The large—scale event brought together more than 300 participants - representatives of leading universities, scientific organizations, government authorities, management companies, businesses and alumni associations. The focus is on the long—term financial sustainability of universities through endowment capital mechanisms. And it was the experience of the SFedU that was noted as a benchmark for the entire industry.

Russia's first Knowledge Center — based at SFedU

The main infrastructure solution presented during the session was the creation of Russia's first Knowledge Center for the development of Endowment funds in the field of education and science on the basis of the Southern Federal University. The Center operates in the format of a research laboratory and is an element of the national infrastructure for the development of endowments.

Marina Borovskaya, President of the Southern Federal University, Chairman of the Council of Rectors of Universities in the South of Russia, and an academician of the Russian Academy of Education, has been appointed Scientific Director of the Knowledge Center. Under her leadership, the Center will deploy methodological support, consulting support, webinars, analytical work, as well as networking between universities, research institutes, schools and existing endowment funds throughout the country.

Highly appreciated by the Ministry of Education and Science

Opening the session, Aslan Kanukoev, Director of the Economic Policy Department of the Russian Ministry of Education and Science, emphasized the importance of leading universities for the development of the entire system:

"The Russian Ministry of Education and Science consistently implements the position of maximizing the involvement of educational and scientific organizations in the development of endowment funds. At the same time, leading universities with strong management teams and accumulated expertise can act as knowledge centers and navigators for the entire industry, followed by the transfer of experience through network mechanisms. The creation of the first Knowledge Center at the Southern Federal University is a strategic step that sets new standards for transparency, quality of management and staffing for all endowment funds in the country."

Participation of the SFedU FCC in the "Eternal Contributions" Assembly

As part of the business program of the strategic session, the Southern Federal University Endowment Fund participated in a specialized exhibition organized as part of the Eternal Deposits Assembly. The SFedU exposition aroused great interest among representatives of universities and business partners, demonstrating successful cases of attracting extra-budgetary funds, working with graduates and long-term educational projects implemented thanks to the proceeds from the endowment.

Replenishment of the SFedU Endowment Fund

An important practical outcome of the SFedU delegation's work at the session was the signing of a cooperation agreement with Center-Invest Bank. The document confirmed the intentions of the parties to further develop the Endowment Fund of the Southern Federal University. As part of the agreements reached, targeted financial support in the amount of 3 million rubles will be allocated for the development of the endowment this year. This will not only contribute to the university's "eternal capital" piggy bank, but will also create an additional sustainable source of funding for promising SFU educational and scientific projects.

Marina Borovskaya's contribution to the development of the agenda

Speaking at the plenary session, Marina Borovskaya focused on the regional dimension of target capital:

"Target-date capitals can become a long-term mechanism for consolidating universities, businesses, graduates, and regions around development goals. For the region, this is not only a matter of attracting resources, but also a matter of trust, responsibility and joint design of the future. It is important that endowments are integrated into the strategic priorities of the Territories and work for the sustainable development of science, education and youth initiatives. And Southern Federal University is ready to be a conduit for this philosophy through our new Knowledge Center.

A new stage for SFedU

The creation of a Knowledge Center based at SFedU and its recognition as part of the national infrastructure confirms the university's leadership not only in the academic environment, but also in the field of strategic financial communications. Now, the experience of the Southern Federal University — from the legal registration of funds to interaction with donors and management companies — will be replicated as a national standard.

Horizon 2036 sets a vector in which endowments become not an auxiliary tool, but a full-fledged part of the university's development strategy. SFedU is already at the forefront of this movement," Marina Borovskaya summed up.