Varna Free University's Class of 2024 Graduated with a Mission to Preserve Values and Take Responsibility for the Future

13 June 2025

'You are the ones who proved that knowledge does not only require buildings, but also big hearts and strong minds.' With these words, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Krasimir Nedyalkov – President of Varna Free University “Chernorizets Hrabar” – addressed the graduates at the solemn graduation ceremony of the Class of 2024, which took place today at Varna Free University. The event marked one of the most festive moments in the academic calendar – the graduation of nearly 1,000 students from the three faculties and the Smolyan branch of the university. More than 400 of them were awarded their diplomas during the event.

The Class of 2024 is a symbol of resilience, adaptation and academic maturity – a generation that began its studies in the conditions of a pandemic and completed it with inspiration and determination.

'Today, when you set off on your own path, you have knowledge, and with it an accurate value compass. It will guide you, help you succeed and change. This inner guide is necessary in the world of paradoxes in which we live - a world in which we have access to inexhaustible knowledge but four out of ten Bulgarians say they do not read; we build libraries but we rarely enter them; we recognize the need for sustainability but we consume without measure. The issues about peace and war, the introduction of the euro, social divisions, changing labour markets - all this requires serious competence and the right direction. The real battles today are not about currency but about values. Because the lasting foundations in life are built with honesty, respect and responsibility,' Assoc. Prof. Nedyalkov emphasized in his speech, appealing to young people to be conscious in their choices.

Kristina Koeva, a top graduate from Graphic Design, who spoke on behalf of the graduating class, expressed her gratitude to her lecturers, families, and colleagues. In her moving speech, she recalled the beginning of her educational journey, when lectures were held “in the cloud”: “We started university in pajamas and now we are graduating in a toga.” She encouraged her colleagues not to be afraid of uncertainty, but to turn it into a starting point for meaningful choices and personal development.

A special greeting to the graduates was also extended by Flotilla Admiral Prof. Dr. Kalin Kalinov, Head of the Nikola Yonkov Vaptsarov Naval Academy. He recalled that students from the Architecture and Interior Design majors at Varna Free University became winners in the competition for the interior spaces of the Naval Academy. Flotilla Admiral Kalinov wished the graduates to be optimistic – to believe in the impossible.

The Class of 2024 also announced the class toppers, who were awarded by the Rector, Prof. Dr. Petar Hristov, and the university's partner, DSK Bank. Among them were Alexandra Atanasova (Administration and Management, Economics), Andrey Hristov (Informatics and Computer Science), Iva Yancheva (Psychology), Mila Petrova (Law), Tatyana Nikolova (National Security), Iren Karadjova-Shopova and Kristina Koeva (Architecture, Construction and Geodesy), Teodor Dimov (Music and Dance).

Official guests of the ceremony were Airie Ibryamova - Deputy Regional Governor of the district with the administrative center in Varna, Elena Yanakieva - Chairperson of the Administrative Court in Varna, Stoyan Popov - Head of the Criminal Department of the District Court - Varna, Victoria Petkova - Chief Expert in the Directorate 'Education and Youth Activities' at Varna Municipality, Dr. Martin Valchev - Director of Geo Milev Secondary School in Varna, Eng. Lyudmila Nacheva - Director of the Vocational High School in Textiles and Fashion Design, Sonya Vlaykova - Area Manager at DSK Bank, as well as representatives of higher education institutions and scientific institutes, lecturers from partner universities in Germany, Greece and Turkey, chairpersons and members of branch boards of trustees of professional fields and representatives of the business

On the occasion of the solemn promotion of the class of 2024, congratulatory addresses and greetings were received from:
Prof. Dr. Eliza Stefanova - Chairperson of the National Agency for Assessment and Accreditation
Prof. Dr. Miglena Temelkova - Chairperson of the Council of Rectors
Prof. Dr. Andriyana Andreeva - Regional Governor of the District with the administrative center Varna
Vladislav Bakalov - Chairperson of the Standing Committee ‘Science and Education’ at the Municipal Council - Varna
Rumen Radev - Chairperson of the Association of Industrial Capital
Flotilla Admiral Professor Doctor Kalin Kalinov - Head of Nikola Yonkov Vaptsarov Naval Academy
Prof. Dr. Dragomir Plamenov - Rector of the Technical University - Varna
Marin Marinov - Chairperson of the Varna Court of Appeal
Elena Yanakieva - Chairperson of the Administrative Court - Varna
Tsveta Pavlova - Chairperson of the District Court – Varna

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