USING BIM AS A CATALYST FOR CHANGE IN CIVIL ENGINEERING EDUCATION IN BULGARIA: OPPORTUNITIES AND PERSPECTIVES

Abstract

The article examines the role of Building Information Modeling (BIM) as a systemic catalyst for the transformation of higher civil engineering education in Bulgaria. Based on an analysis of national and international peer-reviewed research (systematic reviews, global assessments of BIM integration in education, empirical studies on project-based learning and virtual/augmented reality), the main challenges are identified – insufficient teacher qualifications, institutional resistance, outdated infrastructure, and weak industry connection. A comparative analysis of traditional and BIM-based pedagogical approaches is made. In conclusion, a framework for sustainable integration of BIM in Bulgarian universities is proposed, based on three interacting pillars: academic framework, industrial partnership, and state/European policy.