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Dear Graduates,

Congratulations on your success! The Graduation and the acquisition of a Master's degree in Medicine is a peak from which wide horizons for a successful professional realization are opening ahead of you.

Unfortunately, the complex epidemic situation has adversely affected our social life, including the opportunity for all of us to celebrate the promotion of the Class of 2021 together. In order to avoid risks to your health and the health of your relatives, the Faculty of Medicine plans to award the diplomas in ceremonies, which will involve only the graduates, without the presence of parents and relatives. The ceremonies will be transmitted in a live webcast for parents and relatives to observe.

• Venue / Where will the graduation ceremony take place?

The Graduation ceremony for the Class of 2021 will take place in I^st auditorium (4^th floor) at MU-Varna's main building (55 "Prof. Marin Drinov" Str., 9002 Varna).

• When will the graduation ceremony take place?

The Graduation ceremony will be held on 11^th December 2021 in two sequential small ceremonies with up to 70 graduates.

Session I form 09:45 to 12:00

Session II from 12:45 to 15:00

Detailed information about the sequence of events for each session can be found in the tables below.

• Admission to the solemn graduation ceremony

On the day of the graduation ceremony, the access to the Medical University – Varna building will be restricted. Only graduates in the list of attendees for the corresponding session who possess a valid "EU Digital COVID Certivicate" (or equivalent) will be allowed to enter. As determined by orders RD-01-890/03.11.2021, RD-01-733/27.08.2021 and RD-01-861/21.10.2021 of the Minister of Health, the certificate must attest vaccination status, previous exposure, a negative preliminary test, or a high antibody titer against Covid-19.

• When will I receive my Diploma and the diploma supplement?

You will receive the Diploma during the official graduation ceremony.

Graduates can obtain their Diploma Supplement (the Diploma is invalid without it) upon returning the official gowns, caps and scarfs after the ceremony:

For Session I, between 14:00-15:00, and for Session II, between 16:00-17:00.

• What will happen if I get late for my ceremony or am not able to attend?

If you arrive late, you may not get the opportunity to walk on stage. In this case, you can receive your Diploma after the ceremony or at the Faculty after 13^th December 2021 during office hours.

• Is it compulsory to wear an academic gown?

Gowns, hoods and caps with tassels worn by university graduates and lecturers date back to more than a century ago.

The first European universities were affiliated with the church. Hence, students and lecturers used to wear priest hooded robes on formal occasions.

Caps have undergone modifications and in the course of time they have acquired their distinguished square shape. Tassels are worn to the right. They are moved to the left when graduates are awarded with a Master's Degree.

Graduate students wear scarves, which are actually the modified hoods of the monastic race. They symbolize their commitment to the doctor's profession and the medical community. The scarves of the graduates of Medical University – Varna are of a specific colour.

The Varna higher education institution is the first in the country to introduce wearing gowns and caps with tassels during the graduation ceremony of its students.

If you are going to attend the ceremony, you are required to wear the academic gown of MU-Varna.

• What will my academic attire look like?

The academic attire consists of a gown, a scarf and a cap with a tassel. The colour of the scarf depends on the affiliation with the designated Faculty. The gown, the scarf, and the cap are to be returned after the ceremony! The tassel you can keep as a souvenir.

• What am I to wear with my gown?

The Graduation is a solemn event. We kindly invite graduates to tailor their attire to the occasion. It is recommended that the clothes be simple, in neutral colours, and women's heels be up to 7 cm high, in order to avoid accidents during Diploma awarding on stage in the hall. Sportswear and casual wear is not considered appropriate for graduation ceremonies, either.

• How will I know when it is my turn to walk on stage?

Guided by the Student Affairs Officers, students will move from their seats in a predetermined order to walk on stage. After receiving the Diploma, students will return to their seats until the end of the ceremony

• Professional photos on a branded wall

Once the ceremony is over, graduates will have the opportunity to take photos in the lobby on the 1^st and 4^th floor, where there will be branded walls, in front of which our photographers will capture your happy moments. The photos will be posted on the University's website within a few days after the ceremony.