Varna University of Management (VUM) proudly announces its newest and most significant international achievement: during the 18th Eduniversal World Convention, held on 10–13 November 2025 in Indore, India, the university was officially awarded 4 Palmes of Excellence. This distinction places VUM among the Top 200 in the global ranking of the 1,000 best business universities, reaffirming its growing global influence and long-standing commitment to high-quality international business education.
The prestigious award was received in person by Associate professor Todor Radev, President of VUM, who represented the university at the official ceremony. The event brought together institutional leaders, deans, and executives from more than 50 countries, providing a global platform for meaningful dialogue on the future of business education, as well as for celebrating academic achievements of international significance.
The 4 Palmes of Excellence distinction is awarded by the Eduniversal International Scientific Committee and designates institutions with “Top Business School” status and strong international influence. The recognition is the result of a multi-criteria evaluation, including academic reputation, internationalisation strategy, global partnerships, accreditations, and the outcomes of the annual Deans’ Vote.
The elevation of VUM from 3 to 4 Palmes of Excellence marks an important step in the university’s development and highlights its increasing global visibility and recognition, strengthened international partnerships and mobility opportunities, as well as its consistent progress in the world’s most respected business education rankings.
By entering the Top 200 business universities worldwide, VUM reinforces its position as one of the most internationally recognised academic institutions in Central and Eastern Europe. The ranking acknowledges the university’s multidisciplinary approach, internationally oriented curricula, and long-standing tradition of attracting students and faculty from more than 50 countries.
VUM’s programmes continue to achieve leading positions in the Eduniversal Best Masters Rankings, with several master’s degrees ranked among the world’s best in the fields of tourism, hospitality and business administration. Earlier this year, the global ranking of the world’s best master’s programmes placed VUM’s Master’s in International Tourism at 10th position worldwide—far ahead of equivalent programmes offered by leading American, French and Italian universities. The same ranking awarded yet another programme at VUM with a prestigious position: the Master of Business Administration (MBA), which this year ranks 5th in Central and Eastern Europe, surpassing elite universities in Poland, the Czech Republic, Latvia and Hungary. Remarkably, VUM is the only Bulgarian institution included in the Official Selection of the Top 1,000 Business Universities.
Commenting on the recognition, Associate professor Todor Radev stated: “This award is an extraordinary moment in the history of VUM. It reflects the collective efforts of our academic staff, students, partners and alumni, and emphasises our commitment to delivering world-class education grounded in innovation, ethics and global relevance. Being included among the Top 200 business universities in the world inspires us to continue expanding our international presence and academic excellence.”
The 4 Palmes of Excellence distinction strengthens VUM’s strategic development direction, supporting new international partnerships, research collaborations and programmes of global significance. It further reinforces the university’s role as a centre for innovation in higher education and a key contributor to the future of business and management studies.
Varna University of Management expresses its gratitude to the Eduniversal Scientific Committee and all academic peers involved in the evaluation process. This achievement inspires the university to strive for even greater success in the years ahead.
