Doctor’s degree of education and qualification (PhD) is a major form of training for highly qualified specialists pursuing a career as scholars, researchers and academic staff members. To be eligible to apply for doctoral programmes, they must be holders of master’s degrees.
Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy has been accredited by the National Evaluation and Accreditation Agency for providing training for doctoral degrees in the following doctoral programmes:
The training for doctoral students at Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy is offered in resident and extramural format. The format is determined prior to the announcement of the entry competitions every year.
The training for doctoral students can also be realised in a self-study format through their writing their dissertation on their own.
The time periods for the training are as follows:
- resident doctoral programme – up to 3 years;
- extramural doctoral programme – up to 4 years;
- free extramural doctoral programme – up to 3 years.
The dissertation titles, the conditions and procedure for application for resident and extramural doctoral study at Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy are promulgated on an annual basis by an order by the Minister for Defence. The competition dates and application deadlines, document forms (application requests, etc.) shall also be posted on the Naval Academy’s website.
The students undergoing doctoral study shall pay annually their tuition fees as determined by Decree of the Council of Ministers.
Politico-military aspects of maritime security
The doctoral course in Politico-military aspects of maritime security is taught by the Naval Tactics Department of the Faculty of Navigation at Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy. The course is available in resident, extra-mural or self-study format.
The duration of the resident and self-study versions is up to 3 years – following the acquisition of a master’s degree.
The duration of the extra-mural version is up to 4 years – following the acquisition of a master’s degree.
The training in the doctoral programme in Politico-military aspects of maritime security, part of occupational area 9.1. National security, is aimed at the development of:
- academic personnel in the area of the organisation and management of security in the maritime space;
- expert personnel for the needs of the state institutions responsible for the formulation of a policy towards the organisation and management of maritime activities that is both nationally responsible and compliant with the undertaken commitments to allies and international community;
- expert personnel for the needs of the specialised structural elements of non-governmental organisations in the field of the organisation and management of maritime activities;
- possibilities to regenerate the academic staff at the Academy;
- advancement prospects for master’s degree holders.
In the course of training, doctoral students acquire knowledge and develop skills to autonomously reveal, explore and solve issues in security management, issues related to the management of maritime safety and security, the establishment of a controlled environment in the national maritime space; developing and enhancing civil-military relations, etc.
Having successfully defended their dissertation project, the doctoral students receive professional competencies for participating in the realization of projects for detecting system vulnerabilities in the sphere of safety and security; identifying different types of threats and dangers to maritime activities; analysis, assessment and management of different types of risks; organisation of the interaction among heterogeneous organisations (government institutions, domestic and international companies, non-economic entities, non-governmental organisations) in conducting joint activities in the national maritime space, etc.
The training in the doctoral programme in Politico-military aspects of national security is in accordance with the mission, aims and priorities of the Naval Academy and with national law. The specifics of the doctoral programme correspond to the academic environment existing at the Naval Academy.
The training in the doctoral programme in Politico-military aspects of national security accomplishes the following major objectives:
- Developing the national theory and practice in fulfilling the adopted statutory requirements in the organisation and the management of maritime activities in accordance with the latest scientific achievements.
- Enhancing the competencies of the academic staff for qualified academic oversight and preparation of doctoral students.
- Maintaining and developing interdisciplinary scientific activity in researching the politico-military aspects of security.
- Continually developing the mutual exchange of academic and applied science research results among the stakeholder organisations and institutions.
- Developing the cognitive capacities of the doctoral students for revealing current issues of security in their politico-military aspect.
- Maintaining the developed expertise for determining, researching and solving the problematic issues of maritime security both on domestic and international level.
- Reinforcing internationally recognised criteria for academic and applied science research.
- Reinforcing the authority of the Naval Academy as national and regional centre in academic and applied science research in politico-military aspects of national security.
The main form of teaching for the doctoral students is self-study, which is combined with the required auditory training in accordance with an approved individual plan. The training of the doctoral students is provided according to the Academic Council-adopted Standard for the compulsory contents of the training for doctoral students and includes activities for completing:
- the educational programme – a curriculum to meet the educational objectives of the doctoral study;
- the scientific programme – research activities related to the production of the doctoral dissertation (PhD thesis).
The course ends with the student defending their doctoral dissertation before an academic panel.
Ship propulsion plants
The doctoral course in Ship propulsion plants is taught by the Ship propulsion plants Department of the Faculty of Engineering at Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy. The course is available in resident, extra-mural or self-study format.
The duration of the resident and self-study versions is up to 3 years – following the acquisition of a master’s degree.
The duration of the extra-mural version is up to 4 years – following the acquisition of a master’s degree.
The training in the doctoral programme in Ship propulsion plants, part of occupational area 5.5. Transport, shipping and aviation is aimed at the development of:
- academic personnel in the area of operation, maintenance and repairs of Ship propulsion plants, researching the capabilities and the optimisation of such plants;
- expert personnel for the needs of the state institutions responsible for the education and qualification of marine engineering specialists;
- expert personnel for the needs of the specialised structural elements of non-governmental organisations in the field of the organisation and management of maritime activities;
- possibilities to regenerate the academic staff at the Academy;
- advancement prospects for master’s degree holders.
In the course of training, doctoral students acquire knowledge and develop skills to autonomously reveal, explore and solve issues in the operation of ship machinery and equipment, optimistation of their use; creating new designs and machines and improving the quality of the existing ones; making them greener and more eco-friendlly.
Having successfully defended their dissertation project, the doctoral students receive professional competencies for participating in the realization of projects for the construction of systems and machines in conformity with the latest requirements; troubleshooting and early fault detection of ship machinery and equipment.
The training in the doctoral programme in Ship propulsion plants in accordance with the mission, aims and priorities of the Naval Academy and with national law. The specifics of the doctoral programme correspond to the academic environment existing at the Naval Academy.
The training in the doctoral programme in Ship propulsion plants accomplishes the following major objectives:
- developing seafarers and enhancing their competence in operation and control of Ship propulsion plants.
- Enhancing the competencies of the academic staff for qualified academic oversight and preparation of doctoral students.
- Continually developing the mutual exchange of academic and applied science research results among the stakeholder organisations and institutions.
- Developing the cognitive capacities of the doctoral students for revealing current issues of SPP operation and environmental protection.
- Maintaining the developed expertise for determining, researching and solving the problematic issues of the progress and operation of ship machinery and equipment.
- Reinforcing internationally recognised criteria for academic and applied science research.
- Reinforcing the authority of the Naval Academy as national and regional centre in academic and applied science research in Ship propulsion plants.
The main form of teaching for the doctoral students is self-study, which is combined with the required auditory training in accordance with an approved individual plan. The training of the doctoral students is provided according to the Academic Council-adopted Standard for the compulsory contents of the training for doctoral students and includes activities for completing:
- the educational programme – a curriculum to meet the educational objectives of the doctoral study;
- the scientific programme – research activities related to the production of the doctoral dissertation (PhD thesis).
The course ends with the student defending their doctoral dissertation before an academic panel.
Military psychology
The doctoral course in Military psychology is taught by the Management and Logistics Department of the Faculty of Navigation at Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy. The course is available in resident, extra-mural or self-study format.
The duration of the resident and self-study versions is up to 3 years – following the acquisition of a master’s degree.
The duration of the extra-mural version is up to 4 years – following the acquisition of a master’s degree.
The training in the doctoral programme in Military psychology, part of occupational area 3.2. Psychology, aims to:
- develop of highly qualified academic personnel to conduct fundamental and applied science research in different areas of military psychology;
- prepare academic personnel to profess in military higher education institutions;
- train expert personnel for the needs of the specialised structural units within the system of the armed forces in the area of psychological support of their inherent activities;
- provide paths for career advancement of the academic staff at the Naval Academy, committed to solving specific issues of the occupational field/
In the course of training, doctoral students acquire knowledge and develop abilities to autonomously reveal, explore and solve issues related to the psychological preparation of service members and military units, psychology of combat training, military discipline, impact of modern warfare on the state of mind of the service member, risk management in military command activities, stress management and post-traumatic stress disorders.
Having successfully defended their dissertation project, the doctoral students receive professional competencies to participate in projects for the psychological support of the activities within the system of the Armed Forces in a variety of circumstances, both in peacetime and in wartime, and for the management of socio-psychological factors related to the joint action of military units.
The training in the doctoral programme in Military psychology is in accordance with the mission, aims and priorities of the Naval Academy and with national law. The specifics of the doctoral programme correspond to the academic environment existing at the Naval Academy.
The training in the doctoral programme in Military psychology accomplishes the following major objectives:
- Developing the national theory and practice in the organisation and management of the psychological preparation of troops and forces, in line with the contemporary academic achievements;
- Enhancing the competence of the academic personnel for qualified scientific leadership in the respective academic field and for preparing cadets from the naval courses.
- Maintaining and developing interdisciplinary scientific activity in researching a wide array of aspects of security.
- Continually developing the mutual exchange of academic and applied science research results among the stakeholder organisations and institutions.
- Developing the cognitive capacities of the doctoral students for revealing current issues of security in their military psychology aspect.
- Maintaining the developed expertise for determining, researching and solving the problematic issues of military psychology both on domestic and international level.
- Reinforcing the authority of the Naval Academy as national and regional centre in academic and applied science research in military psychology.
The main form of teaching for the doctoral students is self-study, which is combined with the required auditory training in accordance with an approved individual plan. The training of the doctoral students is provided according to the Academic Council-adopted Standard for the compulsory contents of the training for doctoral students and includes activities for completing:
- the educational programme – a curriculum to meet the educational objectives of the doctoral study;
- scientific programme – research activities related to the production of the doctoral dissertation (PhD thesis).
The course ends with the student defending their doctoral dissertation before an academic panel.
Organisation and management beyond the sphere of material production
Organisation and management beyond the sphere of material production (national security)
The training in the doctoral programme in Organisation and management beyond the sphere of material production (3.7 Administration and management) aims at the development at
- expert personnel for the needs of the state institutions responsible for the formulation of a policy towards the organisation and management of maritime activities that is both nationally responsible and compliant with the undertaken commitments to allies and international community.
- expert personnel for the needs of domestic and international companies from the maritime industry who formulate a corporate policy that conforms to the specific requirements in place with regard to the organisation and management of maritime activities, at the same time keeping intact the economic competitiveness of the economic entities;
- expert personnel for conducting academic and applied science research in the sphere of the organisation and management of maritime activities (the majority of the specialised maritime scientific institutes and structural units of the Bulgarian Academy of Science are based in Varna).
- expert personnel for the needs of the specialised structural units of economic entities of the intangible sphere (insurance companies, register / classification societies, consulting services and auditing organisations, organisations providing specialised security for maritime critical infrastructure elements, responders to pollution to the aquatic environment, etc.) and non-governmental civic organisations (trade unions, emergency responders and rescuers, etc.) in the area of organisation and management of maritime activities (the headquarters of the aforesaid entities are predominantly in Varna, with remote agencies in other port locations).
- possibilities to regenerate the academic staff at the Academy;
- advancement prospects for master’s degree holders.
The fulfilment of those aims is accepted as a prerequisite for high quality, increased efficacy and effectiveness in the activities conducted by the marine industry.
The training in the doctoral programme in Organisation and management beyond the sphere of material production (3.7 Adminsitration and management) accomplishes the following major objectives:
- Developing the national theory and practice in fulfilling the adopted statutory requirements in the organisation and the management of maritime activities in accordance with the latest scientific achievements.
- Enhancing the competencies of the academic staff for qualified academic oversight and preparation of doctoral students.
- Maintaining and developing interdisciplinary scientific activity in researching the matters of the organisation and the management of maritime activities.
- Continually developing the mutual exchange of academic and applied science research results among the stakeholder organisations and institutions.
- Developing the cognitive abilities of the doctoral students with regard to revealing the existing and emerging issues in the organisation and management of maritime activities.
- Maintaining the developed expert capabilities for determining, researching and solving the issues on domestic and international level in the organisation and management of maritime activities.
- Reinforcing internationally recognised criteria for academic and applied science research.
- Reinforcing the national authority of Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy as a leading centre of academic and applied science research in the marine industry.
The topicality, necessity and significance of the training offered under the doctoral programme in Organisation and management beyond the sphere of material production (3.7 Administration and management) are determined by the need to research and solve the ever-emerging issues in the system of maritime activities (including ones related to the Navy and the maritime education) in the contemporary conditions of the society and the economy, which are related to:
- satisfying the need of highly qualified specialists and modern academic and applied science research in the organisation and management of maritime activities to maintain the abilities of the Bulgarian personnel in maritime transport to be competitive.
- enhancing the efficiency of using the available highly qualified academic staff in the formulation, implementation and realisation of a nationally-responsible policy in the organisation and management of maritime activities.
- completing the cycle of quality management in the marine industry, an integral part of which is the organisation and management of maritime activities.
- activating and motivating the activity of the habilitated academic staff to provide academic leadership for doctoral students in organisation and management of maritime activities.
The course in Organisation and management beyond the sphere of material production (3.7 Adminsitration and management) is taught by the Department of Management and Logistics, Faculty of Navigation, Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy. The course is available in resident, extra-mural or self-study format.
The duration of the resident and self-study versions is up to 3 years – following the acquisition of a master’s degree.
The duration of the extra-mural version is up to 4 years – following the acquisition of a master’s degree.
Ship handling and navigation
The training in the doctoral programme in Ship handling and navigation aims at developing:
- expert personnel for conducting academic and applied science research in the sphere of navigation;
- expert personnel for shipping companies;
- expert personnel for the academic staff at the Naval Academy and other similar universities in the country and abroad;
- expert personnel for logistic organisation and companies dealing in the collection, processing, loading/unloading, planning, managing and carrying different types of cargo;
- – expert personnel for the needs of domestic and international companies from the maritime industry who formulate a corporate policy that conforms to the specific requirements in place with regard to the organisation and management of maritime activities;
- expert personnel for the needs of the specialised structural units of economic entities of the intangible sphere (insurance companies, register / classification societies, consulting services and auditing organisations, environmental organisations for the protection of the marine environment, the air and the land) and non-governmental civic organisations in the area of the organisation and management of maritime activities;
- possibilities to regenerate the academic staff at the Academy;
- advancement prospects for master’s degree holders.
The fulfilment of those aims is accepted as a prerequisite for high quality, increased efficacy and effectiveness in the activities conducted by the marine industry.
The training in the doctoral programme in Ship handling and navigation accomplishes the following major objectives:
- Developing the navigation-related theory and practice, resulting in enhanced efficiency of ship handling, reliability and energy use;
- Enhancing the competencies of the academic staff for qualified academic oversight and preparation of doctoral students.
- Maintaining and developing interdisciplinary scientific activity in researching the matters of the organisation and the management of maritime activities.
- Continually developing the mutual exchange of academic and applied science research results among the stakeholder organisations and institutions.
- Developing the cognitive abilities of the doctoral students with regard to revealing the existing and emerging issues in the organisation and management of maritime activities.
- Maintaining the developed expert capabilities for determining, researching and solving the issues on domestic and international level in the organisation and management of maritime activities.
- Reinforcing internationally recognised criteria for academic and applied science research.
- Reinforcing the national authority of Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy as a leading centre of academic and applied science research in the marine industry;
- Providing educational mobility for foreign doctoral students with regard to the doctoral programme.
The topicality, necessity and significance of the training offered under the doctoral programme in Ship handling and navigation are determined by the need to research and solve the ever-emerging issues in the system of maritime activities (including ones related to the Navy and the maritime education) in the contemporary conditions of the society and the economy, which are related to:
- satisfying the need of highly qualified specialists and modern academic and applied science research in sphere of navigation to maintain the competitive abilities of the Bulgarian personnel in maritime transport.
- enhancing the qualification of the available academic staff in the formulation, implementation and realisation of the national shipping policy;
- completing the cycle of quality management in the marine industry, an integral part of which is the organisation and management of maritime activities;
- motivating the activity of the habilitated academic staff to provide academic leadership for doctoral students in the sphere of navigation;
The doctoral course in Ship handling and navigation is taught by the Navigation Department of the Faculty of Navigation at Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy. The course is available in resident, extra-mural or self-study format.
The duration of the resident and self-study versions is up to 3 years – following the acquisition of a master’s degree.
The duration of the extra-mural version is up to 4 years – following the acquisition of a master’s degree.
Organisation and management of the armed forces
The doctoral course in Organisation and management of the armed forces is taught by the Naval Tactics Department of the Faculty of Navigation at Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy. The course is available in resident, extra-mural or self-study format.
The duration of the resident and self-study versions is up to 3 years – following the acquisition of a master’s degree.
The duration of the extra-mural version is up to 4 years – following the acquisition of a master’s degree.
The training in the doctoral programme in Organisation and management of the armed forces, part of occupational area 9.2. Military science, is aimed at the development of:
- academic personnel in the area of the organisation and management of security and defence;
- expert personnel for the needs of the Ministry of Defence, the Bulgarian Armed Forces and the structures immediately subordinated to the defence minister.
- expert personnel in the area of of security and defence of the structures of NATO and the EU;
- possibilities to regenerate the academic staff at the Academy;
- career advancement prospects for service members holding master’s degrees.
In the course of training, doctoral students acquire knowledge and develop abilities to autonomously reveal, explore and solve issues in the management of security and defence, issues related to the organisation and the management (command) of military units on a tactical level in the context of the distinct missions of Defence, Support of international peace and stability, Contribution to national security in peacetime, etc.
Having successfully defended their dissertation project, the doctoral students receive professional competencies to occupy executive positions in the defence system of the nation, participating in the realization of projects for detecting system vulnerabilities in the sphere of defence, safety and security; identifying different types of threats and dangers to maritime activities; analysis, assessment and management of different types of national defence-related risks; organisation of the interaction between the Navy and other government institutions, domestic and international organisations in conducting joint activities in the national maritime space, etc.
The training in the doctoral programme in Organisation and management of the armed forces is in accordance with the mission, aims and priorities of the Naval Academy and with national law. The specifics of the doctoral programme correspond to the academic environment existing at the Naval Academy.
The training in the doctoral programme in Organisation and management of the armed forces accomplishes the following major objectives:
- Developing the national theory and practice in fulfilling the adopted statutory requirements in the organisation and the management of the armed forces in accordance with the latest scientific achievements.
- Enhancing the competencies of the academic staff for qualified academic oversight and preparation of doctoral students.
- Maintaining and developing interdisciplinary scientific activity in researching the matters of the organisation and the management (command) of the armed forces.
- Developing the mutual exchange of academic and applied science research results among the stakeholder organisations and institutions in the sphere of security and defence.
- Developing the cognitive capacities of the doctoral students for revealing current issues of security and defence.
- Maintaining the developed expertise for determining, researching and solving the problematic issues of military science both on national and allied level.
- Reinforcing internationally recognised criteria for academic and applied science research.
- Reinforcing the authority of the Naval Academy as national and regional centre in academic and applied science research in politico-military aspects of security and defence.
The main form of teaching for the doctoral students is self-study, which is combined with the required auditory training in accordance with an approved individual plan. The training of the doctoral students is provided according to the Academic Council-adopted Standard for the compulsory contents of the training for doctoral students and includes activities for completing:
- the educational programme – a curriculum to meet the educational objectives of the doctoral study;
- scientific programme – research activities related to the production of the doctoral dissertation (PhD thesis).
The course ends with the student defending their doctoral dissertation before an academic panel.
Applied Mechanics
The doctoral course in Applied Mechanics is taught by the Ship propulsion plants Department of the Faculty of Engineering at Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy. The course is available in resident, extra-mural or self-study format.
The duration of the resident and self-study versions is up to 3 years – following the acquisition of a master’s degree.
The duration of the extra-mural version is up to 4 years – following the acquisition of a master’s degree.
The training in the doctoral programme in Ship propulsion plants, is part of occupational area 5.5. Transport, shipping and aviation.
Training at PhD Program Applied Mechanics has the following main objectives:
- preparation of highly qualified research staff for the development of scientific and applied research in the field of applied mechanics as well as the professional development of these research staff;
- creating and disseminating of the new scientific products and applied research results in priority for maritime industry and transport, introducing new diagnostic parameters, reducing the vibrational level, increasing the remaining durability of machines, appliances, apparatus and systems;
- supporting of the development of scientific research work, operating and maintenance of machinery, appliances, apparatus and systems in shipping, shipbuilding and energetics.
- development of mutual exchange of scientific and scientifically applied results among interested organizations and institutions.
The preparation of PhD students is accomplished using educational forms, established by the regulations of Naval Academy Nikola Vaptsarov. Using modern software NX Siemens, Solid Edge, products of Autodesk – Autodesk Inventor, AutoCAD, Nastran, Nastran InCad, software of SKF, LabView, MathLab measuring equipment from leading manufacturers in the world – SKF, Hottinger, Bruel & Kaer, National Instruments, SPM. Naval Academy Nikola Vaptsarov has licensed software for conducting this training. To conduct the computational analyses for different problems it is used modern methods as Finite Element Method (FEM).
The following basic tasks are performed with Training at PhD Program Applied Mechanics:
- Conducting the theoretical research in the field of Applied Mechanics with application in transport, shipbuilding and shipping;
- Stimulating the scientific and professional growth of the learners and the heredity of academic staff, as well as creating of the scientific and teaching staff for the branch research institutions, as well as for the Naval Academy Nikola Vaptsarov.
- Maintaining a high level of awareness of the training departments for the world achievements of science and technology in this scientific specialty;
- Validation of internationally recognized criteria for scientific and applied research.
- Validation of the national authority of the Naval Academy Nikola Vaptsarov as a leading center in scientific and applied research in the marine industry.
The main form of teaching for the doctoral students is self-study, which is combined with the required auditory training in accordance with an approved individual plan. The training of the doctoral students is provided according to the Academic Council-adopted Standard for the compulsory contents of the training for doctoral students and includes activities for completing:
- the educational programme – a curriculum to meet the educational objectives of the doctoral study;
- the scientific programme – research activities related to the production of the doctoral dissertation (PhD thesis).
The course ends with the student defending their doctoral dissertation before an academic panel.
Dynamics, strength and reliability of machinery
Dynamics, strength and reliability of machinery
Technology and organisation of shipbuilding and ship repairs
The doctoral course in Technology and organisation of shipbuilding and ship repairs is taught by the Ship Repairs Department of the Faculty of Engineering at Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy. The course is available in resident, extra-mural or self-study format.
The duration of the resident and self-study versions is up to 3 years – following the acquisition of a master’s degree.
The duration of the extra-mural version is up to 4 years – following the acquisition of a master’s degree.
The training in the doctoral programme in Technology and organisation of shipbuilding and ship repairs, part of occupational area 5.5. Transport, shipping and aviation, is aimed at the development of:
- qualified personnel with higher education in technology and organisation of shipbuilding and ship repairs for the navy and the merchant fleet of the Republic of Bulgaria.
- specialists in the technical operation of ship machinery and equipment and in ship repairs;
- personnel in the sphere of the organisation and management of ship repair yards and companies performing ship repair activities;
- expert personnel for the needs of the state institutions responsible for the formation, organisation and management of shipbuilding and ship repairs;
- personnel for the needs of the specialised structural units in shipbuilding and ship repairs;
- possibilities to regenerate the academic staff at Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy;
- advancement prospects for master’s degree holders.
In the course of training, doctoral students acquire knowledge and develop abilities to autonomously reveal, explore and solve emerging technical issues related with the repairs of shipboard equipment.
Graduates of the doctoral programme in Technology and organisation of shipbuilding and ship repairs find successful realisation as heads of specialised structures in shipbuilding and ship repairs, as specialists in the management and organisation of technological processes in shipbuilding and ship repair enterprises and companies, as academic staff at the Naval Academy, etc.
The training in the doctoral programme in Technology and organisation of shipbuilding and ship repairs is in accordance with the mission, aims and priorities of the Naval Academy and with national law. The specifics of the doctoral programme correspond to the academic environment existing at the Naval Academy.
The training in the doctoral programme in Technology and organisation of shipbuilding and ship repairs accomplishes the following major objectives:
- advancement of the theory of and providing scientific support to practice in the area of fault detection in ship machinery, equipment and systems, as well as the organisation and technology of their repairs, giving priority to the Navy and shipping;
- teamwork in research projects related to the sphere of shipbuilding and ship repairs in parallel with the renovation of the existing training and research facilities;
- enhancement of the qualification of the academic staff and the specialists.
- building up researcher qualities in the students, as well as attitudes for academic work.
The main form of teaching for the doctoral students is self-study, which is combined with the required auditory training in accordance with an approved individual plan. The training of the doctoral students is provided according to the Academic Council-adopted Standard for the compulsory contents of the training for doctoral students and includes activities for completing:
- the educational programme – a curriculum to meet the educational objectives of the doctoral study;
- scientific programme – research activities related to the production of the doctoral dissertation (PhD thesis).
The course ends with the student defending their doctoral dissertation before an academic panel.
Automated information-processing and management systems
The doctoral course in Automated information processing and management systems at Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy is taught by the Information Technology (IT) Department at the Faculty of Engineering.
The clearly observable tendency for information technology to spread ever more widely throughout different spheres and activities of the Bulgarian Navy, the merchant fleet, the marine and other industries, dictates the vital role of the department in the training of doctoral students to analyse and find utilisation of state-of-the-art computerised systems in every aspect of the world around us.
Available for the doctoral students are both training materials and courses from the curricula of globally leading IT companies and specialised computer and communications equipment (switches, routers, servers for virtualisation, etc.) from the Cisco, Microsoft and Oracle Academies established at the NVNA.
The training for the doctoral students is provided in full compliance with the Higher Education Act, the Academic Staff Development Act, The Implementing Rules for the Academic Staff Development Act. the Scientific Research Encouragement Act and the in-house rules of the Naval Academy for doctoral studies.
The course is available in resident, extra-mural or self-study format.
The duration of the resident and self-study versions is up to 3 years – following the acquisition of a master’s degree.
The duration of the extra-mural version is up to 4 years – following the acquisition of a master’s degree.
The training of the doctoral students in Automated information processing and management systems is expected to achieve and accomplish the following aims and objectives:
- providing highly qualified academic staff for training in the field of information technology;
- enhancing the qualification of the students for the operation of new automated information systems used in different spheres;
- developing the theory and facilitating the optimisation of the existing systems, as well as creating new automated systems for processing and managing activities and processes in different fields of the industry;
- stimulating the academic and professional growth of the staff;
- maintaining a high level of informedness in the academic subject;
- building up the students’ researcher qualities and attitudes for academic work;
- raising the level of R&D activities for the continuing reinforcement of the authority of the Naval Academy as national and regional centre for the advancement of naval and maritime science and the application of information technology;
- enhancing the quality of education;
- developing international relations and cooperation with other educational establishments and scientific institutions.
The doctoral students are provided with a stimulating educational environment at the IT Department and the Naval Academy, and they are also able to take part in international projects and realise mobility under the Erasmus+ programme. The course is taught by lecturers with the required qualifications and experience in the relevant academic areas, which facilitates a productive academic environment.
The doctoral students are taught in accordance to an approved individual plan compliant with the Academic Council-adopted Standard for the compulsory contents of the training for doctoral students.
The course ends with the student defending their doctoral dissertation (PhD thesis) before an academic panel. The successful defenders become holders of a doctor’s degree (PhD).
Radio detection and ranging and radio navigation
The doctoral course in Radiolocation and radionavigation is taught by the Electronics Department of the Faculty of Navigation at Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy. It is available in resident, extra-mural or self-study format.
The duration of the resident and self-study versions is up to 3 years – following the acquisition of a master’s degree.
The aims of the doctoral course in Radiolocation and radionavigation include:
- Developing academic personnel for conducting academic and applied science research in the sphere of radiolocation, hydroacoustics, active and passive sonar systems (radio- and hydroacoutic-based), radionavigation systems and networked information systems for surveillance.
- Completing the education and specialisation in the sphere of radiolocation, hydroacoustics and radionavigation for holders of master’s degrees in electronics, syrveillance systems and information systems, including commissioned officers with master’s degrees from the navy and the armed forces from the said subject areas.
- Developing academic personnel for staffing the Faculty of Navigation at the Naval Academy;
- Developing expert personnel for the needs of the SMEs constructing hight-technology centres in the region and in the country.
To achieve those aims the training in the doctoral course in Radiolocation and radionavigation is structured to accomplish objectives related to enhancing the capacities of the trainees as scientific workers; furthering their theoretical preparation in the spheres of radiolocation, hydroacoustics and radionavigation, generation and processing of radio and acoustic signals, automation of the processing of radar, sonar and radionavigation information, visualisation of the information and transfer of data and images to remote locations with radio and sound signals; acquisition of knowledge, skills and habits to use modern technology and equipment for conducting research.
The training of the doctoral students is conducted in accordance with the requirements of the Academic Council-approved Rules concerning the matriculation and training of doctoral students and the acquisition of academic degrees and conforms to the requirements of the Academic Staff Development Act in the Republic of Bulgaria.
The main form of teaching for the doctoral students is self-study, which is combined with the required auditory training in accordance with an approved individual plan.
The course ends with the student defending their doctoral dissertation (PhD thesis) before an academic panel.
Communications networks and systems
The doctoral course in Communication networks and systems at the Electronics Department of the Facult of Navigation at Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy is conducted and taught in compliance with the Higher Education Act, the Academic Staff Development Act and the Rules concerning the matriculation and training of doctoral students and the acquisition of academic degrees at Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy. The course is available in resident, extra-mural or self-study format.
The duration of the resident and the self-study version is up to 3 years, and the extra-mural version takes up to 4 years. The course can be taken following the acquisition of a master’s degree.
The doctoral programme in Communication networks and systems, part of occupational area 5.5. Transport, shipping and aviation, aims at:
- Developing scientists in the area of radio communications, radiolocation, radio navigation and hydroacoustics for the navy, the merchant fleet and the maritime industry.
- Developing expert personnel for the needs of the government administration related to the management, organisation and statutory regulation of the activity in the maritime space and the coastal zones.
- Facilitating the career advancement of the academic staff at the Naval Academy and other similar universities and institutions.
- Facilitating the enhanced effectiveness and quality of the training for the students pursuing a bachelor’s and master’s degree
There are excellent conditions for training on site at the Academy, and it can also be integrated in the European space by participation in international projects and by realisation of mobility through the ERASMUS+ programme.
The course is taught by lecturers with the required qualifications and experience in the relevant academic areas, which facilitates a productive academic environment.
The training of the doctoral students is conducted in specialised laboratories equipped with state-of-the-art instruments and equipment to carry out experimental research. The Naval Academy library offers a modern library service, having around 122000 titles in stock, subscription to 86 publications in paper format, online access to two full-text data bases, etc.
The doctoral programme is supported by specialised domestic and international periodicals.
he main form of teaching for the doctoral students is self-study, adhering to an approved individual plan compliant with the Academic Council-adopted Standard for the compulsory contents of the training for doctoral students.
The course ends with the student defending their doctoral dissertation before an academic panel.
Power supply and electrical systems
The training in the doctoral programme in Ship power supply and electrical systems aims at developing:
- expert personnel for conducting academic and applied science research in the sphere of power supply, electrical systems, running and operating ship power systems, electrical propulsion plants, centralised control systems, ship machinery, facilities and systems;
- expert personnel for shipbuilding and ship repairs companies;
- expert personnel for the academic staff at the Naval Academy and other universities in the country and abroad;
- expert personnel for logistic organisation and companies dealing in the collection, processing, loading/unloading, planning, managing and carrying different types of cargo;
- – expert personnel for the needs of domestic and international companies from the maritime industry who formulate a corporate policy that conforms to the specific requirements in place with regard to the organisation and management of maritime activities;
- expert personnel for the needs of the specialised structural units of economic entities of the intangible sphere (insurance companies, register / classification societies, consulting services and auditing organisations, environmental organisations for the protection of the marine environment, the air and the land) and non-governmental civic organisations in the area of the organisation and management of maritime activities (the headquarters of the aforesaid entities are predominantly in Varna, with remote agencies in the other port locations).
- possibilities to regenerate the academic staff at the Academy;
- advancement prospects for master’s degree holders.
The fulfilment of those aims is accepted as a prerequisite for high quality, increased efficacy and effectiveness in the activities conducted by the marine industry.
The training in the doctoral programme in Ship power supply and electrical systems accomplishes the following major objectives:
- Enhancing the design of ship power supply and electrical systems, whereby increasing the efficiency of the operation of ships and their reliability;
- Creating and opportunity for research and development activities and production of ship electrical systems in Bulgaria, whereby helping the economy of the country.
- Enhancing the competencies of the academic staff for qualified academic oversight and preparation of doctoral students.
- Maintaining and developing interdisciplinary scientific activity in researching the matters of the organisation and the management of maritime activities.
- Continually developing the mutual exchange of academic and applied science research results among the stakeholder organisations and institutions.
- Developing the cognitive abilities of the doctoral students with regard to revealing the existing and emerging issues in the organisation and management of maritime activities.
- Maintaining the developed expert capabilities for determining, researching and solving the issues on domestic and international level in the organisation and management of maritime activities.
- Reinforcing internationally recognised criteria for academic and applied science research.
- Reinforcing the national authority of Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy as a leading centre of academic and applied science research in the marine industry.
The topicality, necessity and significance of the training offered under the doctoral programme in Ship power supply and electrical systems are determined by the need to research and solve the ever-emerging issues in the system of maritime activities (including ones related to the Navy and the maritime education) in the contemporary conditions of the society and the economy, which are related to:
- satisfying the need of highly qualified specialists and modern academic and applied science research in the sphere of Ship power supply and electrical systems to maintain the abilities of the Bulgarian personnel in maritime transport to be competitive.
- enhancing the efficiency of using the available highly qualified academic staff in the formulation, implementation and realisation of a national policy in the sphere of shipbuilding and shipping;
- completing the cycle of quality management in the marine industry, an integral part of which is the organisation and management of maritime activities;
- motivating the activity of the habilitated academic staff to provide academic leadership for doctoral students in the sphere of shipbuilding and shipping;
The doctoral course in Ship power supply and electrical systems is taught by the Electrical Engineering Department of the Faculty of Engineering at Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy. The course is available in resident, extra-mural, self-study or distance-learning format.
The duration of the resident and self-study versions is up to 3 years – following the acquisition of a master’s degree.
The duration of the extra-mural and distance-learning versions is up to 4 years – following the acquisition of a master’s degree.
Operation of water transport, sea and river ports
The course in Operation of water transport, sea ports and river port is taught by the Department of Operation of the Fleet and the Ports, Faculty of Navigation, Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy. The course is available in resident, extra-mural or self-study format.
The duration of the resident and self-study versions is up to 3 years – following the acquisition of a master’s degree.
The duration of the extra-mural version is up to 4 years – following the acquisition of a master’s degree.
The training in Operation of water transport, sea ports and river ports, part of occupational area 5.5. Transport, shipping and aviation is aimed at the development of:
- expert personnel for conducting academic and applied science research in the sphere of the operation of water transport and ports;
- expert personnel for shipping companies;
- expert personnel for the academic staff at the Naval Academy and other similar universities in the country and abroad;
- expert personnel for logistic organisation and companies dealing in the collection, processing, loading/unloading, planning, managing and carrying different types of cargo;
- – expert personnel for the needs of domestic and international companies from the maritime industry who formulate a corporate policy that conforms to the specific requirements in place with regard to the organisation and management of maritime activities;
- expert personnel for the needs of the specialised structural units of economic entities of the intangible sphere (insurance companies, register / classification societies, consulting services and auditing organisations, environmental organisations for the protection of the marine environment, the air and the land) and non-governmental civic organisations in the area of the organisation and management of maritime activities;
- – possibilities to regenerate the academic staff at the Academy;
- – advancement prospects for master’s degree holders.
The fulfilment of those aims is accepted as a prerequisite for high quality, increased efficacy and effectiveness in the activities conducted by the marine industry.
The training in the doctoral programme in Operation of water transport, sea ports and river portsaccomplishes the following major objectives:
- Conducting the operation of the ships and the movement of work force;
- Developing the theory and practice related to water transport operations;
- – Enhancing the competencies of the academic staff for qualified academic oversight and preparation of doctoral students.
- – Maintaining and developing interdisciplinary scientific activity in researching the matters of the organisation and the management of maritime activities.
- – Continually developing the mutual exchange of academic and applied science research results among the stakeholder organisations and institutions.
- – Developing the cognitive abilities of the doctoral students with regard to revealing the existing and emerging issues in the organisation and management of maritime activities.
- – Maintaining the developed expert capabilities for determining, researching and solving the issues on domestic and international level in the organisation and management of maritime activities.
- – Reinforcing internationally recognised criteria for academic and applied science research.
- – Reinforcing the national and international authority of Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy as a leading centre of academic and applied science research in the marine industry;
- Providing educational mobility for foreign doctoral students with regard to the doctoral programme.
The topicality, necessity and significance of the training offered under the doctoral programme in Operation of water transport, sea ports and river ports are determined by the need to research and solve the ever-emerging issues in the system of maritime activities (including ones related to the Navy and the maritime education) in the contemporary conditions of the society and the economy, which are related to:
- satisfying the need of highly qualified specialists and modern academic and applied science research in sphere of the operation of water transport, sea ports and river ports.
- completing the cycle of quality management in the marine industry, an integral part of which is the organisation and management of maritime activities;
- Motivating the activities activity of the habilitated academic staff to provide academic leadership for doctoral students in the sphere of the operation of water transport, sea ports and river ports.
The training in the doctoral programme in Operation of water transport, sea ports and river ports is in accordance with the mission, aims and priorities of the Naval Academy and with national law. The specifics of the doctoral programme correspond to the academic environment existing at the Naval Academy.
The main form of teaching for the doctoral students is self-study, which is combined with the required auditory training in accordance with an approved individual plan. The training of the doctoral students is provided according to the Academic Council-adopted Standard for the compulsory contents of the training for doctoral students and includes activities for completing:
- the educational programme – a curriculum to meet the educational objectives of the doctoral study;
- scientific programme – research activities related to the production of the doctoral dissertation (PhD thesis).
The course ends with the student defending their doctoral dissertation before an academic panel.