Professor Dimitar Buchkov was born on 15 September 1931 in Silistra, Bulgaria. From 1949 to 1950 he studied in the department of Electrical Engineering at the Technical University in Sofia. In 1950 he became a cadet in the navigational department of the National Naval School Nikola Y.Vaptsarov. He graduated in 1952 and served in command posts in the Bulgarian Navy.

In 1960 he was a lecturer in the Department of Metals and Technology, in 1969 he was awarded the degree of Associate Professor and in 1979 he became Professor in Metals and Heat Treatment.

In his career Prof. Buchkov worked on senior administrative positions in the field of science and education: Deputy-Rector of the Technical University in Sofia (1978-1981), Rector of the Technical University in Sofia (1983-1986; 1989-1992), Head of Science and Research Problems Laboratory “Electro-physical technologies for heat treatment of metals”, deputy-chair and chair of IAS, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Education.

The main areas of research and teaching activities of Prof. Buchkov are chemical-thermal treatment in glowing discharge, ion nitriding of massive parts, electro-physical technologies for heat treatment of metals. He is the founder of a new scientific field in Bulgaria – electro-physical technology.

Prof. Buchkov is the author of several textbooks, over 90 scientific publications and 27 registered inventions in the country and abroad. He was awarded the Order of St. Cyril and St. Methodius – II degree and has many times been awarded the title of Honorary Inventor.

Prof. Buchkov received the Doctor Honoris Causa honorary title of Nikola Y. Vaptsarov Naval Academy on 17.05.2006.