The National Representation of Student Councils (NSC) honored at an official ceremony the most successful and active students of Bulgaria in the 16th edition of the National Prize “Student of the Year”. The ceremony took place in the “Maxima” hall of the University of National and World Economy (UNWS) and lasted over three hours.
The event was under the patronage of President Rumen Radev. The head of state presented the “Student of the Year – 2022” award to Radina Ivanova Bodurovawho is in her third year at the “Georgi Benkovski” Higher Air Force School.
It is a great honor for me to be here, said Bodurova and expressed great gratitude to the entire staff of the Higher Air Force School. She noted that she is a graduate of the Science and Mathematics High School in Haskovo and wished all students to pursue their goals.
President Rumen Radev, presenting the “Student of the Year – 2022” award, noted that students at all times – in Bulgaria and around the world, are the conscience of the nation. Know that conformity is not a path to happiness, fight for your dreams, the head of state addressed the students with these words.
Before that, President Rumen Radev made a speech in which he said that the most important strategic goal for Bulgaria is the development of young people – spiritually and physically – the investment in our future. The head of state called on the students not to fall for the injustice, corruption and indolence that give rise to hopelessness. “This hopelessness and pathlessness drove hundreds of thousands of young people away from Bulgaria,” Radev believes.
The ceremony began with the speeches of the chairman of the NPSS, Daniel Parushev, and the rector of the UNSS, Prof. Dimitar Dimitrov.
A special award of the NPSS was presented to Prof. Liliana Valcheva – Chairman of the National Trade Union “Higher Education and Science”. She stated that the student community is unique and united, and expressed her conviction that everything will be done to make the voice of the talented Bulgarian students heard.
The award in the “Pedagogical Sciences” category was handed over by the chairman of the Metropolitan Municipal Council (SOC) Georgi Georgiev to Denis Asenov from the University of Ruse “Angel Kanchev”. Georgiev congratulated on behalf of the capital mayor Yordanka Fandakova and from SOS the National Representation of Student Councils for honoring the best students every year.
The Rector of UNSS Prof. Dimitar Dimitrov presented the prize for “Humanities and Social Sciences” of Atanas Georgiev Radev from Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”. He thanked for the recognition he received and noted that he is part of the Political Science Student Club at SU.
The Acting Minister of Justice Krum Zarkov presented the award for “Legal Sciences” to Vyara Borisova Trifonova and said he was awarding her for the second time as she had also won an essay competition on human rights. Minister Zarkov invited each of the four nominated students in this category to visit the Ministry of Justice for a week.
The award for “Economic Sciences” was presented by Irina Shtonova – Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry, to Valeri Krasimirova from UNSS.
For “Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Informatics” the award was presented by Atanas Kovachev – member of the expert jury, of Dimitar Sabev Dimitrov from the Nikola Y. Vaptsarov Higher Naval School. He said he was honored to receive this award and thanked the support he received from his professors.
Acting Deputy Prime Minister Atanas Pekanov presented the award for “Technical Sciences” to Reni Georgieva Syarova. Pekanov joked and told the students in the hall: “I’m not a very good example, don’t accept to become a minister before you finish your doctorate.”
Deputy Minister of Energy Iva Petrova awarded in the category “Agrarian Sciences and Veterinary Medicine” Vesela Slaveykova Slaveva from the Forestry University.
In the category “Health care” the award was presented by the Deputy Minister of Health Assoc. Alexander Zlatkov of Zdravko Ivanov Ivanov from the Medical University in Plovdiv.
Kubrat Pulev announced that the prize for “Sport” is awarded to Boryana Nikolaeva Kalein from the National Sports Academy, but she did not attend the event.
Watching this ceremony, I am full of faith for the future of Bulgaria and I think that if sports and education go together, as a society, we will have greater success, said Pulev.
The leadership of the NPSS presents an award to Kubrat Pulev, which is for the development of Bulgarian sports among student youth, announced the chairman of the NPSS, Daniel Parushev.
In the “Arts” category, the prize was presented by Dr. Petar Chaushevchairman of the NPSS in 2010-2011, to Ivan Todorov from the National Academy of Arts.
Prof. Dragomir Stefanov presented the award for “Security and Defense” to Borislav Petrov Ivanov from the Higher Aerospace School “Georgi Benkovski”.
In the “Foreign student in Bulgaria” category, the award was presented by the Moroccan ambassador to us, Zakia El Midaoui, to Mark Schneider from Germany, who is studying at the Medical University in Varna.
For “Bulgarian student studying abroad” was awarded Elena Nikolova, who studies higher education in Italy. The award was announced by Assoc. Daniel Yordanov – Chairman of the NPSS from 2006 to 2008, and by Atanas Maznev – Deputy Minister of e-Government.
The Deputy Minister of Education and Science Prof. Albena Chavdarova presented the award in the “Doctoral Student of the Year” category of Teodor Anatoliev Angelov from the Medical University in Sofia. He also received a laptop from the Ministry of Education and Science.
Assoc. Eng. Ivaylo Simeonov, mayor of Elin Pelin municipality and first chairman of NPSS, presented the prize in the “Student – volunteer of the year” category of Lora Fuchejieva.
The “Student of the Year” competition was established at the beginning of 2006 at the initiative of the delegates to the General Assembly of the National Representation of Student Councils in Bulgaria.
Its main mission is to popularize, distinguish and promote the achievements of Bulgarian students from all fields of higher education before the public.
A jury of leading experts in higher education has determined the winners in the categories. All prize winners have proven achievements in scientific, cultural, sports and other activities that are related to the educational process at the national and international level.
The national prize “Student of the Year” is the most prestigious competition for young people in Bulgaria, the NPSS notes.
