) and night orienteering (1985). Bronze medalist at the World Orienteering Championship in Sweden (1980).
Nikolay Pipkov, Engineer and Alexander Pipkov, Engineer (twins) – sport aerobics
Graduated in Forestry in 1998. National athletes in sport aerobics, national champions (1996), silver medalists at the European Championship in Hanover (1997) and fourth place at the World Championship in Los Angeles (1997).
Apart from the above listed people there are many other graduates of the University of Forestry who proved to be some of the best sportsmen and sportswomen in Bulgaria:
- Hristo Mihaylov, Assoc. Prof., Petar Yanitsev, Engineer (hunt shooting)
- Mihail Valchanov, Engineer and Blagoslav Slavov, Engineer (chess)
- Ani Kokoshkova, Engineer, Siyka Karanlakova, Engineer, Stoycho Boyanov, Dr., Nikola Yaprakov, Engineer, Evgeni Klenov, Engineer, Georgi Goleminov, Engineer, Rayna Toteva, Engineer and Vasil Naumov, Engineer (alpine skiing)
- Lyubomir Atanasov, Engineer and Yordan Iilev, Engineer (cross-country skiing)
- Stefan Chomakov, Engineer (ice hockey)
- Dimitar At. Dimitrov, Engineer (basketball)
- Plamen Simeonov, Engineer (bobsleigh)
- Rositsa Arsova, Engineer (target shooting)
- Petar Kitin, Dr. (judo)
- Hristo Delin, Engineer (sambo)
- Milko Stanchev, Engineer, Rayko Bozov, Еngineer, Eli Petkova, Engineer (orienteering)
- Konstantin Genchev, Engineer, Hristo Stoyanov, Dr., Vasil Zhivkov, Assoc. Prof., Dr., Nikolay Konakchiev, Engineer, Atanas Atanasov, Engineer, Petar Zhelev, Assoc. Prof., Dr., Kancho Kalmukov, Senior Researcher (athletics) etc.
