site.btaUPDATED University of National and World Economy Opens New Academic Year in Presence of PM, Eurostat Director-General
The University of National and World Economy (UNWE) in Sofia held an event Tuesday for the opening of the new academic year. Among the guests were Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov and Eurostat Director General Mariana Kotzeva. Rector Prof. Dimitar Dimitrov said in his opening remarks that UNWE is among the leading European universities, placing 80th in Eastern Europe and 506 in Europe in the QS World University Rankings.
"UNWE is the only economics university in Bulgaria featured in this prestigious ranking," the Rector said.
At the close of a successful admissions campaign, the Rector of the University of National and World Economy (UNWE) announced a record-breaking year with over 8,000 applicants and more than 4,000 newly admitted students. UNWE continues to strengthen its partnerships with Bulgarian economic and language high schools and is actively involved in the European ENGAGE.EU initiative, collaborating on joint academic programs and research networks with eight leading European business universities. Students benefit from dual master’s programs with international diplomas, and the university plays a key role in national initiatives like the euro adoption campaign alongside the Bulgarian National Bank. As a digital university offering over 22 digital services, UNWE is preparing to launch an Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Economics, while also leading in sustainability with the first photovoltaic park in a Bulgarian university. The institution offers high-quality internships and business programs in cooperation with top companies and financial institutions. Proud of its distinguished alumni—including 12 prime ministers and over 200 ministers—the Rector encouraged first-year students to make the most of the university’s modern facilities, including renovated dormitories, digital classrooms, VR labs, and a fully updated library, the Rector added.
Addressing the UNWE students and guests, Prime Minister Zhelyazkov reflected on the start of the academic year.
in her address at the event, Eurostat Director-General Mariana Kotseva praised the university not only as a place that shapes successful professionals—business leaders, statesmen, scholars, and journalists—but as a cradle of modern and future Bulgaria and Europe. She emphasized that UNWE offers more than just knowledge: it shapes ways of thinking, problem-solving skills, strategic vision, and the ability to stand firm and look ahead. Kotseva highlighted the transformative power of technology for economic and social progress but also for enabling individuals to become leaders of their time. She pointed out that one of the greatest challenges today is preparing a generation capable of working with and managing artificial intelligence, and noted that what AI cannot replicate—the human element—will be cultivated at UNWE. Drawing on nearly 15 years of experience in European institutions, she concluded by encouraging students to remember that Bulgaria has the talent and potential, and Europe is an opportunity—regardless of whether they choose to work in the private sector, public service, or international organizations.
Among the guests were also representatives of various institutions, including BTA Director General Kiril Valchev.
The UNWE was established in 1920 by 11 prominent professors, businessmen and public figures, historians, sociologists and lawyers as the Free University of Political and Economic Sciences by order of the Minister of National Enlightenment and a decree of Tsar Boris III. The university's founder and first rector was Prof. Stefan Bobchev, a European graduate, patriot, Minister of National Enlightenment, corresponding member of several foreign academies of sciences.
In the 2024/25 academic year, 16,995 foreign students, including from EU Member States, enrolled in Bulgarian universities. The largest number of international students came from Greece (3,277), the United Kingdom (2,235), Ukraine (2,151), Germany (1,532) and Italy (990). A growing number of international students and doctoral candidates, including from Western Europe, are choosing to study in Bulgaria, with 779 additional enrolments in 2024/25 compared with the previous academic year. BTA has signed indefinite agreements for ongoing collaboration with 45 of Bulgaria's 51 universities to provide copyright-cleared materials and student internship opportunities.
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