Dr. Mohammad Salih Mustafa Presents a Paper on Middle East Issues at the 25th Annual FEBA Conference in Sofia University
In a momentous three-day event, the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration (FEBA) at Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski hosted its twenty-fifth annual conference, themed, Sustainability, Social Economy, and Digital Transformation, held from December 13th-15th, 2023 in Sofia, Bulgaria. Among the participants was Dr. Mohammad Salih Mustafa, Head of the International Relations and Diplomacy Department, Faculty of Administrative Sciences and Economics at Tishk International University (TIU).
Dr. Mustafa, representing Tishk International University, presented a thought-provoking paper titled “The Predominant Political and Economic Issues of the Middle East.” The presentation delved into critical geopolitical and economic challenges facing the region. The collaboration between TIU and Sofia University, solidified in a partnership signed last May in the Kurdistan Region, was underscored by Dr. Mustafa’s involvement.
During his visit, Dr. Mustafa was warmly received by Associate Prof. Dr. Todor Yalamov, Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Projects, who concurrently serves as the Vice Dean of FEBA. The meeting reinforced the commitment to fostering academic ties and cross-cultural understanding between the two institutions.
The conference’s opening session featured the participation of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Atanas Georgiev, the Dean of FEBA, and Prof. Dr. Dieter Flemig, a distinguished guest professor with a decade-long association with the Faculty. Prof. Flemig, also the co-founder and chairman of the Club of Sofia, brought valuable insights into sustainable mobility and energy, aligning with the conference’s overarching theme.
The collaboration between the universities, initiated in response to the needs of businesses in Bulgaria and the Kurdistan Region, was championed by various stakeholders, including Mr. Michael Yalda of the Haskovo Chamber of Commerce and Industry (HCCI), the international company MKRTNI, and experts on Arab affairs Anastas Terzobaliev and Mikhail Argatski.
Throughout the conference, discussions emphasized the role of education as a tool for civil diplomacy in foreign affairs. The Faculty of Economics aims to play a pivotal role in bilateral and multilateral relations, underscoring the importance of international collaboration.
The involvement of business representatives and experts in Arab affairs showcased the practical and multidimensional nature of the conference’s discussions. FEBA’s commitment to responsible leadership and societal development was evident, reflecting a vision that intertwines the history of the faculty with priorities for its future development.
Many international students, including doctoral and MBA students accredited by AMBA, from various Arab countries such as Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Qatar, Yemen, Syria, and Morocco, and non-Arab countries, such as Iran participated in the conference. Among them were entrepreneurs, diplomats, and managers. Diplomats from Tunisia and Libya, as well as Ahmad Alaeddin, the chairman of the Lebanon-Bulgarian Business Council and a close friend of the Faculty of Economics, attended as guests.
Dr. Mustafa, who holds a doctoral degree from the University of Exeter, took part in the session where Assoc. Prof. Dr. Stanley Goshov from the University of Exeter presented a comprehensive study on tax evasion and non-payment in Bulgaria. Trifon Pavkov, a doctoral student at Exeter and an honoured lecturer in public finance at the Faculty of Economics, is a co-author of Prof. Goshov’s article. Prof. Dr. Jean-Francois Roche also participated in the debate.
There were participants from different countries, such as Germany, France, United Kingdom, Colombia, Cyprus, Bulgaria, and the Kurdistan Region.
