The New Academic Year Was Officially Opened

Monday, 17 September 2012 18:30

The national, European and students anthem "Gaudeamus igitur" announced the beginning of the solemn opening of the 92nd jubilee academic year at the University of National and World Economy. At the presidium at the overcrowded with students, lecturers and employees Maxima Aula took their seats the Rector of the university Prof. D. Sc. (Econ.) Statty Stattev, Ivan Iskrov, Governor of Bulgarian National Bank and an alumnus of UNWE, the Honorary Rector of UNWE Prof. Dr. Borislav Borisov, Prof. Dr. Stoyan Stoyanov, Chairman of the General Assembly of the university and Kaloyan Dimitrov, Chairman of the Students Council.

The overcrowded Maxima Aula

Prof. Stoyan Stoyanov opened the ceremony and outlined the symbolism in the fact that on this festive day are celebrated also the Christian holiday of Faith, Hope and Love and the Day of Sofia.

It is a great honour to me as a Rector to open the ceremony for the 92nd academic year of our glorious university whose spirituality is built on the traditions, efforts and dedication of many generations of lecturers, students and employees, pointed out in his speech Prof. D. Sc. (Econ.) Statty Stattev. He reminded that more than nine decades ago in the hardest years after the Liberation of Bulgaria Prof. Stephan Bobchev, the founder and the first Rector of the university, together with his colleagues and by the own funds have established the Free University of Political and Economic Science, the predecessor of UNWE. Speaking about the great authority of the university today, the Rector outlined that one of the proofs in this relation is the huge interest of the numerous prospective students.  For a consecutive year our university succeeded to fill up all the announced places even in August and it occurred in the conditions of demographic collapse, low results from the matriculation exams and a retained high score with compulsory exams for prospective students”, outlined Prof. Stattev. For the first time at the UNWE are admitted 300 students more who will study in a distance form of education in Sofia and the number of the first year undergraduates for this year is about 4000.

From the left to the right: Prof. Stoyanov, Prof. Stattev, Ivan Iskrov,

Prof. Borisov, Kaloyan Dimitrov.

The Rector greeted the first year undergraduates and pointed out that in the new world waiting for them there are a lot of charm and fine friendships but “the most important thing is to invest in yourselves because it is an investment in your future”. Prof. Stattev reminded that it lies ahead them to face different challenges and their education will be led by the most authoritative Bulgarian lecturers and scientists. “Be students with self-confidence because you are going to study at the best university. UNWE is already your university and you are an inseparable part of it. It is the university of the most motivated students”, said the Rector. Believe in yourselves, be honest citizens and good people who look for the truth and defend it, appealed Prof. Stattev the young people. 

The Rector Prof. Statty Stattev

(Full Text of the Welcoming Speech of Prof. Statty Stattev)

Those of us who are in one way or another related to UNWE have all the grounds to be proud both of the past and the present of our university, pointed out the Governor of Bulgarian National Bank Ivan Iskrov. He defined the huge change in the ambience and the modernization of the university campus as amazing. “I and the people of my generation can only nobly envy present day UNWE students for the fantastic conditions for study and vast access to information, which regretfully we did not have at our time”, said also the alumnus of UNWE. The most valuable asset of the university remains the people - its students and professors and the UNWE has generated and continues to produce many of the management personnel in the economy. “Many of the people on the most responsible government positions, including tens of ministers and politicians have graduated UNWE. There is no Bulgarian government, I know of, in the recent 20 years that could not boast of at least a few key ministers – UNWE graduates, outlined Ivan iskrov. He also pointed out that at the Bulgarian National Bank 44% of its body, 23 of 29 Heads of the bank and five of the seven members of the Governing Council including among them also Prof. Statty Stattev have graduated UNWE.

Ivan Iskrov

Numerous possibilities are open to you, turned to students Ivan Iskrov. “I did not know back then when I was a student at UNWE that I would one day become Governor of the Central Bank of Bulgaria. You too should not be surprised today that you are the future economists, financiers, industrialists – the leaders of tomorrow’s Bulgaria. And enjoying the full rights of citizens of the EU, many of you will achieve successful realization abroad as well, including at senior positions at European or other international institutions. Wherever you may find yourselves to be and at all times, do not forget that your motherland is Bulgaria. Here is where your roots are! This in no way runs counter to the common European values.”

(Full Text of the Welcoming Speech of Ivan Iskrov)

By a welcoming speech to the audience at the Maxima Aula turned also Prof. Dr. Borislav Borisov, Honorary Rector of UNWE and Rector for two mandates (2003 – 2011). “What is that which urges the university to live and to develop more than 90 years? What is that in the root that urges the tree to grow permanently and to turn into a venerable oak with new and new sprouts? For me the answer is the following: This, which is enshrined in the foundation of the university!”, pointed out Prof. Borisov. He emphasized on the freedom of spirit, the freedom of ideas, the freedom to respect traditions, the freedom of the academic tolerance. 

 Prof. Borislav Borisov

(Full Text of the Welcoming Spech of Prof. Borislav Borisov)


The attendants also listened to the welcoming speech of Kaloyan Dimitrov, Chairman of the Students Council who greeted the first year undergraduates for their choice to study at the best Bulgarian university. “You will be asked to be responsible, to prove yourselves permanently and to form yourselves as personalities, outlined Kaloyan Dimitrov. The corridors of our university are full of vigilant youth academic community having the public spirit that the future of Bulgaria is in its hands.”

Kaloyan Dimitrov

The first year undergraduate Evelina Yotova having the highest score in the field Economics and Business greeted her colleagues too. “For me UNWE is a dream that I realized by a lot of work. We need two things to succeed: a chance and efforts, said Evelina Yotova.

Evelina Yotova

Prof. Statty Stattev and Ivan Iskrov laid wreaths at the Monument of Prof. Stephan Bobchev. 

Flowers in front of the Monument of Prof. Stephan Bobchev

The opening of the academic year was directly broadcasted by the internet.

The Golden Book of UNWE

Our university has a Golden Book which was opened at its foundation in 1920 and the first signs in it have been those of King Boris III and princess Evdokiya, the Rector showed the unique chronicle to the attendants at the Maxima Aula. Since the signs of the seven members of the first Academic Council till today in the book have been collected messages from Prime Ministers, European commissioners, scientists, said also Prof. Stattev and gave the Golden Book to Ivan Iskrov.

In the Golden Book of UNWE the Governor of Bulgarian National Bank wrote:

Dear reader of these lines,

I would like to share my pride that I have graduated with distinction the University of National and World Economy – an undisputed leader in the higher education in economics in Bulgaria. My student years will remain among the best moments in my life. Here I met some of my best friends – fellow students and professors. Here I realized that the freedom of human spirit is the most valuable asset and put all my efforts into establishing academic autonomy and student self-rule. Here I met the love of my life. Here I got the exceptionally extensive training that made me what I am now.

I will keep my best memories of my Alma Mater.

Keep your memories, too!

Ivan Iskrov is reading his message in the Golden Book of UNWE.

 

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