Plamena Bourgoudjieva, Country Manager of Noventiq Bulgaria
Plamena Bourgoudjieva is the Country Manager of Noventiq Bulgaria, with more than eight years of leadership experience within the company and over a decade of professional experience in the technology sector, including at Microsoft. She actively works on implementing innovative solutions and developing digital skills, believing that technology is a key driver of educational transformatio
What is the role of technology in education today, in your opinion?
If I had to put it simply — education is no longer being digitized; it is being rewritten. Technology is no longer just a tool in the classroom, but the environment in which learning takes place. It enables personalized approaches, access to global knowledge, and significantly higher student engagement.
But the most important transformation is in the learning model itself — from passive consumption to active participation, from memorization to understanding and application. The real value lies not in having technology, but in how we use it.
What skills and competencies do students develop through technology?
Technology develops skills that are critical for the real world — critical thinking, information literacy, analytical abilities, and decision-making. More importantly, it teaches people how to learn. In a constantly changing world, the most valuable competency is not knowledge itself, but the ability to acquire it quickly and apply it effectively. Technology creates exactly this kind of environment — dynamic, adaptive, and growth-oriented.
Where does Bulgaria stand in terms of technology in education?
Bulgaria has real potential — a strong technology sector, talented professionals, and a growing EdTech ecosystem. Important steps have been taken in recent years toward digitalization and access to technology.
But the next step is more complex. The issue is not the lack of technology, but the lack of strategy and effective integration into the learning process. Real progress will come when technology becomes a natural part of the everyday work of teachers and students.
What are the most common barriers, and how can they be overcome?
Most barriers are not technological, but human and organizational. The lack of sufficient training and support for teachers, along with the natural fear of change, are key factors.
In addition, there is often a lack of clear vision and coordination between institutions. The solution lies in a long-term approach — investments in skills, consistent strategy, and strong partnerships. Transformation in education is not a one-time project, but a process.
How does Noventiq Bulgaria contribute to improving education and the implementation of technologies in education in Bulgaria?
At Noventiq Bulgaria, we actively work with educational institutions to implement modern technological solutions and platforms. But our focus is not only on implementation. True innovation in education is not in the software itself, but in the way it is used. That is why we invest in training, digital skills development, and long-term partnerships that create sustainable impact.
Noventiq Bulgaria is a member of EdTech Bulgaria. Why did you decide to join EdTech Bulgaria?
Joining EdTech Bulgaria was a natural step. We believe that the transformation of education cannot happen in isolation. It requires collaboration between businesses, institutions, and educational organizations. EdTech Bulgaria creates a platform where this dialogue happens actively and delivers real results.
What does EdTech Bulgaria provide to organisations and education?
EdTech Bulgaria provides something extremely valuable — connectivity. It connects ideas with practice, technology with real needs, and different stakeholders within a shared vision. For organizations, this means partnerships and knowledge exchange. For education, it means faster access to innovation and stronger alignment with market needs.
What does the Bulgarian EdTech ecosystem need most today?
Coordination and scalability. Bulgaria has many strong solutions and initiatives, but they often remain local. There is a lack of mechanisms that can turn them into national or even international success stories. More structured collaboration among all ecosystem participants is needed.
What support is missing for EdTech companies in Bulgaria?
One of the biggest gaps is access to real testing environments. EdTech companies need opportunities to pilot their solutions in schools and universities. There is also a lack of sufficient incentives for implementing innovation and a clearer regulatory framework. Without real-world implementation, even the best ideas remain concepts.
What advice would you give to startups?
Start with the problem, not the technology. Education is a unique environment that requires a deep understanding of the needs of students, teachers, and institutions. Success does not come from the most innovative product, but from the most useful one. And last but not least — be patient. Change in education requires time, trust, and consistency.
Can Bulgaria become a leader in EdTech?
Yes, but not everywhere — only where we can truly excel. Bulgaria has strong potential in areas such as AI in education, digital platforms, and adaptive learning. We have the talent and technological expertise needed to build globally competitive solutions. Leadership comes not from scale, but from focus.
How do you imagine the future of education?
The future will be more flexible, personalized, and connected to the real world. Technology — and especially AI — will play a key role. But it will not replace teachers. AI will not replace teachers, but it will replace the way we learn. The role of the teacher will evolve — from a source of information into a mentor, inspirer, and navigator in a far more dynamic world.