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Sofia University Officially Opens 2025/2026 Academic Year

Tatiana Marinova
Sofia University Officially Opens 2025/2026 Academic Year
Sofia University Officially Opens 2025/2026 Academic Year
The official opening of the academic year at St. Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia, October 1, 2025 (BTA Photo/Minko Chernev)
Sofia,  
01.10.2025 18:04
 (BTA)

St Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia officially opened the 2025/2026 academic year on Wednesday. Before the academic ceremony in the aula, the university leadership and the Academic Council of Sofia University laid flowers at the monuments of the benefactors Evlogi and Hristo Georgiev, as well as at the memorial plaques honoring faculty and students who died for their country during the Balkan Wars. 

Attending the opening were National Assembly Chair Nataliya Kiselova, Education Minister Krasimir Valchev, Justice Minister Georgi Georgiev, the chair of the parliamentary committee on education and science Prof. Andrey Chorbanov, the chair of the Higher Education and Science National Union Prof. Lilyana Valcheva, Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) Director General Kiril Valchev, university rectors, former rectors of Sofia University, faculty members, and students.

Parliament Chair Kiselova addressed the academic staff, encouraging them to inspire young people to gain knowledge and achieve new accomplishments. She pointed out that the year will be a challenge for her personally, as she will combine her duties as an MP with her academic responsibilities. In her address to the first-year students, Kiselova highlighted that they are joining the community of Bulgaria’s oldest university and urged them to be curious, seek knowledge and strive to become successful and responsible citizens.

Education Minister Valchev said that Sofia University is the higher education institution the state and society rely on the most. He underscored the university’s role in preparing top specialists, preserving national identity through the humanities, and positioning Bulgaria on the global map of artificial intelligence and higher education. "In this context, it is very heartening news for me that each year, when I present the so-called national diplomas to students with top honors and winners of international competitions, I ask each graduate where they plan to continue their education. And it brings me great joy to hear that more and more of them are staying in Bulgaria, and increasingly choosing Sofia University. This year, over one-third, or nearly 40%, of these students will continue their studies at Sofia University, more than those going abroad. And this percentage increases every year, which may be one of the strongest testaments to Sofia University's quality. It is being recognized by the best students as a higher education institution that is competitive with universities worldwide," the Minister said.

BTA Director General Valchev said that Sofia University ranks among the top Bulgarian universities by number of international students, with 1,394 students from 62 countries enrolled in the past academic year. He addressed the students, saying that their choice of Sofia University is proof that they believe they can achieve success here, the same kind of success that young Bulgarians often seek abroad, overlooking the thousands of international students who come to Bulgaria believing in the value of a university education obtained here. Valchev noted that Bulgaria, which has been part of Europe for 14 centuries, through its EU membership, offers students the same opportunities, including knowledge exchange through programmes with universities worldwide. He also invited the students to apply for internships at BTA.

Justice Minister Georgiev, speaking at the Faculty of Law’s academic opening, praised it as the best law school in Bulgaria. He joined other officials in welcoming the new students and celebrating the long-standing academic excellence of the faculty, founded in 1892.

Faculty of Law Dean Prof. Daniel Valchev said that it has been one of the university’s leading faculties since its establishment. He urged students: “Never accept injustice or ugliness, and above all never accept stupidity. Hold yourselves to high standards.”

/RD/

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By 00:39 on 04.10.2025 Today`s news

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