Prof. Trifon Penkov was born on 24 December 1930 in Krushovitsa, district of Vratsa, Bulgaria. He is a graduate of Nikola Y.Vaptsarov Naval Academy (1951) and G.S.Rakovski National Defence College (1964). He was awarded a doctoral degree in 1969 before becoming a professor in his field (1980).

Prof. Penkov’s academic career began as a lecturer in 1953 and was primarily at the Naval Academy: Head of Department (1965-1980), Deputy Head of Academic and Scientific section (1980-1990), Dean of Civilian Maritime Faculty (1992-1998). From 1991 to 1992 he was a Vice-Rector of Varna Free University.

He was involved in organizing the training in 6 specialties at the Naval Academy: Radiolocation, Maritime Communications, Hydroacoustics, Oceanology, Marine Ecology, Ocean Engineering.

Prof. Penkov is the author of 11 textbooks and monographs, more than 170 scientific publications, 12 inventions and more than 30 studies in defence industry.

Prof. Penkov has enormously contributed to improving the organization and quality of training in the military academies of the Bulgarian Armed Forces. He worked at the Naval Academy until 2014.

He was awarded with many orders of merit including the 1992 Gold statuette of the Union of Scientists.

Prof. Penkov received the Doctor Honoris Causa honorary title of Nikola Y. Vaptsarov Naval Academy on 11.01.2000.