Kalin Kirov, Founder and CEO of KEISIEM
What is the role of technology in education today, in your opinion?
Today, the role of technology in education can best be described as instrumental rather than leading. The most effective educational models are achieved when technologies are used purposefully, in alignment with clearly defined educational goals and with the active support of well-prepared and motivated teachers.
Modern students, often referred to as “digital children,” show higher levels of engagement and interest in the learning process when technologies are integrated meaningfully into education. The main purpose of introducing technology is not simply to modernize the environment, but to transform the way learning happens.
Every new generation of students requires an adequate pedagogical approach adapted to its characteristics — one that stimulates interest in science and active participation. However, this should not happen at the expense of the teacher’s role. On the contrary, the teacher should act as a mentor and guide in the learning process, rather than merely an operator of high-tech equipment.
Thanks to the integration of new technologies, students develop knowledge and skills that are essential for their future realization in the labor market. The lack of such competencies makes professional realization more difficult and limits opportunities for finding suitable employment after graduation.
What skills and competencies do students develop thanks to technology?
In my opinion, the use of digital technologies contributes significantly to the development of a range of key skills and competencies.
First and foremost, students develop digital literacy, including the ability to work with software applications, online platforms, and digital resources, as well as the responsible and critical use of information.
Through interactive educational environments, simulations, and project-based learning, students develop critical and logical thinking, analytical abilities, and problem-solving skills. Technology also encourages creativity by enabling students to create digital content, realize their own ideas, and participate in innovative projects.
Another important component is the use of online platforms and collaborative tools, which support the development of communication skills, teamwork, and effective cooperation, including in remote and multicultural environments.
Students are also encouraged to become more independent, take responsibility for their own learning, and develop time-management skills, which form the basis for lifelong learning.
Къде е България по отношение на технологиите в образованието?
Regarding the use of technology in education, Bulgaria is currently in an intermediate position. The implementation of digital solutions within the educational system remains uneven and often fragmented.
In secondary education, there are positive examples of successfully implemented innovative approaches supported by developed IT environments and motivated teaching professionals. In contrast, higher education lags behind in the processes of technological integration, and the gap between secondary and higher education in this area is clearly visible. This can be explained by differences in funding, as well as the mechanisms for selection, development, and qualification of academic staff.
In this context, the need for targeted support through external partners with practical experience and expertise becomes increasingly evident. When training activities do not lead to sustainable implementation of new technologies in educational practice, there is a need for long-term solutions based on consistency, collaboration, and a clear understanding of the needs of educational institutions.
For more than two decades, KEISIEM has been working in partnership with schools and other educational organizations to support the effective implementation of technologies and improve the quality of the educational process.
How does KEISIEM contribute to improving education and the implementation of technologies in Bulgaria?
KEISIEM is a Bulgarian company with many years of experience in developing information, communication, and STEM solutions for education. We provide consulting services, complete design, implementation, and maintenance of комплекс educational solutions.
For the past 20 years, the company has been among the leaders in the educational technology market in Bulgaria, offering innovative products, high-quality service, and practice-oriented training.
The team includes certified trainers who have completed international qualification programs with partners represented by KEISIEM on the Bulgarian market.
The company’s activities include the supply of technological equipment, training and qualification of teachers and students, and a long-term commitment to educational institutions.
KEISIEM is one of the members of “EdTech Bulgaria.” Why did you decide to join?
Our decision to become part of “EdTech Bulgaria” was a natural result of our belief that change in education cannot happen individually, but only through the unification of people, ideas, and experience.
Within the educational technology cluster, we see a community of innovative companies and institutions that do not merely observe the problems in education, but actively seek solutions. It is a space for dialogue, sharing, and action — an environment that the Bulgarian EdTech ecosystem urgently needs.
The companies within the cluster are close to the reality of schools and universities, understand their challenges, and believe that through joint efforts they can contribute to more modern, practical, and effective education.
What does the Bulgarian EdTech ecosystem need most today?
EdTech companies in Bulgaria are developing in an environment with high human and innovation potential, but insufficient systemic support.
There is a lack of a long-term national vision for development. Technologies are often perceived solely as infrastructure rather than as part of a comprehensive educational and innovation ecosystem.
Limited access to the school market, burdensome public procurement procedures, the absence of mechanisms for piloting and sharing best practices, and the transfer of risk entirely onto suppliers all hinder the implementation of innovative solutions.
What kind of support is missing for EdTech companies in Bulgaria?
Startups and small companies in the educational sector need greater public and institutional support. In most cases, they are the carriers of new ideas and approaches tailored to the specific needs of the national educational environment.
How do you imagine the future of education in Bulgaria, and what will be the role of technology?
The future of education in Bulgaria lies in the balanced combination of technology and strong pedagogical practices.
A key factor in this process is the high-quality preparation of teachers — beginning at universities and continuing throughout their professional careers. The teacher’s role is fundamental, because the education and development of generations of students depend on their competence and commitment.