Sixteen nurses and seventeen midwives walked the red carpet on the stage at Konstantin Kisimov Musical and Drama Theatre in Veliko Tarnovo to receive their diplomas from the Rector of the Varna Medical University. The official graduation ceremony of the first Class of the Higher Education Affiliate in the Old Capital City took place today, 12th October.
“However, the most important thing is that these brave ladies will not pack their suitcases and depart with what they have learned. On the contrary, they will stay here, in their home country to take care of the Bulgarian patients, Bulgarian mothers, Bulgarian children. As a Bulgarian educational institution we are aware that it is not enough to educate only, but we also need to develop skills and professional habits in the young people. We can claim we have completed our mission solely if these young people remain in our country. Because it does need them!” said the Rector Prof. Dr. Krasimir Ivanov during the ceremony. He expressed his admiration for the graduates for their courage, audacity and efforts to go through the uneasy path during their four-year education in order to make their decision to stay in their home country. Prof. Ivanov also extended gratitude to the Mayor of Veliko Tarnovo, the district authorities and the public for their efforts and willingness the Affiliate to open its doors in their city.
Holding candles in their hands, the graduating nurses and midwives took an oath, repeating the words after the Director of the Affiliate, Assoc. Prof. Diana Dimitrova and the top students in the programme of Nursery Care - Maria Getsova and the programme of Midwifery - Rumyana Litsanova.
The Member of Parliament Stanislav Stoyanov expressed his satisfaction that all graduates intend to remain in the country, where they are in such a great demand, and more than half of them have chosen to practise their profession in their hometown Veliko Tarnovo. The Mayor of the Old Capital City in the period of 2011 - 2019, Eng. Daniel Panov, during whose term of office the Affiliate had been opened, also congratulated the graduating students of the first Class at the Affiliate and thanked the management of Medical University - Varna. The current Mayor of Veliko Turnovo Municipality - Mrs. Snezhana Daneva awarded Prof. Ivanov and Assoc. Prof. Emanuela Mutafova (Dean of FPH at MU-Varna in 2012-2018) with honorary diplomas of the Old Capital and plaques for special merit for opening the Affiliate.
The top student of the Class Maria Getsova was also awarded with a diploma of merit of the Old Capital and a plaque, as well as a prize for professional growth during her study from Multiprofile Regional Hospital for Active Treatment “Dr. Stefan Cherkesov” - Veliko Turnovo. All students graduating with excellent scores received a money prize from the Rector and a gift from the Bulgarian Association of Healthcare Professionals. The graduates were also awarded by the Alliance of Bulgarian Midwives.
Special greetings to the graduates were performed by the Vocal Group "The Children of Sevlievo", led by Vanya Angelska. To greet the graduates, there was also the opera singer Stoyan Bonchev, who sang on the stage of the Veliko Turnovo Theatre. Shortly before the caps went flying in the air, the audience started singing “Na Mnogaya Leta”.
Guests at the ceremony were plenty of heads of health, educational and social institutions, professional organizations, citizens of Veliko Tarnovo.
D. Velcheva
