VFU "CHERNORIZETS HRABER" WISHED A TAILWIND FOR THE CLASS OF 2022

11 November 2022

With musical performances, folk dances and a solemn welcome of the Varna Free University flag in front of the academic leadership, official guests, parents and graduates, the graduation ceremony of the spring session of the class of 2022 began. Nearly 400 students received their higher education diplomas today. In the academic year 2021/2022, a total of 468 bachelors and 449 masters graduated. Since its establishment in 1991 until today, VFU "Chernorizets Hrabar" has been the alma mater of over 44,000 students.

On behalf of the straight-A students, Stela Radkova a graduate of Business Administration and Management, who represented the university worthily in the national mediation competitions, delivered an address. Hristomir Hristov from the master's degree programme in Entrepreneurship is also among the top graduates. "Entrepreneurship has a future and is popular in our country, but not with the word we use. I have been involved in business for a long time and this is my calling. I wish all my colleagues to always try and never give up," said Hristov.

There are 12 top students of this year's graduating class, and all of them were awarded special certificates of achievement and awards by Assoc.Prof. Krasimir Nedyalkov, PhD, President of Varna Free University. In his speech, he wished the graduates: "Dear graduates, enter the future with the enthusiasm inherent in your youth, but also with the professionalism and innovation that have become the emblem of our university. Today, more than ever, society needs you, your sensitivity, from your bold ideas, from your relentless pursuit of answers Welcome to the world of the higher education practitioners! Chances are in front of you to choose the professional path to follow. Life has taught me that one always has the right to choose, but one does not always have the courage to make the right choice and bear the responsibility for it. Be brave! Fulfill your wishes and dreams, seek support and satisfaction from what you have achieved! Good luck in any of the vocations you will recognise as your own in order to be happy people!"
The title Doctor Honoris Causa of Varna Free University "Chernorizets Hrabar" was conferred on H.E. Temirtay Izbastin, PhD – Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Bulgaria. The diplomat thanked for the honour and emphasised the good cooperation between the university and the higher education institutions in his homeland. In recent years, more than 40 Kazakhs have studied at VFU "Chernorizets Hrabar" in the educational and scientific degree Doctor, and two defended the degree Doctor of Sciences. Two winners of the prestigious "Bolashak" state award currently work at the university.

The good cooperation was highlighted by the Rector Prof. Petar Hristov. "Ever since the establishment of the university, we have had students from Kazakhstan. This is useful for them and for us. We are proud that another graduating class entered life, and this is very important, because the times we live in require people with higher education. Science has no alternative in this complex life," said Prof. Hristov.

The event was attended by the Mayor of Varna Ivan Portnih, the Deputy Regional Governor Simeon Kostadinov, the Mayor of Devnya Svilen Shitov, Vanuhi Arakelyan, PhD - Chairperson of the Court of Appeal in Varna, Irena Radeva, PhD - Head of the Regional Department of Education, Kosta Bazitov - Deputy Mayor of the Municipality of Varna, Lilia Hristova - Director of the Education and Youth Activities Directorate, representatives of the regional administration, of higher education and scientific institutes, chairpersons and members of branch boards for the professional areas, representatives of business, members of the Board of Trustees of VFU "Chernorizets Hrabar".

Congratulatory addresses were received from:
Prof. Sasho Penov - Minister of Education and Science,
Sonia Georgieva - Mayor of Dobrich Municipality,
Marin Marinov - the chairperson of the District Court - Varna,
Elena Yanakieva - President of the Administrative Court - Varna,
Prof. Dr. Valentin Ignatov, MD - Rector of the Medical University "Prof. Dr. Paraskev Stoyanov" - Varna,
Prof. Evgeni Stanimirov, PhD - Rector of the University of Economics - Varna,
Elena Koseva and Ivelina Kancheva - Shaban - executive directors of "St. Constantine and St. Elena Holding" AD.
On 13 November (Sunday) at 11:00 a.m., the higher education diplomas will also be awarded to the graduates of the Class of 2022 at the branch of the university in Smolyan.