‘John Atanasov Awards’: How is Bulgaria Building Its Next Generation of IT Talent?

The John Atanasov Awards are once again putting young talent in computer science in the spotlight. Applications have closed, and researchers, creators of projects with a significant social impact, as well as students and pupils with successful projects are now set to be recognised. According to representatives of the technology sector, the right environment, mentoring and early education are key to developing talent.

Ognyan Trayanov, founder of an interactive science and technology centre: “One of the great benefits for participants is receiving an assessment from competent people. Being put in the spotlight makes you recognisable. Every award gives you recognition – it shows that you are already seen as a promising talent, and that you have a responsibility to give back to society.”

According to Trayanov, past award winners go on to become mentors to the next generation.

Examples include scientists and specialists working for world-leading companies and research organisations.

Svetlin Nakov, programmer and entrepreneur: “We have world-class minds, but these minds are built by an ecosystem. Many of them start out as pupils, then become students, before eventually becoming professionals, teachers and mentors who give their knowledge back to that ecosystem.”

According to the participants in the discussion, Bulgaria has a long tradition of teaching computer science and competitive programming, dating back decades.

Svetlin Nakov: “Bulgaria was a founding country of the International Olympiad in Informatics, as well as the International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence and the International Linguistics Olympiad. We have strong traditions. And to work in this field, all you need is a laptop and an internet connection. That makes the field much more accessible.”

According to Ognyan Trayanov, these traditions need to be built upon through early education and more targeted specialisation.

Ognyan Trayanov: “We need to spark interest as early as the first or second year of primary school. When a child realises that they can be not only a consumer but also a creator of technology, that is a very important step.”

Teachers also play a key role, as they are often the first to recognise children's potential.

Biserka Yovcheva, computer science teacher and head of a competitive programming school in Shumen: “It is a difficult process because the child themselves must want to do it. But when someone starts at a young age, it takes an extraordinary amount of effort. That effort continues for years, and when a person perseveres, the results follow.”

The development of artificial intelligence is also changing the way future programmers are trained.

Biserka Yovcheva: “A lot of people ask me whether artificial intelligence will replace programmers. My answer is that many programmers may indeed lose their jobs, but those who continue to work will be precisely the people we are training – the very best.”

According to the participants, investment in early education, mentoring and the development of the technology ecosystem will be key to keeping Bulgaria among the countries with a high concentration of IT talent.