THE 2023/2024 ACADEMIC YEAR WAS OPENED AT VARNA FREE UNIVERSITY

02 October 2023

The new academic year 2023 - 2024 was opened today by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Krasimir Nedyalkov - president of Varna Free University. The student anthem was also played in the heart of the Rhodopes - at the University Branch in Smolyan, where an official ceremony was also held.

The celebration began with a folklore performance by the Academic Dance Theater of the University in the crowded Aula Maxima of the University of Varna, followed by welcoming the flag of the university, a student anthem and a prayer for the health, success and prosperity of the academic family. Special guests at the event were Todor Balabanov - chairman of the Municipal Council of Varna, Antoaneta Petrova - deputy regional governor of the district with administrative center Varna, Kosta Bazitov - deputy mayor of the Municipality of Varna, Prof. Dr. Antoaneta Tsvetkova - chairperson of the Permanent Commission Science and Education, Maria Todorova - Chairperson of the Standing Committee Culture and Spiritual Development at the Municipal Council - Varna, Dr. Vanukhi Arakelyan - Chairperson of the Varna Court of Appeal, Elena Yanakieva - Chairperson of the Administrative Court in Varna, Father Stefan Nikolov and Father Lyubomir Georgiev - representatives of the Varna and Veliky Preslav Metropolies, representatives of diplomatic missions, representatives of higher schools and scientific institutes, principals and representatives of secondary schools and vocational high schools, chairpeople and members of branch boards of professional branches, representatives of business.
"Thanks to our joint efforts, today the university is a different, dynamically developing, academically connected in national
and international scientific networks and, last but not least, an attractive educational center for students from a number of countries around the world.
Entering its age of Christ, Varna Free University firmly and consistently follows the high-tech line of development of a university and established itself on the map of higher education in our country and in Europe with its profile as an innovator," said the president, Prof. Dr. Krasimir Nedyalkov, in his welcome speech. He wished the first-year students to achieve heights that would make the teachers proud and happy, and the economy and society prosperous and flourishing. Bulgaria needs hardworking and successful people who do not have time to hate and envy others because they are busy building the future together", added he.

The Rector - Prof. Dr. Petar Hristov emphasized that in the complex and dynamic situation in the world, the role of the universities to convey the "miracle of science" is clearly distinguished, so that it is understood and accepted by as many people as possible. "In our society, proactive people will have a decisive role. Such is our "Free University", which is the equivalent to a proactive university - students can set their own goals, supported by teachers to discover the paths that will lead them to them.”, said Prof. Hristov.
The Deputy Mayor of the Municipality of Varna, Kosta Bazitov, also delivered a welcome speech. Magdalena Hristova - a graduate of the National School of Arts "Dobri Hristov" - Varna, who will study in Architecture, shared her expectations on behalf of the students accepted with the highest success. She noted that she chose VFU "Chernorizets Hrabar" because Varna is her favorite city and because this university offers a unique programme for student development. Angelo Dipalma, from Universita' degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy, who chose to study under the Erasmus+ programme in International Business in English at Varna Free University, also congratulated the students and lecturers.

Student mark books and diplomas of the students accepted with the highest success were presented.

The first classes for the new academic year 2023/2024 in the Branch - Smolyan at VFU "Chernorizets Hrabar" began with the course in Global Problems and Solutions. Prof. Dr. Ivan Sokolov wished the students to master knowledge with will and enthusiasm, and through creativity, desire for change and real actions to help build a safer and better world.

Congratulation letters were received from:
Prof. Dr. Andriyana Andreeva - District Governor of the district with administrative center Varna
Daniel Parushev - Chairperson of the National Representation of Student Councils
Petya Prodanova - Mayor of Primorski region, Municipality of Varna
Ivaylo Marinov - Mayor of Asparuhovo region, Municipality of Varna
Hristo Hristov - Mayor of Mladost region, Municipality of Varna
Elena Yanakieva - Chairperson of the Administrative Court - Varna
Marin Marinov - Chairperson of Varna District Court
Antonio Tarquinio - Honorary Consul of Italy in Varna
Dr. Irena Radeva - head of the Regional Department of Education in Varna
Lilia Hristova - Director of the Directorate Education and Youth Activities
Fleet Admiral Prof. D. Sc. Boyan Mednikarov - Head of Nikola Yonkov Vaptsarov Naval Academy, Varna
Prof. Dr. Svetoslav Georgiev - Rector of Medical University "Prof. Dr. Paraskev Stoyanov"
Prof. Dr. Dragomir Plamenov - Rector of the Technical University - Varna
Prof. Dr. Evgeni Stanimirov - Rector of the University of Economics - Varna
Prof. Dr. Dobri Yarkov - Rector of Thrace University, Stara Zagora
Gabriela Georgieva - director of the National Vocational School of Veterinary Medicine "Prof. Dimitar Dimov", Lovech
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Eng. Lachezar Hrischev - Chairperson of the Management Board of the Scientific and Technical Unions
Vlastiana Nikolova - Director of the Territorial Directorate of the National Revenue Agency - Varna
Elena Koseva and Ivelina Shaban - executive directors of "St. St. Constantine and Elena Holding" AD
The Union of Architects in Bulgaria - Varna region

(The material is being updated)
(You can see more photos at: https://www.facebook.com/VarnaFreeUniversity/)