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PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT THROUGH HIGHER EDUCATION: THE CASE OF BULGARIA
Full text linkHigher education plays an important role in sustainable development. Universities across the globe have the potential to significantly contribute to progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by implementing sustainability practices on their campuses and through their educational programmes. Concerning this and against the background of a constantly declining number of students in Bulgaria, this paper seeks to analyse the Bulgarian higher education institutions’ role in promoting sustainable development. It argues that most of the existing bachelor’s and master’s programmesintended to be related to sustainable development, are not clearly associated with the SDGs and taught in Bulgarian language only, which hinders the opportunities for both the achievement of the Global goals and for the improvement of the country’s higher education system. The paper therefore concludes that an adequate approach for Bulgarian universities to properly promote sustainable development is through launching international programmes targeting both Bulgarian and foreign students as well as through incorporating the SDGs into most disciplines
THE INDIVIDUAL´S IDENTITY IN CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY
Full text linkThe aim of submitted paper is to analyze the problem of identity in contemporary society and to show how dynamic, multi-layred and divergent can identity of an individual be. I will focus on the question what identity means in contemporary society and how an individual creates it continuously. In addition to philosophical, sociological and anthropological reflections on identity, the basis of my reflections will be the exploration of identity according to Susan Faludi, a contemporary journalist and documentary writer. The latter examines in detail the identity of her own father, who changed his gender from male to female at the age of 76, although he does not seem to have achieved the true fulfillment of his own search for identity. In the following text, we will discuss selected perspectives on the problem of identity in philosophy (Descartes, Locke, Damasio) and later we will move on to the investigation of identity in the context of gender in connection with cultural conditioning
TRANSCENDING BOUNDARIES: NAVIGATING IDENTITY AND BELONGING IN LATVIAN MIGRATION NARRATIVES
Full text linkThe paper explores the intricate dynamics of migration within the context of societal cohesion and identity formation. Migration is not just a mere relocation; it\u27s deeply intertwined with broader social transformations. Migration patterns in Latvia reveal a consistent population loss due to emigration, yet the connection between emigrants and their homeland is resilient, particularly through family bonds. By examining the Latvian experience since the country\u27s independence in 1991, we aim to analyze the sense of belonging of Latvian emigrants and uncover factors crucial in shaping migrants\u27 identities and maintaining ties to their homeland. Our study integrates both quantitative and qualitative methodologies to provide a holistic understanding of this phenomenon by analyzing data from large-scale surveys of Latvian emigrants alongside personal narratives collected from the Latvian National Oral History Collection
RELATION BETWEEN INDOOR RADON CONCENTRATIONS AND GEOGENIC RADON POTENTIAL
Full text linkThe study presented the results of radon measurements in homes, gamma dose rate, and geogenic radon potential (GRP) in different settlements in Bulgaria. The study aims to assess the relation between measured parameters. Indoor radon measurements were carried out under the Bulgarian National Radon Plan, as follows: for the Sliven district during 2018 - 2019 and the city of Kyustendil during 2020 - 2021. The nuclear track detectors (CR-39) were used for measurements. The determination of radon concentration in soil gas, soil permeability, and gamma dose rate, were carried out under a national project by the Bulgarian National Science Fund of the Ministry of Education and Science (Contract № КП-06-Н37/22/07.12.2019 г.). Measurements of radon in soil gas were performed with a soil radon monitoring system RM 2 (Radon v.o.s, Czech Republic). Soil gas permeability was performed with a RADON-JOK system manufactured by Radon v.o.s, Czech Republic, with a range of 1.7E-14 to 5.6E11m 2 . The geogenic radon potential (GRP) is a quantity determined by the concentration of radon in soil gas and the permeability of the soil. Direct gamma dose rate measurements were performed according to standard operating procedure with a Rados-RDS 110 portable dosimetry device. Indoor radon variations range from 23 to 1314 Bq/m3 , and the maximum calculated GRP value is 192. The average outdoor gamma dose rate is 0.14 μSv/h, which is typical for the country. IBM SPSS Statistics, v. 23 was used for performing the statistical analysis. Statistical significance correlation was found between groups of results: radon in dwellings and GRP and gamma dose rate and GRP applying Spearman\u27s rank correlation coefficient, which showed that GRP could be used for the prediction of indoor radon
BASIC DEFICIENCIES IN THE TEACHING OF BASES. IMPACT ON GREEK UNDERGRADUATE CHEMISTRY STUDENTS
Full text linkElectrolyte solutions are discussed in every chemistry educational program whether it is destined for secondary education or university courses. However, among the sub-topics taught, acids occupy by far the most space in the text and vastly more time in classroom discussion than bases. As a consequence, several misconceptions emerge concerning the nature and behaviour of bases, mostly relating them to acids through the neutralization procedure. The impact of the above teaching scheme is accompanied, within the Greek secondary education program, by initially discussing Arrhenius theory, introducing Brønsted theory in the last year of secondary education level and providing only a hint about Lewis theory. Consequently, first year undergraduate students are confused about the validity and utility of the corresponding theories, often considering them alternative approaches to the description of the same property of an electrolyte. Furthermore, the undergraduate Chemistry curriculum does not appear to amend the problem as investigation involving third- and fourth-year student reveals. Less than ¾ of those students who recall a name of a theory can provide the correct definition of a base according to the theory and less than 1/3 can write the appropriate chemical equation to justify it. No general substitution of a theory for another one is apparent indicating confusion rather than misconception in the understanding of the fundamental properties of bases. However, several minor changes in teaching and tutoring maybe of help towards the goal of enhancing better overall understanding of the above among students majoring in Chemistry
ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEEDS OF AVIATION MANAGEMENT GRADUATES
Full text linkEnglish, designated as the official language of aviation, plays a vital role in the operations of aviation companies and organisations. Therefore, English proficiency is essential for aviation professionals, and educational institutions must ensure that the graduates of aviation programmes are well-equipped to meet the needs of their professional roles. This research aims at determining the English language needs of aviation management graduates of Estonian Aviation Academy to tailor the language training accordingly. By means of the qualitative research method, incorporating interviews with graduates in years 2017-2021, the study identifies how frequently English is used in the workplace, which language skills and vocabulary are mostly required, and whether the English language courses at Estonian Aviation Academy address work-related needs. Findings indicate that English is used daily, and all four language skills, speaking, listening, reading, and writing are required. Moreover, the research demonstrates that while graduates possess a foundational proficiency in English, including terminology, some improvements can be made to ensure that graduates are equipped with the necessary English skills to succeed in the international aviation industry. This research contributes to the broader discourse on English for Specific Purposes (ESP) in aviation education, providing valuable insights for curriculum developers and language instructors in similar institutions
FACTORS AFFECTING YOUNG TEACHERS’ DECISIONS TO LEAVE THE PROFESSION IN BULGARIA
Full text linkThe current article provides a review of research related to teacher turnover and the factors influencing teachers\u27 decisions to leave their jobs at schools. The article presents the procedures for standardizing a modified version of a methodology used to measure the factors affecting teachers\u27 decisions to quit their positions in schools. The results of a multifactorial analysis showed that workload is one of the most significant factors influencing teachers to make the decision to leave their jobs, considering both their years of experience at the school and the teaching stage. The correlation analysis revealed that colleague support plays a buffering role in factors such as workload and school atmosphere, but not in relation to new opportunities, which might be reasons for teachers to decide to leave their current positions
DISTRIBUTION OF HAILSTORM AREAS IN KAKHETI REGION (GEORGIA) ACCORDING TO THE DIAMETER OF HAILSTONES IN THE CLOUDS
Full text linkHail causes great damage to the Kakheti region in Eastern Georgia. It partially or completely destroys agricultural crops: vineyards, orchards, annual and perennial crops. As a result, the country\u27s economy suffers significant losses. The degree of damage largely depends on the diameter of the hailstone. The larger the diameter of the hailstone, the more damage the hail causes. Based on the materials of the anti-hail service for 2016-2019, which includes data received from a radar station on the diameter of hailstones in the clouds, the height of conception, the processed points and time was studied the distribution of hailstorm areas in the territory of Kakheti region. The results obtained will make it possible to analyze the climatic factors that cause damage to hailstorm areas, which will make a significant contribution to the development of methods for anti-hail work
IS CIRCULAR ECONOMY, CIRCULAR?
Full text linkThis paper is an attempt to explain the geometric metaphor, circular economy, and of its range of application. For that, reuse and recycle loops are analyzed in two situations: discrete and continuous systems, both looking for material decay along cycles or time (due to purge) and for the time evolution of its unit price (time value of money and inflation). The case of existing a make-up that compensates the purge is also analyzed. The conclusion is that the geometric metaphor in use, circular economy, corresponds to particular situations. In general, the evolution is spiral rather than circular
DIFFERENTIATION IN THE PRODUCTION AND ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE OF FARMS IN THE EU
Full text linkIn EU countries, the main producers of agricultural products are farms. In 2020, there were around 9.1 million farms in the EU-28, two thirds of which were less than 5 hectares in size. Farms in the EU used 157 million hectares of land for agricultural production in 2020, 38% of the total land area. In European countries, the number of farms tends to decrease, with the number of farms declining by 3-6% each year. In general, there are three distinct groups of farms in the EU: (1) subsistence farms, where the focus is on growing a high proportion of food to feed farmers and their families; (2) small and mediumsized farms, which are generally family-run businesses; and (3) large farms, which are more likely to be legal or cooperative. According to the European Parliament policy the aim of the paper will be to analyze EU farms according to their size, production and economic differences. An important outcome indicator of farm activity is income. Supporting farm incomes is one of the key objectives of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), which is defined in the Treaty of Rome as "ensuring an adequate standard of living for farmers"