The event was attended by graduates, students, teachers, employees of the Southern Federal University and invited guests.

Alexander Smirnov, Chief Adviser of the Department of Law Enforcement, Defense and Security of the Office of the Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Russian Federation in the Southern Federal District, congratulated the Southern Federal University on its 108th anniversary, and noted the high value of the university's preservation of the best traditions of the development of science and higher education in our country. He also wished the staff and teachers to continue to strive for new achievements and discoveries.

Sergey Anishchenkov, Acting Minister of General and Vocational Education of the Rostov Region, presented the university staff with departmental awards of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, and also noted that the Southern Federal University for more than a century of history perfectly combines tradition and innovation in the scientific field. It is not for nothing that SFedU is an apologist, it sets trends in the scientific development of the Southern Federal District, it is research and methodological developments at this university that allow a competent approach to the pedagogy and education of the modern generation.

Rector of the Southern Federal University Inna Shevchenko congratulated students, teachers and scientists on the 108th anniversary:

"The history of our university is so great and multifaceted that by studying the archives of individual events of the Southern Federal University, you can discover many new, amazing facts, and also understand that our university is an endless science that needs to be researched, then designed and implemented. By its 108th anniversary, our university has formed its own special code, thanks to which we make many different discoveries, move in an interdisciplinary direction, develop science and new technologies. I wish everyone that in many years, many centuries, our descendants, opening the pages of the history of the university, will always find something that can be read, understood and realized, and so that it will be, let's work more, more professionally and more closely, so that our descendants can be truly proud of us!".

The Rector of the SFedU was presented with a letter of thanks from the Council of Rectors of Universities in the South of Russia.

Inna Shevchenko and Alexander Smirnov presented the teachers and staff with medals "For impeccable work and distinction". Also, ten employees of the SFedU were awarded the title of "Honorary Worker of Education of the Russian Federation", three employees were awarded the title of "Honorary Worker of Science and High Technologies of the Russian Federation".

Georgy Chibichyan, a student of the Institute of Mathematics, Mechanics and Computer Sciences of SFedU, winner of music competitions, congratulated the guests, students and teachers of the university with his creative performance.

Marina Borovskaya, President of the SFedU, Chairman of the Council of Rectors of Universities in the South of Russia, congratulated the University on its birthday.

"Southern Federal University is an integral part of my life, and probably many people here will join these words, because with SFedU we share all the achievements and successes in our professional life. We remember and appreciate our teachers and mentors, we do not forget and are proud of our students and graduates, we value the team of employees that gives us confidence in success today and tomorrow. It is pleasant for us, keeping traditions, to dream and plan how the Southern Federal University will develop further, what important role it will play in the future of Russia. 108 years ago, our predecessors were thinking about the same thing: then there was a mysterious XX century ahead, now we are facing the XXI century, and it will also be filled with breakthroughs in science and technology, and people who call themselves the SFedU team will have a hand in this," Marina Borovskaya shared.

The scientific director of the University, Professor, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Vladimir Minkin, congratulating the SFedU on his birthday, noted the significant contribution to its formation and development of Yuri Andreevich Zhdanov: 

"His role for the development of the university was exceptional, because it was he who determined the direction of the university's activities. Yuri Andreevich said that the university is a scientific institution in which students also study. Science and education are the most important things, but a university is not a teaching functional institution that has cultural, regional, educational, sports and other tasks. Managing such a large team is extremely difficult."

Vladimir Isaakovich also added that almost 70 years of his life are connected with Rostov State University. He called a special event in his life the presentation of his student ID by the rector of the University, Semyon Efimovich Belozerov, thanks to whom the university was evacuated to the city of Osh during the war, where he successfully continued his scientific and educational activities.

Sergey Dyuzhikov, Chairman of the primary trade union organization of the SFedU, delivered a congratulatory speech:

"Historically, the university still employs people who take a responsible approach to education and upbringing of the future generation of young successful professionals. These people strive to create, to make our city, region and our country better. The good traditions of the Southern Federal University have been passed down from generation to generation for 108 years, and we are sure that the next generations of students and teachers will also cherish them!".

Diplomas and commendations of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation and the Council of Rectors of Universities of the South of Russia were also awarded.

At the end of the holiday, Alice Nalivaiko, a student of the Southern Federal University, winner of vocal competitions, congratulated the guests with her vocal performance.