In two solemn ceremonies that took place in the Rectory Hall, 391 bachelors and masters from the class of 2023 of the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration (FEBA) received their diplomas for completed higher education. 64 students have a GPA above 5.50, and four are full honors.

The Dean of FEBA Assoc. Prof. Atanas Georgiev opened the celebrations. He welcomed the graduates and their guests in the most representative hall of Sofia University.

In his speech Assoc. Prof. Georgiev said that this is the symbolic end of students’ wandering around the University, and as with every journey and return, they are back at the starting point, but grown, wiser, with lessons learned and unlearned, and with many new ideas and knowledge. "Last but not least, you are already an integral part of the community of FEBA and Sofia University. You share our values, you are full of energy and with the desire to climb new heights and work for new achievements", said the Dean of FEBA.

Album with photos from the ceremony of awarding the diplomas to the graduates of the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration. "Bachelor", Graduation 2023 - Aula Magna of SU "St. Kliment Ohridski" (Rectorate) - December 12, 2023, 10.00 a.m.

Album with photos from the graduation ceremony of the graduates of the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration. "Master", Graduation 2023 - in the Aula Magna of SU "St. Kliment Ohridski" (Rectorate) - December 12, 2023, 1:00 p.m.

Addressing the graduates, Assoc. Prof. Georgiev noted that today they are going to receive their higher education diplomas from the most prestigious university, from the best business faculty in Bulgaria. Diplomas that they have earned with a lot of effort and with which they will open even more doors and opportunities.

The Dean's first message to his youngest colleagues was to rejoice in this moment and appreciate it, to see it as one of their first more or less independently completed projects. To take stock and move on.

The Dean's second message to the graduates was not to slow down. "Don't be reassured that a diploma is a sufficient condition for your subsequent successes. Continue to develop with new knowledge, skills, professional relationships, and successful projects", he said, adding that they will continue to be a better version of themselves.

Assoc. Prof. Georgiev addressed a third message to the graduates and it was related to the community that unites them. He urged them to look around them, to think about what has connected them in the last four years with the people around them. “Give thanks—mentally, or better, out loud—to everyone who has contributed to your success. Consider that, apart from your professors, you have learned a lot from our business and institutional partners, but also from each of your fellow students, and each member of our community. Most likely, you will rely on these people in your next endeavors, so I wish you to preserve and develop these relationships in the next stages of your life as well", said Assoc. Prof. Georgiev. He urged the graduates not to forget to thank their families and relatives. “They have supported you at various stages during your journey here. The quest for knowledge and the search for perfection is nurtured from a tender age and is a key family value throughout life - from the first children's book you were given as a child, to the moments when your families supported you morally and financially, for complete each subsequent year of your education.

The Dean urged the graduates to think about their professors as well. "Increasingly in our modern role, we must not only pass on to you the knowledge we have but also encourage you to increasingly learn from each other and to continue to do so in each subsequent step of your personal and professional development. We hope that we will be able to help you in the future as well - both in an educational and purely human aspect", he noted.

Assoc. Prof. Georgiev gave a special greeting to all the graduates for their choice to be part of the Sofia University community and called on them to wear with pride the title of "graduate of the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration of Sofia University" - undoubtedly the most prestigious economic and business faculty in the country, part from the most prestigious graduate school.

"You are already "alumni" of Sofia University and part of the most influential and numerous social network in Bulgaria. Be our ambassadors among Bulgarian and international companies and institutions, in every single action in your next steps", said Assoc. Prof. Georgiev.

In his speech, he recalled some of their joint successes. The Faculty of Economics and Business Administration is one of only 300 internationally accredited business schools in the AMBA network. It is part of the networks of AACSB, the UN Global Compact, the Principles for Responsible Management Education initiative, we have internationally accredited programs from ACCA, CFA Institute and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales, the only academic partner in Bulgaria of the Institute of the European Investment bank, which provides opportunities for guest lectures and participation in their summer school and other initiatives.

"We are part of international networks that allow us to provide quality economic and business education here, in Bulgaria, in an international environment, with many opportunities for mobility and realization around the world", said Assoc. Prof. Georgiev and added that the faculty's partners from the corporate world are constantly in their classrooms - both with lectures, with events, and with donations for their renovation. “They are there because of your energy, knowledge and ability. The doors of their offices are open to each of you because you already know each other. Many alumni of our faculty are actively involved in teaching and organizing numerous events. Now you will be one of them and we will rely on your support", said the Dean and thanked everyone for being active as students in extracurricular activities, student organizations, math Olympiads, sports competitions, summer schools, conferences and other events, where they represented the university and the faculty with dignity, taking the first places in competition with their colleagues from other universities and other countries. "This confirms our leadership position and allows us to see that both education and our students are world-class", the Dean emphasized.

He drew attention to the fact that even if the government does not value economic and business education enough or does not make a clear enough distinction in the financing of individual universities, teachers are convinced that for them, for their current and future employers, for their partners in their entrepreneurial undertakings and the entire public in Bulgaria and around the world, it is clear that the brand Faculty of Economics and Business Administration of the University of Sofia is a guarantee for their leadership position and their subsequent successes.

The last message of Assoc. Prof. Atanas Georgiev to the graduates was to continue to be active citizens and to develop the communities in which we live. "Don't let them tell you “it can't be done”. Don't be satisfied with the phrase "we can". Show that the progress of society, individual organizations, and each individual is the result of innovative thinking, hard work, and teamwork. Be a leader in every way and an example to those around you. Share your successes with your communities, support those who follow your path after you, and inspire the next generation to achieve even more”, said the Dean.

Finally, he thanked all the graduates for choosing the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration and Sofia University as their Community in which to develop and move forward. He thanked everyone who supported them along the way – parents, friends, colleagues, teachers, and administrative staff, as well as the faculty's partners from businesses and institutions who actively participate in the educational process and continuously support it.

Associate Professor Georgiev concluded with a message to his youngest colleagues not to forget that being a "graduate of FEBA" is not only a privilege but also a responsibility. In their every action, they should remember that they are the face of the faculty community and that with their every action or inaction, they represent it. "I wish you to be the best ambassadors at home and around the world for the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration and continue to be proud of our community as it is proud of you". Good luck and courage for new achievements!", finally said the Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration.

The Deputy Rector of Sofia University Assoc. Prof. Aneta Antonova also congratulated the bachelor graduates and their relatives and reminded them that Sofia University, the oldest higher education institution in our country, is celebrating 135 years since its establishment. Today it is the only Bulgarian higher education institution occupying a place in the world rating rankings. Assoc. Prof. Antonova also recalled that in the 13th edition of the rating ranking in Bulgaria, Alma Mater took first place in 22 professional fields, among which is economics, which is studied by students at the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration.

The Vice-Chancellor congratulated the graduates for their efforts during their studies to reach today. She expressed her confidence that the hard work will bring them many benefits in the future.