UNWE Opened the New Academic Year 2026/2027
At a solemn ceremony, in the presence of the Governor of the Bulgarian National Bank - Dimitar Radev - and many official guests, the Rector of UNWE Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov opened the new academic year 2026/2027.
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The Rector Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov, Dr. Maxim Behar, Chairman of the UNWE Board of Trustees, Dimitar Radev, Governor of the Bulgarian National Bank, and Kaloyan Stefanov, Chairman of the UNWE Student Council /from the left to the right/ |
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In his welcoming speech the Rector Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov noted that the beginning of each new academic year brings with it a great deal of excitement and anticipation for new opportunities, knowledge and achievements, while for the UNWE it is another step forward in its development as a university with established traditions, high academic standards and a clear vision for the future: “For us, the University is not simply a place for obtaining a degree, but an environment for knowledge, development, ideas and professional fulfilment. That is why we consistently invest in a modern and comfortable working environment. Our students have access to new and modernized learning spaces, a renovated library, shared spaces for work and communication, digital classrooms, virtual reality laboratories and computerized teaching rooms.
The AI already changes the economy, business and the labour market. At the UNWE, we see this change as an opportunity to prepare students for the professions of the future and to develop scientific research that responds to the real demands of the economy and society. We also develop specialities and programmes in which students acquire knowledge and practical skills for the application of modern technologies in the business, finance, marketing, logistics, accounting and big data analysis.
Our message to young people is clear: “Do not be afraid of technology. Learn to use it. Because the future will belong to those who know how to use the new technologies wisely, critically and responsibly”.
Prof. Dimitrov wished the first-year students to make full use of their time at the University not only to acquire new knowledge, but also to develop new skills that will help them achieve their goals: “The UNWE is your university and your home for the coming years. Believe in your own abilities, seek opportunities and do not be afraid to dream. And we, your lecturers and the entire academic community of UNWE, will be by your side along this journey”.
The Rector also extended special greetings in Chinese to all UNWE students in China on the occasion of the opening of the new academic year, as they had already begun their classes on 1 September. He noted that the University currently has more than 700 students in China enrolled in three Bachelor’s programmes - Economics, Finance and Accounting, and Trade and Sales and nearly 20 lecturers currently work at Tianjin Foreign Studies University and Hebei University of Economics and Business.
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Greetings to the first-year students, undergraduates and the entire academic community were extended by the Governor of the Bulgarian National Bank Dimitar Radev who in addition to being a graduate of the University, is also the holder of the honorary title of Doctor Honoris Causa of UNWE.
“They say every day is a good time for a new beginning and today gives me yet another reason to believe this. It is one of the good things that the student years provide - the opportunity to start something new without being completely sure what awaits you. It is also one of the important lessons that the University can teach us, because we rarely get the chance to begin fully prepared. We live in a time of rapid change - economic conditions change, geopolitical events have consequences far beyond the place they arise and the technologies transform the way we work and communicate. Europe, too, must answer important questions - how to remain competitive, how to adapt more quickly. In such an environment the knowledge is not simply an advantage. It is precisely why the University has such an important role. It’s not merely a place for finding answers, it must teach us to ask the right questions, to think critically and to make decisions with incomplete information.”
Dimitar Radev advised the students not to perceive the university education merely as a certain quantity of knowledge, but as a foundation of lifelong learning: “Among your most valuable skills will be your ability to analyze, to adapt, to understand technologies without losing your critical judgement and above all, to be able to make good decisions. Strive for intellectual independence. Always ask what the facts show. Be prepared to change your opinion when the facts change, but also to defend your position when they support it.”
He also emphasized the particular responsibility of UNWE as a university that has been preparing professionals for the economy and society for more than a century: “This tradition is valuable, but even more important is the University’s ability to develop alongside a changing world. My message to you is to be curious, demanding of yourselves and of the ideas of your time”.
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On behalf of the UNWE Board of Trustees, a welcome speech to the first-year students was delivered by its Chairman Dr. Maxim Behar: “Welcome to one of the most prestigious business universities in Europe. I say this because I have been to so many other universities. You enter not only this university, you enter the real business world. And it is the UNWE’s most important advantage. I do not know of another university in Bulgaria where the first-year students enter the real business world from their very first day and not only during internships and practical training, but also during the lectures, literally every day. Absorb every word you hear, but don’t stop looking for additional information in social media, online and in books to complete what you hear and learn during your lectures, because these things are interconnected”. He encouraged the students to keep trying, to take risks and to lose: “It’s not a great tragedy even if you fail. You have to fall and get back up. My advice is not to learn from your mistakes, but from your success! Keep dreaming, dream of overcoming challenges, achieving success, living better, but do not forget, if your dreams don’t scare you, they are not big enough!”.
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“Every new academic year is a new page, but at the UNWE this page is written on more than a century of history, on traditions, knowledge and generations that have left their mark not only on our university, but also on the economic, social and political life of the country”, said Kaloyan Stefanov, Chairman of the UNWE Student Council, and appealed to the first-year students to take an active part in the university’s academic life. “Today you open the first page of your own history at the UNWE, and all of us together continue to write the history of our university, because the UNWE is not only what we have inherited, but also what we will leave behind.”
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On the occasion of the beginning of new academic year 2026/2027, a Greeting Address was received from the Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria Rumen Radev: “The University of National and World Economics has an established place in higher education in Bulgaria and through its scientific and educational activities contributes to the preparation of specialists capable of establishing themselves in the dynamic modern world. I wish the lecturers inspiration and professional energy in their work with the young generation and the students - curiosity, perseverance and confidence on the path towards their professional advancement".
Part of the solemn ceremony was also the symbolic handing over of the History of UNWE from a graduating student to a first-year student. Suzanna Mladenova, Bachelor of speciality Economics of Defence and Security, who continue her studies in the Master’s Programme in International Project Management and was admitted with the highest admission score, handed the History of UNWE to Siyan Doychev - a first-year student admitted with the maximum score, who has grade Excellent 6.00 on the state matriculation examination in Mathematics and graduated with full honours from Vasil Drumev High School of Mathematics and Natural Science in Veliko Tarnovo.
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| The Rector Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov with Suzanna Mladenova and Siyan Doychev |
“It is an honour for me to pass the History of UNWE on to one of the first-year students, because this book is not simply a collection of dates, names and events. It’s a story about the people who, before us, crossed the threshold of this university with their hopes, ambitions and dreams. And somewhere between these pages are the traces of all those who have left a part of themselves in the history of the University”, said Suzanna Mladenova, wishing the new students courage to follow their dreams, perseverance to achieve them and determination to never stop developing.
Siyan Doychev expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to receive the History of UNWE: “Over the years, mathematics has always been an important part of my journey. It teaches us to think, to make decisions and not to give up when something seems complicated. We don’t always have the ready-made formula, but we can analyze the situation, try, make mistakes and eventually find the solution. I believe that the UNWE is a place where, in addition to knowledge, we will have the opportunity to develop, meet new people and turn our ideas into something real. I wish all of us to be ambitious and make the most of the opportunities”.
The official opening ceremony in the Maxima Aula was attended by Prof. D.Sc. Pencho Penchev, Chairman of the UNWE General Assembly, Prof. Dr. Daniela Feschiyan, Chairwoman of the UNWE Control Council, Prof. Dr. Lalko Dulavsky, UNWE Ombudsman, the entire Rector`s leadership, represented by Prof. Dr. Matilda Alexandrova, Vice Rector for Academic Affairs, 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 CBusiness Cooperation and Student Policies, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Noncho Dimitrov, Vice Rector for Digitalization and Cybersecurity, Eng. Yulian Prilepsky, Assistant Rector, and representatives of the Academic Council.
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Among the official guests were H. E. Mr. Alejandro Zotner Mayer, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Argentina to the Republic of Bulgaria, Dr. Daniel Parushev, Member of Parliament in the 52nd National Assembly, Mrs. Zornitsa Rusinova, Chairwoman of the Economic and Social Council, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Atanas Atanasov, President of the National Statistical Institute, Mr. Nikolay Mishovsky, Secretary General of the National Revenue Agency, Prof. Dr. Milen Baltov, Rector of Burgas Free University, Mr. Miroslav Tonchev, Chairman of the Management Board of the Sofia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Prof. D.Sc. Sonya Mileva, Vice Rector of St. Climent Ohridsky University of Sofia, the Deputy Mayor of Student District Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dragomir Stefanov, Prof. D.Sc. Stoyan Denchev, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the University of Library Studies and Information Technologies /ULSIT/, representatives of the state administration and business and partners.
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The Rector Prof. Dimitar Dimitrov and the official guests laid flowers in front of the monument to the founder and first Rector of UNWE Prof. Stefan Bobchev.
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PHOTO GALLERY
You can watch the official opening of the new academic year 2026/2027 HERE.
