Abstract:

The project entitled BG05M2OP001-2.013-0001 "Student practices - Phase 2" with a 40-month implementation period of the Ministry of Education and Science under the Operational Program "Science and Education for Intelligent Growth'' (OPSEIG) 2014-2020, co-financed by the European Social Fund, started in 2020 and at the beginning of the second half of 2022 it has almost completely realized its set goals (accepted applications of 42,909 students, out of 44,000 set). The project is an opportunity for students to successfully undergo practical training (practice) in a real work environment.

The University of Library Studies and Information Technologies, Sofia, Bulgaria, has developed various methods and approaches that have been successfully included in the current educational process. Thus, for the second time the University takes an active part in the Student Internships - Phase 2 Project, as this is an exceptional opportunity to create an up-to-date idea of the needs of the modern work environment, as well as a great opportunity for students to test their capabilities and establish full contacts with potential employers.

The Department of Library Management and Archival Studies is a leader in the number of students who have successfully completed practical training on the project from the departments at the Faculty of Library Studies and Cultural Heritage, ULSIT. These results confirm the trend from the first phase of the project and are an indicator of the sustainable interest of students in opportunities to become part of the professional community while they are still studying. A high percentage of students believe that they are ready to succeed in the labor market with the knowledge and skills acquired at ULSIT. This is proved by the high percentage of students to whom employers have offered jobs after the end of their practical training.

The purpose of the report is to present up-to-date data on the participation of bachelor and master students from the specialties of Archival and Documentary Studies and Management of Documents and Archives at the Department of Library Management and Archival Studies, ULSIT to go through a practical training that does not duplicate or replace mandatory practical training in the curriculum. The report analyzes data on student participation until the end of the 2021/2022 academic year. The data presented is the result of a study of academic documentation and data collected from previous surveys and research on the topic.

Keywords:

Higher education, bachelor students, master students, Archival and Documentary Studies, ULSIT, Bulgaria.