WELCOME SPEECH OF ASSOC. PROF. DR. KRASIMIR NEDYALKOV - PRESIDENT OF VFU "CHERNORIZETS HRABER" AT THE OPENING OF 2023/2024 ACADEMIC YEAR
02 October 2023
Dear members of the Academic Management,Dear lecturers and guests,
Dear students,
Today is the first day of the 2023/24 academic year. Thank you for this honor and the opportunity to once again welcome everyone present as members of our distinguished academic family. I am saying this with the deep conviction that today is a special day because VFU "Chernorizets Hrabar", as one of the first private higher education institutions in our country, opens its doors for the 32nd time to welcome its students, lecturers, partners and spiritual companions. Thanks to our joint efforts, today the university is a different, dynamically developing, academically connected in national and international scientific networks and, last but not least, an attractive educational center for students from a number of countries around the world.
Entering its age of Christ, Varna Free University firmly and consistently follows the high-tech line of development of a university and established itself on the map of higher education in our country and in Europe with its profile as an innovator.
Today we are a modern educational and research center with priorities in the development of the most important industries and sectors of today's and tomorrow's Bulgaria. Proof of this is the fact that even in this year, full of many crises, difficulties and challenges, VFU "Chernorizets Hrabar” can boast of a successfully conducted application campaign and newly admitted students with high marks from secondary education and a large number of students admitted according to their first and only desire. This success is due to the fact that the University has high requirements, builds on what has been achieved and the transformation process is continuous. We work in partnership with elite university networks and through them provide the opportunity for mobilities and additional qualification. The university has very good connections with the business and good traditions in organizing joint business academies with leading companies, offering excellent opportunities for internships, holding many career-oriented events and this leads to high realization of its graduates right from their student years.
I would also like to pay special attention to the efforts made by the academic management to make VFU " Chernorizets Hrabar" a green university, thanks to the completed photovoltaic park project, one of the largest in the field of education. I will also proudly highlight all measures to improve the learning and administrative process, especially for students and lecturers.
I will not venture into listing the many successful ventures of the University. They are famous, they bring us satisfaction and pride. Of course, we are most pleased that they are oriented towards the young people of Bulgaria and we are flattered by the thought that we are contributing to the development of their personality, abilities and knowledge.
Along with this, we realize that we live in unique times, in which the unlimited possibilities of digitalization, artificial intelligence and telecommunications enter and transform every sphere of life, but especially education.
You, the young people, are part of the society of the connected person of the 21st century, which sets new directions for the development of the world. You are an indispensable part and the most important human resource of Industry 5.0, which is based on innovation, new technological tools and platforms. You are the carriers of the new, of positive energy, of optimism, you are flexible and adaptable. Today, together with you, we all look to the light of knowledge and science to ensure a better society and future for our parents and children. Dreams do work, but only if we work for them.
Dear first-year students,
You start your studies at a university, and probably also in fields occupying prestigious places in the National Rating System. We owe these high positions not only to the quality of education and scientific research, but also to the good realization of our university graduates. So put in the effort, learn and develop your abilities and you will be rewarded for your efforts.
When choosing a major and then a profession, don't be tempted by what's the easiest, most affordable, or brings the highest income. Choose the profession that really attracts you and brings you joy, because as Pope Francis once said, "not loving your profession and going to work every day without desire eats away at the soul."
I wish you to achieve heights that will make us - your teachers - proud and happy, and the economy and society - prosperous and flourishing. Bulgaria needs hardworking and successful people who do not have time to hate and envy others because they are busy building the future together. I will take the liberty of saying here: "Dear students, if anyone came here just to get a degree, they should leave right now. Because this is not their university." This university is the place that loves and helps people who want much more for themselves.
Don't just study to pass another test or exam, use the lectures to become better and more successful.
From the bottom of my heart, I wish you exciting moments of student life!
Dear lecturers and partners,
Thank you again for your continued efforts to maintain a high quality of teaching and environment in this severe crisis situation! These efforts pay off a hundred times when we see the eyes of students in the audience fill with understanding, our young colleagues take their first steps in the laboratory, and our PhD students confidently demonstrate their scientific contributions.
I am convinced that in the coming years we will provide even better conditions for teaching and research, as well as a fair assessment of your tireless work.
I wish the entire academic community a healthy, peaceful and successful year!
Welcome to our Alma Mater!
I declare the academic year 2023/24 officially open!