The UNWE General Assembly Adopted and Highly Appreciated the Rector`s Annual Report

The General Assembly of the University of National and World Economy unanimously adopted and highly appreciated the Rector's Annual Report on the state and results of the UNWE activities for the period December 2024 - December 2025. The highest forum also approved the report on the activities of the Control Council for the same period. A partial election was held to fill the composition of the Academic Council, as well as a partial election to fill the members of the Control Council.

The opening of the UNWE General Assembly was attended by the Rector of UNWE Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov, Prof. D.Sc. Pencho Penchev, Chairman of the General Assembly, Prof. Daniela Feschiyan, Chairwoman of the Control Council, and Kaloyan Stefanov, Chairman of the Student Council.

Prof. D.Sc. Pencho Penchev, Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov, Prof. Dr. Daniela Feschiyan, Kaloyan Stefanov

Before the presentation of the Annual Report by Rector Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov, a virtual avatar of him greeted the delegates and demonstrated the capabilities of the artificial intelligence.

"Today, I stand before the General Assembly not only as rector, but also as someone who deeply believes in the future of UNWE. I believe that every development begins with a dream. My dream is for the UNWE to be a university that sets trends – a pioneer in the use of artificial intelligence, strongly integrated into the global academic map, an innovative research university with a real connection to practice and business, and above all, a university that puts the student at the center of the educational process, and all policies, programmes, and decisions are made with its overall development in mind", said Prof. Dimitar Dimitrov, adding that he dreams of a digital, sustainable and green university that uses technology wisely, conserves resources, respects the environment and sets an example for responsible development. "It is the only way we will remain No. 1 not only today, but also in 10 and 100 years."

During the presentation of the Annual Report Prof. Dimitrov emphasized that the University expands its authority and strengthens its position as a leader in the economic education and a reliable partner in the European educational and scientific space. He reviewed the prospective student campaign and analyzed the reasons for the impressive growth in newly admitted students — 5 382, half of them studying in paid form of education as well as the increased share of distance learning students — 40%. A particularly valuable indicator is the assessment of the students themselves – 91% of them said they would choose the UNWE again. The Rector also emphasized the intensified scientific activity and development of the academic capacity over the past year, as well as the opening of two new institutes – the Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Economics and the Institute for Enhancing Research Capacity in the Nuclear Industry and Security.

The international cooperation and global visibility remain a top priority for the UNWE, which ranks at the 80^th position in the QS Eastern Europe 2025, climbing up from the 101^st position in 2024, as the only economic university in the ranking, according to Prof. Dimitrov's report. The UNWE is not only an active participant in the global project of the European economic universities ENGAGE.EU, but in the next year our university will take over the presidency of the university alliance.

The increased international activity has led to the attraction of funds exceeding 11 000 000 for the period December 2024 – December 2025. These funds are for projects won and financed by the EU funds and operational programmes, the Scientific Research Fund, the Ministry of Education and Science, and other institutions.

In the field of institutional and business cooperation and student policies, active relations with the employer organizations and state and municipal institutions continue to develop and the evidence for that are the number of memoranda signed in recent years – more than 280 ones.

The University continues to invest in modernization — expanded facilities, a renovated sports complex, an electronic library, free internet and digitized administrative and academic processes. The latest innovation presented by the Rector is the automatic identification of students in Test Centers, which will limit the attempts at cheating during the exams.

Prof. Dr. Daniela Feschiyan, Chairwoman of the Control Council, reported on the work of the Control Council as a guarantor of the legality of the acts of the University's governing bodies, the actions of its academic staff, undergraduates and Doctoral students, and it was emphasized that the Control Council in its work was guided by its experience and good practices in control activities as well as by the principles of legality, objectivity, fairness, and publicity. The Chairwoman of the Control Council summarized the results of the activities. In the first area, which includes the implementation of control duties under the Higher Education Act, the Academic Staff Development Act of the Republic of Bulgaria, the UNWE Rules of Procedures, and the Control Council Rules of Procedure, more than 50 inspections with prepared statements were reported. Prof. Daniela Feschiyan pointed out that during the inspections, the Control Council had strictly followed the prescribed procedure, but had also faced many new challenges in its activities. In the second area, related to the organization of control activities, the following were reported: the updated methodological materials developed and made available for use to support the work of organizing and conducting meetings of the collective management bodies at UNWE, the elaborated document templates related to the control activities when checking the constituent and the work of the Faculty General Assemblies. The document templates are published on the Control Council webpage, and it was pointed out that other universities also use the UNWE Control Council webpage.

“During the reporting period, the Control Council focused its attention on supporting the work of the authorities and persons in their activities subject to control, guided by the understanding that preliminary discussion of the problem and assistance in resolving it is more effective than subsequent corrective or punitive measures. The Control Council considers that the work done and the authority and trust achieved on a national scale are the result of continuity and building on the established good practices in the control activities at UNWE. They have always been our foundation for development and improvement", outlined in conclusion Prof. Daniela Feschiyan and expressed thankfulness to the honorary Chairwoman of the UNWE Control Council Prof. Dr. Violeta Tsakova for her contribution to setting the foundations for exceptional practices”.

After the presentation of the two key reports Kaloyan Stefanov, Chairman of the UNWE Student Council, expressed his gratitude to the University Management for the effective cooperation over the past year for the benefit of the student community. He also outlined the active work with the National Representation of the Student Councils, which led to the provision of additional funds for the renovation of student dormitories. Among the main points in his speech were the high quality of education at the University, the relation between the theory and the practice as well as the successful completion of the accommodation process despite the renovations in two of the 12 dormitory blocks. It was also concerned the topic of student fees and the necessity of timely communication was highlited. "The Student Council will continue to be a constructive partner and defend the interests of students and to work for the development and good image of UNWE", concluded Kaloyan Stefanov.

At the closing of the General Assembly, its Chairman Prof. D.Sc. Pencho Penchev wished the academic community a Merry Christmas, good health, and good luck. He expressed his gratitude to all those involved in the preparation and implementation of the General Assembly and described the academic community as mature and stable, developing in a purposeful and responsible manner. "Although not all processes are entirely in our hands, where we have the opportunity to take action, the results are visible and positive", said Prof. D.Sc. Pencho Penchev.

As is the tradition the Forum began with the three anthems – the National anthem, the European anthem and the Student anthem.

Prof. Dr. Lalko Dulevsky, Ombudsman of UNWE, Prof. Dr. Rumen Brusarsky, Dean of the Finance and Accounting Faculty, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yanko Hristozov, Vice-Rector for International Affairs, Prof. Dr. Tsvetana Stoyanova, Vice-Rector for Institutional and Business Cooperation and Student Policies, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Maria Vodenicharova, Vice-Rector for Research, Prof. Dr. Matilda Alexandrova, Vice-Rector for Educational Activities

The Mandate Commission, chaired by Prof. Dr. Snezhana Basheva, confirmed the legitimacy of the quorum.

The General Assembly elected Prof. Dr. Hristo Katrandzhiev as Chairman of the Proposals Commission.

The Election Commission was headed by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Simeon Asenov.