For Half a Century Neofit Rilski South-West University Has Been a Centre of Knowledge, Traditions, and Innovation, Rector Marin Says

Risida Dimitrova, BTA correspondent Maria Spasova

Official opening of the 2025/2026 academic year at the Neofit Rilski South-West University in Blagoevgrad, Southwestern Bulgaria, September 23, 2025 (BTA Photo/Krasimir Nikolov)

Blagoevgrad, Southwestern Bulgaria,

23.09.2025 14:52

(BTA)

Neofit Rilski South-West University in Blagoevgrad officially opened the new academic year on Tuesday. “For half a century, our institution has been a centre of knowledge, traditions, and innovation, opening new horizons for young people ready to embark on the path of science and professional development,” Rector Prof. Nikolay Marin said in his address.

In his greeting, Education and Science Minister Krasimir Valchev said that the beginning of each academic year is one of the most festive days as it is filled with faith, hope, and optimism for the future. "Faith in our children, hope that through education we will live in a better world, and the optimism that it brings make this day a true celebration," he said. The Minister wished the students inspiration and motivation, to study diligently and purposefully every day, because perseverance is the key to true learning. The mission of the university, he added, it to continue the educational role of Bulgarian schools.

Metropolitan Seraphim of Nevrokop also addressed the academic community. He wished everyone humility and faith in their noble pursuit of knowledge and blessed those present with health, peace, and a successful year.

Blagoevgrad Mayor Metodi Baikushev said that there are many successful individuals who graduated Neofit Rilski South-West University. Achieving independence is something the students should strive towards, the Mayor added. He wished them fond memories of their time in the city, filled with friendship, faith, hope and love. The Mayor announced that on October 1, the municipality will organise the Students, Welcome to Blagoevgrad event for the second time in Macedonia Park, which gives students the opportunity to meet local employers and participate in various initiatives.

As part of the music programme, a student from the Faculty of Arts performed My Country, My Bulgaria. The Rector personally handed the student books to the first-year students with the highest entry scores, and Ivayla Tsenova, enrolled in Bulgarian Studies, addressed the guests at the gathering, on their behalf. The ceremony ended with the academic anthem Gaudeamus igitur.

Before the official ceremony, flowers were laid at the Neofit Rilski monument in the university yard.

In the 2024/2025 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.

/DS/