In the first three days of the course the young statisticians were introduced to the theory of statistical sample surveys by assoc. prof. Alexander Naydenov and assoc. prof. Dr. Venelin Boshnakov, both from the “Statistics and Econometrics” Department at UNWE’s auditorium.
In the next six days leading NSI experts presented their practical experience in the field of statistical surveys in NSI’s Training Centre Slivek, Lovech region.
Lybomira Dimitrova, Svetoslava Filipovich, Rasim Ruistem, Milka Galabova, Elena Bakalova, Valentin Chavdarov, Galya Stateva, PhD, Kostadin Georgiev and Bogdan Bogdanov, PhD, acquainted the participants with the practices in the fields of short-term and annual business statistics, income and living conditions statistics, labour statistics, macroeconomic statistics and alternative data sources (Big Data). The variety of topics and the great academic background of the speakers created a great setting for the training and the active participation of the young statisticians. At the end of the training a round table was held, and the participants were examined through a test, containing questions from all topics from the course. The participants in the course were divided into six teams with representatives from different countries and presented their answers to the test through skillfully made PPT presentations. Additionally they answered so-called “questions for champions” with increased difficulty.
The training course’s closing ceremony was held on the 18th of September by Mr. Sergey Tsvetarski, President of the BNSI. Mr. Gogita Todradze, Executive director of the National Statistics Office of Georgia and Mr. Stepan Mnatsakanyan, President of the Statistical Committee of Republic of Armenia were invited as official guests and took part in the Certificate Award Ceremony. The certificates were signed by the Rector of UNWE - Prof. D.Sc.(Econ.) Statty Vasilev Stattev and Mr. Sergey Tsvetarski.
As a token of the good cooperation between our institutions the guests from Armenia and Georgia planted two trees in the yard of NSI’s Training Centre Slivek and planted time capsules with messages to the future statisticians at the roots of the trees.
In an impromptu discussion the three heads of Statistical Institutes addressed the young statisticians with wishes for successful professional growth and shared their vision on the development of statistics and its place in the modern world.
All of the participants were thankful for the cordial welcome and the interesting lectures. In addition, they emphasized that during the course they met their colleagues from different statistical offices, which will create a good basis for future professional contacts.
During their visit in Bulgaria, Mr. Gogita Todradze and Mr. Stepan Mnatsakanyan met with the Mayor of Lovech Ms. Cornelia Marinova and the Chairman of the Municipal Council of Veliko Turnovo, Mr. Ventsislav Spirdonov, to discuss topics related to the role of statistics in municipal governance and cooperation between the two types of institutions in order to provide relevant and reliable statistics at regional level. The guests from Georgia and Armenia shared their experience in the field.
The third successful training course for young statisticians from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine is a significant contribution to the NSI’s policy of developing cooperation with the countries of the European Neighborhood Policy - Eastern Partnership. As a result of this policy, Cooperation Agreements between the NSI and the statistical offices of Georgia, Moldova and Belarus have been signed in the last two years in addition to the existing agreements with Azerbaijan, Armenia and Ukraine.
