Dear AUBG Community,
As we approach the end of 2024, I am filled with pride and gratitude for the achievements we have accomplished together. This year has been truly extraordinary, marked by significant milestones that demonstrate the strength, the dedication, and the spirit of our AUBG community. I would like to take a moment to reflect on what we have accomplished together this year.
- Largest incoming class: AUBG welcomed its largest admitted class in history. This is a clear testament not only to the growing demand for the world-class education we provide but to our growing reputation in the region.
- Outstanding faculty: Exceptional faculty members from diverse disciplines have joined AUBG, further enhancing our academic excellence and contributing to the dynamic intellectual environment that defines us.
- Skapto III expansion: On September 12, we broke ground on the Skapto III expansion. This will add 310 new beds to our campus housing by Fall 2026. I am happy to report that the project is progressing smoothly and on schedule.
- ABF Matching challenge: Thanks to the overwhelming support of hundreds of alumni, friends, faculty, staff, and Board members, we have actually met the $1M America for Bulgaria Foundation matching challenge ahead of the December 31 deadline. Our 2 Million Chances to Change a Life campaign has been a resounding and unprecedented success, showcasing the collective generosity and commitment of our community and its many supporters.
- Center for Information, Democracy, and Citizenship: This Fall marked a milestone for the CIDC at AUBG, which successfully completed the Advocacy Academy and launched impactful initiatives such as the Christo Grozev Fellowship for Courageous Journalism and the Christo Grozev Scholarship Program. The CIDC at AUBG continues to advance democracy, combat disinformation, and promote civic engagement both on campus and beyond at a time when such work has become increasingly vital.
- Bulgarian accreditation: We renewed our institutional accreditation for six years with an outstanding grade of 9.31 out of 10, surpassing our previous rating of 9.09 and once again reaffirming our academic excellence.
- Bulgarian University Ranking: AUBG has again secured top positions, confirming its place as a leading university in Bulgaria. Our programs in Business Administration, Economics, Journalism and Mass Communication, Political Science, Computer Science, and our Executive MBA program have all earned high rankings.
2024 has seen this university advance on so many fronts, an exciting intellectual center and educational beacon for our part of the world. Your accomplishments are a testament to the resilience, commitment, and hard work of our entire community. They remind us of our shared mission: to uphold the values of a free, ethical, and democratic society; to foster a culture of learning and critical thinking, and to empower our students to create a more just and peaceful and sustainable world.
As we conclude this remarkable year, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you – our students, faculty, staff, alumni, members of our Board and University Council – for your exemplary dedication, passion, and belief in AUBG’s mission. Together we are shaping a brighter future.
I wish you all a joyful holiday season filled with peace and happiness. May the New Year bring endless opportunities and success for us all.
My best wishes,
Dr. Margee Ensign
President
