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THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA RUMEN RADEV VISITED VARNA FREE UNIVERSITY "CHERNORIZETS HRABAR"
13 October 2025
The President of the Republic of Bulgaria, Rumen Radev, and his wife, Desislava Radeva, visited Varna Free University “Chernorizets Hrabar” and met with the academic leadership and representatives of the student community. The visit was held in a spirit of academic dialogue on the future of higher education and the role of the university as a space of freedom, knowledge and social responsibility.
The official delegation, led by the President, included Ilin Dimitrov, PhD – Secretary for Tourism, Culture, Spirituality and Education, and Maria Yurukova – Advisor for Domestic Policy and Civil Society. The guests were welcomed by the President of the University, Assoc. Prof. Krasimir Nedyalkov, PhD and the Rector, Prof. Petar Hristov, PhD.
An Academic Board meeting was held in the meeting room of the main university building on the topic "Our Vision 2030: Rethinking Knowledge. Designing the Future". Assoc. Prof. Eleonora Tankova, PhD presented the activities and philosophy of Varna Free University, and Prof.Dimitar Kanev, D.Sc. outlined the main priorities in the 2030 Development Strategy. In his presentation, Prof. Kanev emphasised that the university's strategy is aimed at building a model for higher education that is free, responsible and valuable - in the service of knowledge and Bulgaria. The main vision of the university by 2030 is to be a leading university of applied sciences in the country, which builds flexible and responsible professionals. Among the key strategic priorities are: strengthening the applied profile of education through project-based and AI-supported learning; development of human capital and the academic ecosystem; creation of global partnerships with business; digital transformation and ethical use of technologies; effective, transparent and anti-fragile governance that turns change into a tool for growth. The strategy provides for mechanisms for monitoring, governance, accountability and risk management.
At the end of the meeting, President Rumen Radev signed the University's Book of Honour and accepted a gold plaque on behalf of the academic community.
After the Academic Board, the head of state met with the university's student community. In the hall of the Educational and Sports Complex, he spoke with representatives of various specialties, who asked questions related to the role of young people in society, the development of technologies, and equality between public and private universities.
President Radev shared his impressions of the university, emphasising that it has a strong Bulgarian spirit, traditional values and strong roots, and that students are the "conscience of the nation". Whatever education we develop, it must be based on the solid foundation of intrinsic Bulgarian values and traditions and foster social and public commitment, President Rumen Radev a said at a meeting with representatives of the student community of Varna Free University "Chernorizets Hrabar".
During the conversation, the president highlighted the role of students as the engine of social processes, bearers of ideals, values and progress, which set the most important thing - a perspective for the future. Therefore, in his words, politics must guarantee a sustainable and successful future for Bulgaria through support for young people.
Radev emphasised that if students strive only for personal well-being, they may achieve some level of implementation of their ambitions, but if they remain blind, mute and deaf to socio-political processes, this well-being will be fragile. He also pointed out that an educated people can hardly be manipulated and freedom is a supreme value for them.
The head of state also pointed out that the common thing in all successful countries is their investment in building and strengthening the value system, the mental and physical resilience of young people, so that they are prepared for the challenges of today's competitive world. Yes, technology, science and the economy are important, but the most important capital is young people, said Rumen Radev and added that those who invest resources in them in a timely and correct manner succeed.
Rumen Radev noted the overlapping global crises that affect our country as well, remain unsolved to a great extent. In his words, it is young people who will shape the Bulgarian response to all of them. Competition in the field of economy and industry is increasingly shifting to the field of artificial intelligence, the president pointed out in response to a student's question. In his words, from now on, the world will be divided into countries that develop and use these processes and technologies in the best way and will determine the degree of social progress, and countries that do not develop these technologies and will implement ready-made solutions.
Among the topics discussed during the meeting were the development of new digital technologies, the autonomy of universities, equality between public and private higher education institutions, as well as the insufficiently developed relationship between education, institutions and business.
As challenges facing young people in Bulgaria, Rumen Radev highlighted equal access to quality education, opportunities for professional realization and a healthy social environment. In his words, they determine the most important question facing young people – whether to stay in Bulgaria or to pursue career abroad. As another challenge, the president identified the clash of ideals, values and principles that young people receive within the framework of their education with the harsh reality in the country.
At Varna Free University, the head of state Rumen Radev highlighted the diversity of specialties that cover a wide range of professional fields and emphasised the high academic results and the authority of the higher education institution, as well as the efforts of the management to develop a quality and full-fledged educational process.
During their visit, the President and Mrs Radeva attended a rehearsal of the Choreography students, who impressed the guests with their talent and artistry. They also went over the university park – created by a project of students of Varna Free University, which combines natural aesthetics and an academic environment for recreation and creativity.
