Previous version of our website: old.vfu.bg/en
THE FIRST STUDENT COUNCIL IN BULGARIA CELEBRATES 30 YEARS OF LEADERSHIP, CONTINUITY AND ACADEMIC COMMUNITY
27 February 2026
The first student council in Bulgaria celebrates 30 years since its establishment with a solemn ceremony in the Maxima Hall of Varna Free University "Chernorizets Hrabar". The event brought together eight chairpersons of the Student Council from 1996 to the present, the academic leadership, alumni, partners and representatives of the university community. The celebration turned into a moving story of continuity, character and civic engagement.
Established on 6 February 1996, the Student Council of VFU "Chernorizets Hrabar" laid the foundations of the model of student self-government in Bulgaria. For three decades, the organization has established itself as a factor in university life and in public processes related to student policies. Among the significant initiatives is the "Green University" campaign, which led to the creation of the University Park based on a student project, as well as the introduction of preferential prices for transport cards for thousands of students in Varna. Active participation in working groups on changes to the Student Loans Act and the implemented volunteer campaigns have shown that student energy can have a real social effect.
In his congratulatory address, the President of the University, Assoc. Prof. Krasimir Nedyalkov, PhD recalled the beginning of this story: “In 1996, here – at the university – the first student council in Bulgaria was born. With it, a new culture of leadership and responsibility began.” He emphasised that the successes of the student organization are successes of the university and that it is the activity of young people that builds a strong academic community. The Rector of Varna Free University, Prof. Petar Hristov, PhD also delivered a welcome address, expressing support for the student community and emphasising the importance of trust between the academic leadership and the students. The two emphasised continuity and responsibility as the basis for the sustainable development of the university.
The festive evening brought together former chairpersons of the Student Council, who received honorary awards for their contribution to the development of the organization. The path from the first initiatives to modern causes – international partnerships, digital literacy, national competitions and volunteer campaigns – was traced through multimedia archive footage. Artistic performances, the participation of university formations and the partners from the Secondary School of Humanities and Arts "Konstantin Preslavski" complemented the atmosphere and emphasised the spirit of the academic family. The evening passed under the motto "30 years of inspiration for the future", connecting tradition with new horizons for the student community.
Among the official guests were Prof. Todorka Kostadinova, PhD, Director of the Directorate "Accreditation, Quality and Project Activities" at Medical University - Varna, Maria Maleshkova - representative of DSK Bank, student councils from many universities in the country, alumni students, etc.
Congratulatory addresses were received from Prof. Miglena Temelkova, PhD, Chairwoman of the Council of Rectors and Rector of the Higher Education School of Telecommunications and Post, Prof. Dragomir Plamenov, PhD, Rector of Technical University - Varna, and Prof. Dr. Dimitar Raykov, Rector of Medical University - Varna. The recognition from the academic community and institutions emphasised the importance of the Student Council as an active partner in the educational and social environment.
Assoc. Prof. Nedyalkov extended an invitation to the alumni of the university to join the upcoming events on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of Varna Free University, which will be held on 23 and 24 May this year.
The anniversary of the Student Council has become a natural connection between three decades of student leadership and 35 years of the university's mission - a mission united around the message "Learn and seek".
