Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy is the oldest technical educational institution in Bulgaria. The Naval Academy is one of the symbols of Varna and Bulgaria in the world maritime community. Its history and achievements establish it as the most prestigious center for training of maritime specialists. At present, the Naval Academy trains specialists for the Navy and for the merchant marine in all areas of maritime life. Research and development conducted at the Naval Academy in Varna, Bulgaria have established its reputation as a center of maritime science and marine technologies.

The training in NVNA is assigned to highly qualified and talented lecturers. The curricula and the syllabi conform to the stringent requirements of IMO (International Maritime Organization) and aim at the safety of navigation. The education process is organized in two Faculties, Navigation and Engineering, and the Department for Postgraduate Qualification. The training facilities of Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy provide both theoretical and practical training, using state-of-the-art methods and technologies. The Naval Academy is a regional educational and research and development center in the field of sea related issues. In additional to the educational activities, the Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy (NVNA) supports several research and development units. The NVNA has an extensive experience in management and participation in project activities.

In recent decades, Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy has played an active role in the international maritime community. It is connected primarily with contracts for bilateral cooperation with other naval academies and maritime institutions in the USA, Canada, Asia, Australia, Europe. NVNA is a member of several prestigious international organizations and structures: International Consortium of Military Academies and Scientific Institutes in matters of security and defense, whose membership includes more than 200 organizations from 40 countries of the EuroAtlantic Council partnership. The Naval Academy is a co-founder and member of the International Association of Maritime Universities – IAMU. The Academy’s managerial and teaching staff regularly participate in the General Assembly of the Association held in different parts of the world. The Naval Academy is also a member of the International Maritime Lecturers Association – IMLA and is hosting the 28th IMLA / 33th IMEC Conference on 6 – 9 September 2023.

Volumes 5S and 6S of Journal Pedagogy include papers of IMLA28/IMEC33 conference that meet the journal requirements, as a scientific theoretical and methodological journal combining respective areas of knowledge in a wider range of information, such as education for Adults, Comparative Education, Special Education, History of Pedagogy, Social Pedagogy and reflect the innovative ideas, experimental results, modern trends and prospects for development of teaching science and enrichment of actual teaching practice.

Editors of the Special Issue:

Prof. Dr. Nedko DIMITROV– Bulgaria Prof. Asen KOZHUKHAROV, DSc. – Bulgaria Dr. Sergey KARIANSKYI, Assoc. Prof. – Ukraine Technical editor – Ina DONCHEVA – Bulgaria Proofreading editor – Stanislava IVANOVA – Bulgaria

Prof. Dr. Nedko DIMITROV, Captain Navy Dean of Navigation Faculty of Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy