530 students who graduated in the autumn session of 2021 were awarded diplomas of higher education at solemn ceremonies in Varna and Smolyan. The students majored in 58 specialties at Varna Free University "Chernorizets Hrabar" - at the Faculty of Architecture, Faculty of Law, Faculty of International Economics and Administration and the Smolyan Branch. Class of 2021 is the 26th in the history of the university, and in the spring and autumn sessions a total of over 1,000 students graduated from VFU "Chernorizets Hrabar" and the Smolyan Branch of the University. 514 of them are bachelors and 490 have completed master's degree programmes.
Special guests at the celebration in Varna were the regional governor Blagomir Kotsev, the deputy mayor of Varna Kosta Bazitov, Father Teodor from the Bulgarian Orthodox Diocese of Varna and Velikiy Preslav, Daniel Parushev - chairman of the National Representation of Student Councils of Bulgaria, mayors, representatives of the state , municipal and district administrations, universities and research institutes, directors of secondary schools and vocational high schools, chairmen and members of branch boards of professional fields, business representatives and many parents.
In his welcoming speech to the graduates, the President of VFU "Chernorizets Hrabar" Assoc. Prof. Dr. Krassimir Nedyalkov expressed his admiration for students and teachers who have overcome the difficulties of time and open new opportunities for meetings with knowledge and professional qualifications. "Keep asking questions and being critical of the world around you. More than ever today, we rely on your relentlessness in seeking answers. I hope we have given you the skills and strength to find the answers within yourself," he said and advised  the young people to respect peace, to strive to act honestly and fairly, to have self-confidence and courage in their choices, to take responsibility, not to put up with vulgarity and stupidity.
"I am sure that Varna Free University has given you an extremely good education, it is no coincidence that it received an award from the European Commission for high quality education," said the Regional Governor Blagomir Kotsev. The Deputy Mayor Kosta Bazitov recalled the ancient idea that you go a long way starting with small steps. "University training will help you to take steps professionally, with content and let peace accompany your every action," he said to the graduates.
 
The chairman of the National Representation of the Student Councils in Bulgaria, Daniel Parushev, reminded that VFU "Chernorizets Hrabar" coped brilliantly with the pandemic. "Many universities had difficulties how to teach their students at the beginning, and Varna Free University responded wonderfully and in less than 72 hours switched to online learning. Thanks to the professionalism of the university management, students and faculty, today's graduation is a fact ", reminded the chairman of NRSC. He commented that the university employs some of the best teachers in Europe, and students are ready to succeed on the labour market.
 
Prof. Dr. Petar Hristov presented the diplomas for higher education, diploma for excellent achievements and honorary plaque of the University to the students who have excellent results in the professional fields:
Ivana Ivanova, PF "Administration and Management", who graduated with full honors in "Infrastructure of the Administration",
Katie Mateva, PF "Informatics and Computer Science", specialty "Cybersecurity",
Victoria Gencheva, PF "Economics", specialty "Financial and Banking Management and Marketing",
Hristiana Hristova, PF "Political Science", specialty "International Relations",
Tsvetan Merkov, PF "Architecture, Construction and Geodesy", specialty "Fire safety and Protection of the Population",
Mihail Nyagolov, PF "Architecture, Construction and Geodesy", specialty "Architecture",
Veselin Nikolov, PF "Music and Dance Art", specialty "Choreography",
Milena Karalasheva, PF "Fine Arts", specialty "Fashion Design",
Vasil Dimitrov, PF "National Security", specialty "Protection of National Security",
Simona Petrova, PF "Psychology", specialty "Psychology".
Presiyana Popnikolova, PF "Law", specialty "Law". She expressed her gratitude on behalf of the graduates to the professors and the management of the university. "I am sure that Varna Free University has given you an extremely good education, it is no coincidence that it received an award from the European Commission for high quality education," said the Regional Governor Blagomir Kotsev. The Deputy Mayor Kosta Bazitov recalled the ancient idea that you go a long way starting with small steps. "University training will help you to take steps professionally, with content and let peace accompany your every action," he said to the graduates.
The chairman of the National Representation of the Student Councils in Bulgaria, Daniel Parushev, reminded that VFU "Chernorizets Hrabar" coped brilliantly with the pandemic. "Many universities had difficulties how to teach their students at the beginning, and Varna Free University responded wonderfully and in less than 72 hours switched to online learning. Thanks to the professionalism of the university management, students and faculty, today's graduation is a fact ", reminded the chairman of NRSC. He commented that the university employs some of the best teachers in Europe, and students are ready to succeed on the labour market.
Prof. Dr. Petar Hristov presented the diplomas for higher education, diploma for excellent achievements and honorary plaque of the University to the students who have excellent results in the professional fields:
Ivana Ivanova, PF "Administration and Management", who graduated with full honors in "Infrastructure of the Administration",
Katie Mateva, PF "Informatics and Computer Science", specialty "Cybersecurity",
Victoria Gencheva, PF "Economics", specialty "Financial and Banking Management and Marketing",
Hristiana Hristova, PF "Political Science", specialty "International Relations",
Tsvetan Merkov, PF "Architecture, Construction and Geodesy", specialty "Fire safety and Protection of the Population",
Mihail Nyagolov, PF "Architecture, Construction and Geodesy", specialty "Architecture",
Veselin Nikolov, PF "Music and Dance Art", specialty "Choreography",
Milena Karalasheva, PF "Fine Arts", specialty "Fashion Design",
Vasil Dimitrov, PF "National Security", specialty "Protection of National Security",
Simona Petrova, PF "Psychology", specialty "Psychology".
Presiyana Popnikolova, PF "Law", specialty "Law". She expressed her gratitude on behalf of the graduates to the professors and the management of the university.
Congratulatory addresses were received from the Presidency of the Republic of Bulgaria, from the Academician Luchezar Traikov - Rector of MU - Sofia and Chairman of the Board of Rectors, from Dr. Vanuhi Arakelyan - Chairperson of the Court of Appeal, from Prof. Dr. Valentin Ignatov - Rector of MU - Varna.
The celebration began with the annual fashion show of the specialty "Fashion Design".
With an exciting story Prof. D.Sc. Anna Nedyalkova recalled the beginning - the establishment of the university and the work of the Student Council. "The organized student activity at our university significantly precedes the date of the establishment of the Council. Moreover, this activity accompanies the idea and the setting up of one of the first private universities in Bulgaria from the moment the idea originated until today, " said Prof. Nedyalkova. She added that the student community can and should be an active subject of the institutional building of the higher education system. Today, students' problems are not easier, but they have the opportunity  their voice to be heard more clearly when defending their opinions. The Chairperson of the Board of Trustees noted that the active student participation in the university has created an academic community based on unity, partnership and is a mutual corrective. It was they who allowed us to raise the academic spirit to the core value of education, she added.
VFU "Chernorizets Hrabar" is an undisputed leader, not only in the system of private universities, but also in the region of Varna, said Assoc. Prof. Lilyana Valcheva. In her speech, she noted that private universities should not be separated. The Chairman of the NRSC, Dr. Daniel Parushev, congratulated the Student Council on its quarter-century anniversary and presented the badge of honor to the National Representation of Student Councils. He congratulated the students for their active work and defending their positions. "Self-sacrifice and perseverance make the Student Council of VFU "Chernorizets Hrabar" a significant factor not only in the region but also on a national level. The voice of your university is heard," he said, addressing the issue of scholarships for students from private universities. Students in Bulgaria should not be divided into private and public, Parushev commented.
The first presidents Malen Manev and Yordan Yordanov shared their exciting memories of the years at the university.
By order of the President of VFU "Chernorizets Hrabar" Assoc. Prof. Krassimir Nedyalkov, all presidents from 1996 to the present day were awarded a silver plaque and a diploma.
Over the weekend, VFU "Chernorizets Hrabar" hosted the General Assembly of the National Representation of Student Councils.
 See more photos on the facebook page of the university:
https://www.facebook.com/VarnaFreeUniversity