On March 27–28, 2026, the University of National and World Economy (UNWE) successfully hosted the Bulgarian segment of the international hackathon SpaceHACK for Sustainability 2026. This prestigious event was organized globally by Arizona State University (ASU), with the National Sustainable Development Network (SDSN Bulgaria) and the PMI Bulgaria Chapter serving as the key co-organizers in Bulgaria.
A Hub for Innovation at UNWE
The event in Sofia brought together 25 students from UNWE, joining a global cohort of over 500 participants from five universities across the USA, France, and Ecuador. The Bulgarian session was opened by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mihail Musov, Co-Chair of SDSN Bulgaria, who delivered a message on behalf of Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov, Rector of UNWE.
The hackathon provided students with a platform to exercise critical and analytical thinking to solve pressing societal challenges. During the two-day intensive session, the Bulgarian students received expert guidance and mentorship from a distinguished group of academic leaders:
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mihail Musov – Co-Chair of SDSN Bulgaria.
- Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov – Rector of UNWE and Co-Chair of SDSN Bulgaria.
- Prof. Dr. Svetlana Alexandrova – Representing the “MIO and Business” Department.
- Prof. Dr. Venelin Boshnakov – Department of Statistics and Econometrics, UNWE.
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Plamen Milev – Department of Information Technologies and Communications, UNWE.
Global Collaboration with Arizona State University
SpaceHACK is an annual initiative led by the ASU Library Unit for Data Science and Analytics. The 2026 edition was further sponsored by W. P. Carey’s Center for Responsible Supply Chain Management. Dr. Kerri Rittschof, Director of Data Science & Analytics at ASU, welcomed participants by emphasizing that the event is more than a competition – it is an opportunity for global collaboration and impact. The event also featured a keynote from Dr. Brian Cairns, Deputy Project Scientist at NASA and Columbia University.
Hacking for a Better Planet
Participants utilized satellite data to address three critical sustainability tracks:
- Innovating the Net-Zero Supply Chain: Focusing on decarbonizing global trade and making green corridors scalable.
- Mangroves and Coastal Cities: Mapping and monitoring mangroves to strengthen flood protection for urban areas.
- Climate Change and the Alpine Information Battle: Using satellite data to verify climate claims and counter misinformation regarding retreating glaciers.
This collaboration between PMI Bulgaria Chapter, UNWE, and ASU highlights the essential role of project management and data science in shaping responsible future leaders. All students who presented solutions will receive official certificates of participation in the coming week.
