Seminar on “Innovative approaches to support leadership in human resource management in times of change”
On October 1, 2025, in hall 2-127 of the University of Economics – Varna, a seminar with international participation was held within the framework of the project “Impact of Digitalization on Innovative Approaches in Human Resources Management”, funded by the Scientific Research Fund. The event was hosted by Chief Assist. Prof. Velina Koleva, PhD.
The guest lecturer in the initiative was Marionela Bozhkova – PCC ICF, Learning & Development Manager in the Talent Management Department for Yazaki EMEA, Germany. She shared practices from her extensive experience as an HR manager in several large Bulgarian and international organizations, then presented in detail the concept of the “Leadership Skills Development Academy” in Yazaki EMEA – the main goals and objectives of the project, the stages in its development, the expected results and the team implementing it. The main focuses were on:
- supporting leaders in Yazaki to acquire the skills necessary to successfully perform their role, which has a strong impact on employee engagement, high team productivity and improved business results;
- improving leaders’ skills through competencies and introducing a leadership program in the organization’s divisions in Europe, the Middle East and Africa;
- setting clear expectations for leaders in the company “how to lead in Yazaki”;
- sharing a “common language of leadership”;
- creating an internal training academy by training and certifying a team of facilitators.
After the presentation of the project, the topic of the seminar was set – “Innovative approaches to support leadership in human resources management in times of change”. Fourth-year students of the “Management” bachelor program at the University of Economics – Varna participated in the discussion. They argued about their positions as representatives of generation Z, commenting on current socio-economic and political realities, and the new role of the leader in them. This provoked an open discussion in which everyone could ask questions, express a position or share experience. A positive atmosphere of open dialogue and exchange of interesting ideas was created, which left all participants in the seminar with a sense of satisfaction. At the end of the event, the students were invited to join the international team implementing the project related to the development of leadership skills in Yazaki EMEA. Some of them, inspired by the interesting discussion, applied for specific positions.
Workshop for students and PhD students from all programs
Date of event: September 29, 2023, 4:00 p.m.
Venue: Coworking Space on floor H – 4 in the academic building of the University of Economics – Varna
Participants: students and PhD students from all programs and courses
Additional information: The workshop is a practical-applied event aimed at the student audience and businesses, within the project “Impact of digitalization on innovative approaches in human resources management”. The project was financed by the Scientific Research Fund, Ministry of Education and Science BG-175467353-2022-04/12-12-2022, competition for fundamental scientific research 2022. Contract No. KP-06 PN 65/34. The purpose of the event is to stimulate the creativity of students and doctoral students and promote their innovative and managerial thinking.
News and a request for participation are published on the page: https://hrm.ue-varna.bg/en/workshop/
Workshop for students and PhD students from all programs
On September 29, 2023, a workshop was held for students and PhD students within the project “Impact of digitalization on innovative approaches in human resources management”. The project was financed by the Scientific Research Fund, Ministry of Education and Science BG-175467353-2022-04/12-12-2022, competition for fundamental scientific research 2022. Contract No. KP-06 PN 65/4. The aim of the event was to stimulate students’ creativity and encourage their innovative and managerial thinking, to exchange knowledge and ideas in the field of human resources management between teachers, students and representatives from practice, as well as to create an opportunity for career development of young people.
About 30 bachelors, masters and PhD students from various specialties at the University of Economics – Varna took part in the workshop. Special guests were the business representatives on behalf of: BT Development Services AD, Kluntech, Windrose Training Academy Ltd., Musala soft, Neoperl Bulgaria, Pleggi. Miroslav Nikolov and Dimitar Karaivanov from “Igrikazki” broke the atmosphere with games in which mentors and students had the opportunity to get to know each other and break the ice.
The format of the event was related to the opportunity for students to work as a team on real cases provided to them by the business. In addition to providing specific situations from their work with people in the organizations, HR managers also mentored the teams, supporting, guiding and advising them. The teams worked on a case study related to personnel selection and a proposal for a strategy to attract candidates for a job in a foreign financial group.
After convincing presentations by all the student teams, a ranking followed, with the top three places being taken respectively by:
1. FIRST PLACE: Yana Guzeleva – Entrepreneurship and investment management, Zlatomir Ivanov – Marketing, Daniela Karagyozova – International Business, Hatche Halil – Business Economics, Denitsa Kolarova – Digital Media and PR;
2. SECOND PLACE: Georgi Stoyanov – Finance and Innovation, Antonia Yotova – International Business, Kristin Pelova – Human Resouce Management, Olchai Yusuf – International Economic Relations;
3. THIRD PLACE: Maksimiliana Gyumova – Judicial administration, Erika Lishkovska – Sales and Merchandising Management, Nesrin Eredzeb – Logistics, Filipa Yordanova – Logistics.
The business provided attractive prizes for participants, including quotas for free participation in the autumn conference for human resource management, books, brunch at Hotel International, promotional materials and branded sport bags.
The students shared immense satisfaction from their participation in the event, satisfied with the contact with practice and the useful things they learned in the course of the discussions. The business also expressed its satisfaction at working with motivated and enthusiastic young people and thanked the organizers for keeping alive the link between practice and the academic community. An atmosphere of creative energy and creativity, constructive work, team spirit and positivity was created!
