The Rector and the Minister of Education Opened the New Academic Year 2023/2024 at the UNWE
The Rector of UNWE Prof. Dimitar Dimitrov and the Minister of Education and Science Prof. Galin Tsokov opened the new academic year 2023/2024 at the UNWE.
The national, European and student anthem "Gaudeamus igitur" marked the start of the ceremony at the largest business university in South East Europe.
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| The Rector of UNWE Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov, the Minister of Education and Science Prof. Dr. Galin Tsokov and the President of the Student Council Ilian Chabukliisky |
The Rector of UNWE Prof. Dimitar Dimitrov welcomed the students, lecturers and employees pointing out that in the current year the UNWE had a record number of applicants and a higher admission score. The University can boast of a successful admissions campaign and much more new students than the expected ones. Prof. Dr Dimitar Dimitrov pointed out that this success is due to the fact that the University sets high standards, builds on what has been achieved and is constantly in a process of transformation. He emphasized that the University is a member of the elite university network ENGAGE.EU and that the UNWE students can be proud to say that they have studied in 9 universities during their education. The UNWE provides mobility opportunities to more than 100 foreign universities.
The Rector pointed out that the University has very strong relations with the business community, organizes joint business academies with leading companies, provides excellent work experience opportunities and holds many career-focused events which results in an almost 100% realization of its graduates even from the student bench.
Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov also highlighted the efforts made by the Rector's leadership to make the UNWE a green university pointing out the completed photovoltaic park project, one of the largest in the field of education in general. He outlined that the renovation of the University Library will soon be completed and that hundreds of measures have been taken to make the University energy efficient and to improve the teaching and administrative process especially for students and lecturers. Several university campuses are created and the student dormitories are renovated with a focus on a better aesthetic environment for living and learning.
"I am thrilled by the excitement you feel as you cross the threshold of your alma mater. This is an important step in your life which is the result of the serious and thorough efforts you have made during the past academic year", addressed to the new first-year students Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov and pointed out: "I can assure you that among you are the future leaders of Bulgaria - entrepreneurs, economic analysts, consultants, ministers and presidents. Because the UNWE is a springboard for talents. Because at the University of National and World Economy hundreds of our distinguished compatriots have taken their first steps in the knowledge forming the elite of the nation, including ten Prime Ministers of Bulgaria as well as the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund - Kristalina Georgieva, Doctor Honoris Causa of our University".
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The Rector Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov |
The Minister of Education and Science Prof. Dr. Galin Tsokov addressed to the new students saying: "You have chosen a university that will not only prepare you at a high level, not only give you a love for knowledge and science but will open the way for a very successful career in life - something that every modern university should do. So once again, I want to greet both the Rector's leadership and the lecturers of the University, those over 500 leading lecturers in our country, and you, on the occasion of the opening of the new academic year 2023-2024. Good luck and keep being innovative and all the best!"
The Minister Tsokov cited in front of the full hall a part of his dedication in UNWE's Golden Book which has existed since the University was founded 103 years ago and in which many celebrities have left their messages: "Let the UNWE preserve its 100-year-old traditions of functioning but on the other hand to be the innovator that will transform the Bulgarian higher education to be suitable for Industry 5.0".
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The Minister of Education and Science Prof. Dr. Galin Tsokov |
"Dear first-year students, I greet you that you are now in the alma mater of Bulgarian economic science and education, in the forge of the future human capital in the economy. Welcome and congratulations for your choice!", said Prof. Dr. Lalko Dulevsky, Chairman of the UNWE General Assembly.
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Prof. Dr. Lalko Dulevsky |
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Eng. Lilyana Valcheva, Chairwoman of UNWE's Trustees Board, gave high assessment for the ability of the Rector and his team to create a noble environment for students to show and develop their skills. She addressed a message to the new first-year students: "You will feel how much the UNWE lecturers and employees will give you. Use your years at UNWE to grow, make friends, acquire knowledge and skills and to become the best future leaders. Behind every effort will be the smiles, efforts and noble work of your professors".
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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Eng. Lilyana Valcheva |
"Dear first-year students, first of all, be proud of your choice, our university is leading, precisely because of us – the students and our achievements", said the Chairman of the Student Council Ilian Chabukliysky and addressed the lecturers with the words: "Over the years you have proven that you are some of the best professionals in your fields, your task is one of the most important - to build the future managers of both the state and the large business companies".
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The Chairman of the Student Council Ilian Chabukliysky |
The Chairman of the National Representation of Student Councils Daniel Parushev |
"I am very proud that in the last four years we have seen a new vision in the development of UNWE, a new visionary. Not only the opening of the new campus, not only the improvement of the halls, the material facilities, the dormitories, is one of the merits of this Rector's leadership. I am happy that the Rector has been able to put together a really good team with which he has been able to restore the good spirit and the good name of the University. Due to his team, things have been done in a really good way and the funds allocated for student hostels have been used", said Daniel Parushev, Chairman of the National Representation of Student Councils.
The solemn opening was also attended by H. E. Do Hoang Long, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Socialist Republic of Vietnam, H. E. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zeljko Jovic, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Serbia, Acting Ambassador of Montenegro to Bulgaria Mrs. Jelena Filipovic-Stoyanov, Mr. Abdellatif Ait El Amiri, Minister Counsellor of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco.
In a video address the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Bulgaria H.E. Mr. Dong Xiaojun emphasized on the good cooperation in the recent years between the Shanghai Jiao Tong University and the UNWE.
"A number of lecturers and students visited Shanghai for training or exchange which allowed many Chinese friends to get to know the youthful and modern image of Bulgaria. At the same time, the Chinese lecturers offered Chinese language elective courses at your university building a bridge for academic exchanges between China and Bulgaria", said H. E. Mr. Dong Xiaojun.
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| H. E. Mr. Dong Xiaojun |
During the ceremony one of the graduates of the Class 2022-2023 Zornitsa Micheva, Master of Law, symbolically handed over the history of UNWE to the first year student Vasil Petrov, specialty Business Economics and Management taught in English, full-time study. He is one of the 60 students admitted to the UNWE with the highest score.
"I would like to assure all first year students that the UNWE is the place where you will gain valuable knowledge and skills for your future profession. Be inspired by your lecturers and benefit from their rich experience", advised the first-year students Zornitsa Micheva.
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Zornitsa Micheva |
Vasil Petrov |
"We, the new first-year students, know that it won't be easy: there will be difficult moments, there will be sleepless nights, there will be more than a few exams but the road to success is always littered with obstacles. We know this and we have the desire, the ambition and the will to walk it. I am sure for myself and for the rest of the first-year students that we have the desire to contribute to the development of the economic environment in Bulgaria and I believe that after our training at the UNWE we will acquire the necessary qualifications and skills to do so", said Vasil Petrov.
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The solemn opening ceremony in Maxima Aula was attended by representatives of the Academic Council, Vice-Rectors Prof. Dr. Matilda Alexandrova-Boshnakova, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Michail Musov, Prof. Dr. Tsvetana Stoyanova, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rosen Kirilov, the Assistant Rector Prof. D.Sc. /Econ./ Kiril Stoychev, Prof. Dr. Lalko Dulevsky, Chairman of the UNWE General Assembly, Prof. Dr. Daniela Feschian, Chairman of the UNWE Control Council, Deans, Heads of Departments, Secretaries General, lecturers, employees, representatives of the UNWE Trustees Board, among them Maxim Behar, the Mayor of the Students district Petko Goranov, the Mayor of Kostinbrod Trayko Mladenov. There were also Rectors of higher education institutions, partners from employers' organizations, including Vasil Velev, Chairman of the Board of the Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association, etc.
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| Maxim Behar, Member of the Trustees Board, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Eng. Lilyana Valcheva, Chairperson of the Trustees Board and Chairperson of the National Branch Syndicate of Higher Education and Science /VON-KNSB/, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rosen Kirilov, Vice Rector for Digitalization and Cybersecurity, the Rector Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov, Minister Galin Tsokov, Prof. Dr. Daniela Feschian, Chairperson of the UNWE Control Council, Prof. Dr. Tsvetana Stoyanova, Vice Rector for Institutional and Business Cooperation and Student Policy, Prof. Dr. Matilda Alexandrova, Vice Rector for Academic Activities and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Michail Musov, Vice Rector for Research and International Affairs |
Before the opening of the new academic year the Rector Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov met with the Minister of Education and Science Prof. Dr. Galin Tsokov who wrote in the Golden Book of UNWE:
"Dear Rector,
I wish the largest and the most prestigious business university in Bulgaria to preserve the good traditions and academic education and to be the leading innovator of changes in higher education in the conditions of Industry 5.0."
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Greeting addresses were received by Dimitar Radev, Governor of the Bulgarian National Bank, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Atanas Atanasov, President of the National Statistical Institute, Dobry Mitrev, Chairman of the Managing Board of the Bulgarian Industrial Association, Daniel Parushev, Chairman of the National Representation of Student Councils in the Republic of Bulgaria, Maya Gesheva, Director of the National High School in Finance and Business, Prof. D.Sc. /Pol./ Georgy Manolov, President of the Higher School of Security and Economics and the Mayor of Bourgas Dimitar Nikolov.
The Atmosphere on the First Academic Day at the UNWE
