The Graduation Ceremony for the Class of 2024 was held at the Agricultural University – Plovdiv
On December 12, 2024, Plovdiv, a solemn graduation ceremony for the Class of 2024 was held at the Aula-Maxima Auditorium of the Agricultural University – Plovdiv. A total of 653 university studentsreceived their diplomas, among which 373 successfully completed the Bachelor’s degree and 280 – the Master’s degree.
The average grade for the undergraduates of all 17 majors, full-time and part-time, is a very good 4.86, and the average grade of the state exams is a very good 5.06. The graduates from 19 majors in seven professional fields graduated with an average grade of study – a very good 5.71 and an average grade of state exams – an excellent 5.64.
65 undergraduates received their diplomas with excellent grades, 4 of which with complete excellence, and 50 graduates received their complete excellent diplomas. Among them was the host of the ceremony Plamena Dobreva, Plant Protection major.
In her welcoming speech to the graduating students, the Rector of the Agricultural University Assoc. Prof. Dr. Boryana Ivanova stated: “Today is a solemn day of realized dreams and a new stage in life of professional realization and career development. Dear graduating students, you had the privilege and pleasure of studying at a university that today is a modern, national and European, educational, research and innovation center. Well integrated into the European educational space and UNIgreen partner with a significant contribution to the sustainable, intelligent growth of the agricultural sector, the tourist business, and the development of the regions.” She emphasized the leading role of the university in agricultural science, education and business in Bulgaria and abroad, as well as the consolidated leadership positions of the university in the professional fields of Crop Breeding, Plant Protection and Livestock Breeding according to the rating system of higher education institutions in Bulgaria. In conclusion, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ivanova wished the graduating students a successful realization and a good journey.
Official guests of the celebration were Prof. Dr. Violeta Bozhanova – President of the Agricultural Academy, Mrs. Ivanka Todorova – Secretary General of the National Agricultural Advisory Service, Dr. Mariana Tcholakova – Honorary Consul of Germany in Plovdiv, Mr. Korhan Küngerü – Consul General of Turkey in Plovdiv, Dr. Yang Tian – Education Advisor, Embassy of China, Rectors of Plovdiv Higher Schools, Dr. Momchil Stanishev – Director of the Association for the Promotion of Agricultural Cooperation between China and the Central and Eastern European countries, representatives of the Board of Trustees of AU, local authorities, Regional Department of Education – Plovdiv, agricultural business, vocational high schools.
Special guests at the ceremonial promotion were rectors of the Agricultural University – Plovdiv, who have left a mark on its history: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Georgi Moskov – Rector of AU 1995-1999,Corresponding Member Prof. Dr. Yordanka Kuzmanova – Rector of AU 1999-2007. and Prof. Dr. Dimitar Grekov – Rector of AU 2008-2015.
This year’s bachelor’s degree winners from the class of 2024 are four – Miglena Gercheva, Plant Protection major, Mariyana Georgieva, Business Economics major, Dmitry Gospodinov, AgriculturalEngineering major and Georgi Gidishki, Economics and Management of Regional Development major. They graduated with an excellent 6.00 from the course of study and 6.00 from the state exam.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Boryana Ivanova presented the traditional Rector’s Award to Miglena Gercheva from the Plant Protection major, who is continuing her education at the Agricultural University in the Master’s course Integrated Plant Protection and to Dmitry Gospodinov from the Agricultural Engineering major.
Crystal plaques for “Most successful Erasmus+ student of the class of 2024” received Bozhidar Iliev and Stanislav Raychev from Agricultural Engineering major by Prof. Dr. Dimo Atanasov, Vice-Rector for Scientific and International Activities and Institutional Coordinator of the Erasmus+ Program.
The university’s long-standing partners from the company BASF presented all the honorees with original gifts on their graduation.
At the ceremony, the Management and the Academic community of the Agricultural University – Plovdiv expressed their gratitude and recognition to professors Malgozhata Berova, Doicho Dimov and Emilia Mihailova for their long-term contribution to the development of the Agricultural University – Plovdiv and agricultural science in Bulgaria.
The leader of the class of 2024 and winner of the Rector’s Award, Miglena Gercheva, thrilled the audience with her speech and thanked on behalf of herself and her colleagues for the acquired valuable knowledge and experience.
Mariyana Georgieva from the Business Economics major and all AU graduating students pronounced the graduation oath.
Mr. Stefan Dimitrov, Chairman of the AU Board of Trustees, congratulated the young colleagues and wished them success in their chosen profession.
A special award was honoured to Zdravko Zhelev, Agricultural Engineering major, third-year student – gold medalist in the discipline 50 m back at the National University Swimming Championship 2024.
The name of the Agricultural University – Plovdiv was also popularized through the sports successes of the children from the swimming club “Higher Institute of Agriculture“ with coach Mila Meleva – state champions for 2024. They deservedly received their diplomas and gifts on the stage at the Auditorium.
The vocal performances of Nikolay Ivanov from the Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts “Prof. Asen Diamandiev” evoked a palette of emotions in all present, and the Varna Dance of the Student Dance Group “Thracian Youth” demonstrated the refined beauty of Bulgarian folklore.
