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Training of PhD students in scientific specialty "International Law and International Relations" Law and History Faculty of the Southwestern University "Neofit Rilski" - Blagoevgrad meets the current trends in the development of science in the field of a PhD programme. Regarding this a few basic goals and tasks related to the training program are formulated:

1. Priority objective in the preparation of cadres is acquiring educational and scientific degree "doctor";
2. Addressing the specific needs of the Law and History Faculty, in particular the Department of "International Law and International Relations" for development of personnel through training of qualified cadres;
3. Topicality of the programmes based in the scientific subject;
4. Preparation of cadres who will be competitive in the application of theoretical knowledge and practical skills in specialized areas;
5. Stimulating scientific researches (as a team and individually);
6. Assimilation of knowledge, skills and experience needed to work in a dynamic environment which defines international law and international relations;
7. High quality of the PhD programmes, complemented with multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary programmes;
8. Competitiveness of the PhD programme at European and international level, thereby contributing to strengthening and enhancing the prestige of the institution;
9. Investing in the development of the young researcher and his/her realization on the labor market as a highly professional;
10. Maintenance and development of advanced knowledge base by transferring both existing and by exploring new knowledge, experience and skills.

The main priority areas set out in the PhD programme in "International Law and International Relations", aim at upgrading the already received knowledge in the field, as well as acquisition and approval of the necessary educational and scientific experience among the students. These priorities cover scientific and theoretical accumulation of teaching experience and methodological skills, language training and training in the field of information technologies.

Scientific and theoretical training of PhD students is essential with regard not only to the scientific significance of their dissertations, but also their subsequent realization in the scientific field. The systematic and thorough theoretical training of PhD students enables them to acquire knowledge and skills necessary to perform original works in a relevant scientific problem and themes.

Directly related to the scientific and theoretical training of PhD students is the accumulation of teaching experience and methodological skills. The process of preparation of PhD students in this priority area starts from the second year of their training and includes conducting seminars with students majoring in "Law", "Public Administration", "International Relations" and "European Studies". This is possible only after the PhD students have completed the necessary preparation of the course in a certain discipline and have successfully passed the exams set in the individual plan. Conducting regular meetings of PhD students with their tutors, consultations with the holders of the various disciplines involved as a minimum in their individual plans, as well as visiting specialized seminars and conferences in this area are the foundation on which any methodological skills and possibilities are based on.

Good foreign language skills are set as a compulsory requirement when applying for admission of PhD on "International Law and International Relations". For a scientific field like public international law, law of international treaties, diplomatic and consular law, international relations, a foreign language is a necessity, especially in the development of a dissertation in order to research and analyze international experience, the availability of specialized researches and bibliography, as well as the traditions and scientific achievements in this field.

The work with PhD students in the Department of "International Law and International Relations" aims at achieving a complex, thorough and comprehensive preparation meeting all the criteria for acquiring educational and scientific degree "doctor".