The Rector and the Chairperson of the National Assembly Opened the New Academic Year 2024/2025 at the UNWE
The Rector of UNWE Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov and the Chairperson of the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria Raya Nazaryan, who is a graduate of our university, opened the new academic year 2024/2025 at the UNWE.
The national, European and student anthem Gaudeamus Igitur gave the start of the solemn ceremony at the largest business university in Southeastern Europe.
Prof. Dimitrov welcomed the students, lecturers and employees pointing out that the UNWE had a record number of prospective students and a higher admission rate in the current year. The University can boast of successful prospective students campaign and admission of many more new students than expected. Prof. Dimitrov outlined that the UNWE has the highest accreditation assessment of all Bulgarian universities - 9.80 out of 10.00. An assessment that measures the quality of education and is a guarantee that the University provides the best, most profound and modern education. Prof. Dimitrov emphasized in particular that the UNWE has a virtual tour with a total area of over 54,000 m² - one of the largest virtual tours in the world. It features indoor navigation for the building allowing you to reach every single hall.
The Rector paid attention to the fact that the University has very good relations with the business world, which means that almost 100% of its graduates are taken on by the student bank.
Prof. Dimitrov emphasized that 12 Prime Ministers have graduated from the UNWE and that there is no government without at least three Ministers who have studied at the University.
"UNWE's century-old fame forces us to be modern. UNWE is the most digitized university in Bulgaria, all administrative services are available online, our students have digital study books that they carry with them on their cell phones. Being responsible for your future we actively support the green ideas. We have built a photovoltaic park, which is the largest ever built by an educational institution", outlined the Rector.
"It is an honour for me to be a graduate of UNWE because by studying here I will always be part of a family that has given to Bulgaria prominent scientists, politicians, diplomats, economists and lawyers", said Raya Nazaryan. She expressed thankfulness to the Managing body of the University for setting a high objective every year - to make the UNWE a leader in higher education. She greeted the first year students and wished them to make the best use of the knowledge and skills they would receive from the lecturers, to spare no efforts and to move forward. "In my experience, what I have learned here at the Law Faculty has given me such a solid knowledge and foundation that it is useful to me every day in my professional career", outlined Mrs. Nazaryan. "I believe in your success and remind you that your potential is truly the most valuable asset our country has", said the Chairperson of the National Assembly.
"The development of our country is not possible without a world-class education and a modern and high-quality Bulgarian science. Study, spare no efforts, set high goals, even go out of your comfort zone - this is the way to move forward", said also Mrs. Nazaryan.
The Deputy Governor and the BNB Board Member Assoc. Prof. Dr. Petar Chobanov, who is not only a graduate but also a lecturer at the UNWE, also delivered a speech at the opening of the new academic year.
"I remember my first days as a student at the UNWE speciality Macroeconomics. When I was admitted to this speciality I was told that it provides three options for a job - a lecturer, director or minister. At that times it seemed like a good option. I said to myself, okay, lecturer", noted Assoc. Prof. Dr. Petar Chobanov adding: "What is important in today's world, at least for me, is the network that we build - the network that we build among ourselves as lecturers, the big network with the students that continues developing as well as the fact that the Managing body of our university and the University itself has a vision of the way we go with the network we build in international scale with other universities. We see that we have already crossed the borders of our continent, we enter other continents and we continue to prove that we have something to give. To teach someone, you have to be convinced of yourself that you know something".
Among the official guests at the opening ceremony was Simon Osei-Mensah, Minister for the Ashanti Region in the Government of Ghana, who is also a graduate of our university. He greeted the attendees and wished the students to take advantage of the knowledge and opportunities provided by the UNWE and to be proud to become part of its large academic family.
Simon Osei-Mensah expressed his great joy to be back at his university: "I am very happy and excited to walk through the corridors of this prestigious university again, which I feel like my second home. I will never forget the qualitative education and the professional opportunities I have received at this university."
"The UNWE is an exceptional educational institution. The best in Bulgaria. I would say it is one of the best in Europe because together with Mr. Rector and my colleagues we participate in the programme and activities of ENGAGE.EU - the largest business university at European level, in which the UNWE is one of the founders and active participants. I really see the big difference in the level of different universities in Europe and I know that the UNWE always is the best", emphasized Maxim Behar, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of UNWE, adding: "I graduated from ten universities and I know that what I have learned at the UNWE, what I have seen here, my meetings with lecturers, with colleagues with whom we continue to meet and keep in touch every year - these are the most valuable years I have had. My advice to you can be only one - work hard from your first year. The combination of practice and what you will learn at the University is the best you can get".
"The excitement and joy I feel at this moment is shared by everyone in this hall, for today we begin a new journey in the knowledge, professional development and personal growth", said the Chairperson of the Student Council Ilian Chabukliysky, noting: "The UNWE Student Council has always been committed to supporting students and creating opportunities for their personal and professional development. I would like to express thankfulness to the Rector for the good partnership, as a result of which a number of changes have been made at the University and in the student dormitories”.
"Be proud of your choice and know that you are part of the centuries-old history of UNWE. I believe that soon the Wall of Fame will not be enough to collect all the names of the graduates of the University who have taken leading positions in Bulgaria and around the world", said Angel Stoykov, Chairman of the National Representation of Student Councils in the Republic of Bulgaria.
During the ceremony Kristian Ivanov, graduate of speciality Business Informatics, Bachelor's degree, who was admitted to the Master's programme in the same speciality with the highest score, handed over the book History of UNWE to Milena-Nadin Eddy Feschian - the first-year student who was admitted to the speciality Finance and Accounting taught in English with the highest score of 24.00.
"The beginning of the academic year is an exciting day because it marks a time of new ambitions, expectations and motivation for all those who are part of the UNWE academic community", said Kristian Ivanov, emphasizing: "The UNWE is not just an educational institution, it is a symbiosis between the rich history and traditions and the development opportunities that meet the modern challenges and needs of the globalized world we live in. I am proud to be a graduate of UNWE. The education I have received, together with the knowledge I have acquired, provides me with a good foundation for my professional realization and personal development. Dear first-year students, you are the bearers of newness, positive energy and optimism. At the University you will receive the support you need to develop and fulfill your potential. Show character, set high standards for yourselves and be true to yourselves".
Milena-Nadin Eddy Feschian pointed out that the UNWE is the right place for the first year students to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills, but also to be inspired by the amazing lecturers who will teach them. "We have made great efforts to earn our rightful place in the student community of the University. The competition was fierce and among us are winners of international and national Olympiads and competitions that have been accepted to many other universities around the world. We chose UNWE! Because we believe we will build the university's Ivy League with the invaluable mentorship and expertise of the lecturers. With the help of the established network of partnerships with the business community, we have the opportunity for the best career realization. I accept the book History of UNWE with a deep bow and a willingness to build on it and pass it on to the next generation of first-year students."
At the end of the ceremony the Rector of UNWE Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov awarded the Commemorative coin 100 years of UNWE and diplomas to Gabriela Stoeva, student of speciality Media and Journalism, who together with her sister Stefany Stoeva have ranked fifth in the women's pairs race at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, and to the world record holder Georgy Peev, student of speciality Management and Administration, who, with two transplanted organs - a heart and a kidney - won four gold medals at the European Transplant Championships in the four swimming disciplines of 50 and 100 breaststroke and 50 and 100 freestyle.
"The UNWE is the university with the best social policy in Bulgaria which gives disadvantaged people a great opportunity to develop and find professional realization. This is my wish to all of you - keep building on all your life and be aware that the past is just a good memory, so run towards tomorrow", said Georgy Peev.
At the opening ceremony in Maxima Aula were representatives of the Academic Council, Prof. Dr. Matilda Alexandrova, Vice Rector for Educational Activities, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Maria Vodenicharova, Vice Rector for Research, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yanko Hristozov, Vice-Rector for International Affairs, Prof. Dr. Tsvetana Stoyanova, Vice-Rector for Institutional and Business Cooperation and Student Policies, Assistant Rector Prof. Dr. Kiril Stoychev, Prof. D.Sc. Pencho Penchev, Chairman of the UNWE General Assembly, Prof. Dr. Daniela Feschian, Chairman of the UNWE Control Council, Prof. Dr. Lalko Dulevsky, Ombudsman of UNWE, Deans, Heads of Departments, Secretaries General, lecturers, employees, representatives of the Board of Trustees of the UNWE, Directors of schools partners of UNWE. The ceremony was attended by the Governor of Vidin town Anny Harutyunyan, also a graduate and PhD from the UNWE, as well as the Chairman of the Municipal Council of Tsaribrod Municipality Zoran Dzhurov.
The Rector Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov, the Chairperson of the National Assembly Raya Nazaryan and the official guests laid flowers at the monument of the founder and first Rector of UNWE Prof. Stephan Bobchev.
Before the opening of the new academic year the Rector Prof. Dimitar Dimitrov met with the Chairperson of the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria Raya Nazaryan who wrote the UNWE Golden Book:
"To my alma mater with gratitude for the path we proudly follow and with the wish that the fountain of knowledge will not run dry and will ceaselessly inspire the worthy graduates.
The knowledge is a path that has a beginning and no end. Our pursuit of it is strength, and the strength is success."
The Rector of the UNWE awarded to Raya Nazaryan a prototype of the Golden Book of UNWE.
Raya Nazaryan awarded to the Rector an honorary plaque 145 Years of the National Assembly with the portrait of Antim the First, Chairman of the Constituent National Assembly.
The Interim Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lyudmila Petkova sent a Greeting Address apologizing for not being able to attend the ceremony in person and wishing all a successful academic year. As a graduate of UNWE she expressed her excitement with the opening of a consecutive academic year. "The knowledge is a high value and making education a national priority is a guarantee for a developed modern society. The quality of education and the management of the learning process at our university over the years have formed proven professionals who are worthy to manage and to be leaders", is said in the Greeting Address. "It's up to you how much knowledge you will leave here with, but I want you to remember that Bulgaria needs young and knowledgeable experts and leaders", is the wish by Mrs. Lyudmila Petkova to the first year students.
Greeting Addresses were also received by the National Statistical Institute, Paisii Hilendarsky University of Plovdiv, Bishop Konstantin Preslavsky University of Shumen, the Higher School of Telecommunications and Post, the National School of Finance and Economics, Vasil Levsky Profiled High School - Yambol, DSK Bank, the Municipality of Teteven, etc.
After the solemn opening of the academic year, meetings between the first-year students and the Deans of Faculties and Heads of Departments were held.
Solemn Opening of the New Academic Year 2024/2025
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