The GATE Institute at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” has been awarded the prestigious annual “ACADEMIC PROJECT OF THE YEAR” prize during the international conference InfoSec SEE 2026 – the largest cybersecurity event in Southeast Europe.
The award recognizes the leading role of the GATE Institute in the development of big data and artificial intelligence technologies, as well as the institute’s high level of expertise in building reliable and secure digital ecosystems. The practical orientation of its scientific research and its successful implementation in solutions of public significance – supporting industry, the public sector, and the digital resilience of society – also contributed to the recognition.
The award is presented annually by the InfoSec SEE organizing committee to an academic institution with proven contributions to the advancement of information security, innovation, and knowledge transfer between science and business. Over the years, the distinction has been awarded to leading Bulgarian higher education institutions, including the Technical University of Sofia, the University of National and World Economy (UNWE), the Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy, and the Higher School of Telecommunications and Posts.
The GATE Institute is the first Centre of Excellence in Bulgaria in the field of big data and artificial intelligence, established jointly by Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” and Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden. The institute develops innovative research and applied projects in areas such as future cities, digital healthcare, and intelligent governance. One of GATE’s key focus areas is also the creation of trustworthy ecosystems for secure data exchange between different stakeholders.
“Digital sustainability is no longer just a technological issue – it is a matter of trust, security, and the ability of society to function confidently in the world of artificial intelligence and data. For us, this award is a recognition that science and innovation can have a real impact on society and the economy,” said GATE Director of Business Development Georgi Randelov during the InfoSec SEE 2026 ceremony.
GATE’s mission is to conduct applied research, develop innovation, and provide education in the field of big data and artificial intelligence in collaboration with government, industry, entrepreneurs, and startups.
InfoSec SEE 2026 brought together information security experts, system architects, engineers, auditors, and technology companies from across the region. This year’s edition was held in a hybrid format and focused on the theme “Securing the Digital Tomorrow.”