On 1 October at the Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication of Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski", the new academic year was opened.

The Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Dr. Veselina Valkanova, welcomed the first-year students of the Journalism major in the Magna Aula. In her speech, she focused on education as a foundation for personal and professional development - a process that builds critical thinking, teamwork skills, and resilience.

Prof. Valkanova also drew attention to the achievements of the faculty. She stressed that FJMC was evaluated with 9,52 by the National Agency for Evaluation and Accreditation for 30 specialties in the field of "Public Communications and Information Sciences" - a result higher than the previous one from 2019, which ensures accreditation at the European level for the next four years. The dean added that the faculty is also consolidating its leading positions in international rankings, and its specialisations are among the most desirable in the Top 5 of prospective students at Sofia University.

She pointed out that for five decades the faculty has been opening its doors to young people who choose to pursue a career in media, public communication, and publishing activity. Professor. Valkanova stressed that students will develop in a dynamic environment with growing challenges - global economy, digitalization, difficult economic conditions, content and credibility crisis, and a decline in interest in news. The Dean noted that professional demands are also growing: speed and accuracy, immediate response in a digital environment, more transparency and pluralism, and better adaptation to online communication and social platforms are needed.

Prof. Prof. Valkanova emphasized that the digital environment is not just an access to huge data sets, but also a space for meaning - for a new type of journalistic narrative, for sharing the context and history of events, for a global conversation and wider audience engagement.

In his speech, the Dean also drew attention to the challenges facing journalism today, pointing out that the profession is under intense pressure - from misinformation, declining revenues, and attacks on press freedom - but remains a vital force for truth. In a world awash with lies, she said, professional editorial boards are among the last lines of defence for informational integrity.

Prof. Valkanova also focused on the teaching staff of FJMC - prominent scholars and practitioners in the field of media, communications, and publishing. She urged the students to make full use of the opportunity to study and work together with their lecturers and fellow students.

In conclusion, the Dean wished the Class of 2029 to be courageous and active, to seek and discover new horizons, and to turn their time at FJMC into a solid foundation for their future realization and contribution to society.

In Auditorium 13, the academic year for the specialty "Public Relations" was opened by Prof. Dr. Nikolay Mihaylov, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Public Relations.

In Auditorium 17, Prof. Dr. Efrem Efremov, Head of the Department of Press Journalism and Book Publishing, addressed the students of Book Publishing.

In Auditorium 61, the newly admitted students of Communication Management were greeted by Prof. Dr. Simeon Vassilev, Head of the Department of Communication and Audiovisual Production.

In the academic year 2025/2026, 73 first-year students enrolled in Journalism and 81 in Public Relations in full-time study. 31 students started in Journalism and 32 in Public Relations. 30 first-year students were enrolled in Book Publishing and 66 in Communication Management.

Earlier in the day for the academic community of St. The beginning of the academic year was marked with a solemn ceremony in the Aula of the Rector's Office, opened by the Rector Prof. Dfn. Prof. Georgi Valchev.

The Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication wishes all its students, lecturers, and staff a successful and inspiring academic year.