Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski

Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski is the first Bulgarian high academic school establishment. Its history is an embodiment and a continuation of the century-long cultural and educational tradition of the Bulgarian nation. In 1880 the Bulgarian Ministry of Education tabled a draft of the Main Educational Act for the Schools in the Principality of Bulgaria in the National Assembly. It envisaged that “after completing the requirements of the Real and Classical schools to open a Bulgarian high school (a University) that will teach the sciences of law, the arts, the sciences, the medical sciences, and the technological sciences.”. Today Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski is the biggest and most prestigious scientific hub in the country. It has 16 faculties with 119 special subjects being taught. Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski is an educational institution that has stepped on the road of the development of research. The principle that the top level is a condition sine qua non is mandatory in the implementation of the effective interaction between the educational process and technological development, science, and innovative politics. Sofia University has the best Bulgarian scholars in all fields of scientific research. The scientific activities of the faculty at Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski has become an obligatory part and parcel of the teaching process. With the signing of the Erasmus Charter in 2007 and Bulgaria being a full-fledged member-state of the EU the University continues its active participation in the implementation of the updated with new educational possibilities Learning for Life European program. In Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski work 1709 university teachers and researchers, from who 295 professors (2015). The total number of students in Sofia University for the academic 2019/2020 is 18 911. New degree programs have been developed, such as Social Pedagogy (1991); Education of Children with Neurosomatic Diseases, Education of the Visually Impaired, Education of Children with Intellectual Disability, Rehabilitation of Hearing and Speech; Speech and Language Pathology and Therapy (all in 1992);  The research interests of the professors, associates, and assistants in the Department of Special Education and Logopedics are directly related to practice. Curriculums include large number of hours of practice in medical, social, and educational institutions (e.g. centers, kindergartens, and schools, as well as early intervention settings) for children, students, and also institutions for adults with visual impairments, hearing impairments, motor disabilities, intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, learning disorders, communication disorders and other disabilities. The publications of the department's teachers include those that address the problems of play in children with developmental disorders, therapy and inclusive education of children with autism, alternative therapy methods for children with special educational needs, early development, and early diagnosis.