An official celebration of Saratov State University Anniversary took place at Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet yesterday, 18 December 2009. 100 years ago the ceremony of official opening was held in the same building.
Valeriy Prozorov, Chairman of Celebration Commission, was the master of jubilee ceremony.
SSU staff, students, post-graduates students, alumni, SSU partners and friends were invited to the anniversary. Among honorary guests there were Vyacheslav Volodin, deputy Head of Gosduma (Russian Parliament), Secretary of General Council of “UNITED RUSSIA” political party; Andrei Fursenko, Minister of Education of the Russian Federation; Evgeniy Zabarchuk, deputy Prosecutor General of Russia; Nikolai Bulaev, Head of Federal Agency on Education; Pavel Ipatov, governor of Saratov region; Valeriy Radaev, head of Saratov region Parliament; Pavel Grishin, Chief Federal Inspector in Saratov region; Petr Glybochko, secretary of Political Council in Saratov branch of “UNITED RUSSIA” political party and others.
Dmitriy Medvedev, President of the Russian Federation, also congratulated the university. Andrei Fursenko, Minister of Education of the Russian Federation, read his letter. President noted, that SSU is an important research and educational center in Volga region. Many prominent scientists worked in SSU and the President hopes that in future SSU will continue to prepare highly-qualified specialists and experts.Leonid Kossovich, SSU rector, thanked the President for the warm words and considers this message will serve as a new impetus for working for the good of the country.
The rector reminded guests about those people, who contributed to glory of the university: Vasiliy Razumovskiy, the first SSU rector; Karl Mufke, architect; Semen Frank, the first Dean and founder of history and philology department; Nikolai Vavilov, prominent geneticist. Returning to present, the rector noted that nowadays SSU is still one of the biggest Russian universities – new labs are being opened, and also research centers, new specializations at SSU departments and educational institutes. Research and educational activity is developing rapidly.
The rector thanked Vyacheslav Volodin, Andrei Fursenko, Nikolai Bulaev and their colleagues for permanent attention to the needs of university. Leonid Kossovich thanked all SSU staff – professors, staff members, students, post-graduate students – who help to maintain the high status of the university. In conclusion he proclaimed the motto of SSU – “100 year experience means future of innovations”.
Vyacheslav Volodin, deputy Head of Gosduma (Russian Parliament), noted that 100 year anniversary is a big day not only for the university, but for the region itself. He expressed an opinion that collaboration between authorities and the university helped to improve a lot material and technical base (resources) of SSU. The main objective now – is to obtain the status of “Innovations University”, which will greatly help to improve scientific and research base. Also he said that out of 350 Russia’s universities overall in the country SSU occupies 18th place (Interfax and “Moscow Echo” radio station rating). 
SSU staff members and student received certificates of honor, letters of gratitude, which were awarded by Gosduma, “UNITED RUSSIA” political party, the governor of Saratov region, head of regional Parliament, Ministry of Education, Office of General Prosecutor of Russia, Office of Plenipotentiary of the President in Volga region. Pavel Ipatov, governor of Saratov region, noted that SSU is fully supported not only by city administration, but by Russian Government. Groups of talented scientists work in SSU, who help to develop such important areas as defense industry, agriculture, scientific research and others. The governor considers the university as one of the potential innovations universities in Russia, because SSU has an enormous potential.
Andrei Fursenko, Minister of Education of the Russian Federation, said that the university is a worthy entity, which gave life to may scientific areas. You need to prove the status of a leading university all the time. The Minister of Education shared his impressions after visiting Nanostructures and Biosystems Institute at SSU. The people who work there were what he remembered best – young, ambitious people, who want to be the best. Also Andrei Fursenko wished the university to continue to win competitions and contests, and the Government will do the best to acknowledge these achievements.
Longin, Bishop of Saratov and Volsk, read congratulation letter from Kirill, Patriarch of Russia. SSU is considered to be a keeper of traditions for more than a century and does a lot for moral and spiritual upbringing of youth.Vladimir Gusev, SSU alumni, member of Federation Council of Russia (Senate), passed congratulation from Sergei Mironov, Head of Federation Council of Russia. “The university is famous for its scientific schools, in which many generations of prominent scientists and researchers, highly-qualified experts and specialists were prepared. The projects which advance the country are being developed here, at SSU”.
Valeriy Radaev, head of Saratov region Parliament, joined the congratulations. He noted that it is impossible to imagine Saratov without the university. “A big group of outstanding scientists are connected with the university. SSU is one of TOP-20 universities in the country. Here, at the university, they have the following tradition – a good result becomes the best, and the best becomes outstanding”.
Congratulations from Grigori Rapota, Plenipotentiary of the President in Volga Region, were expressed by Pavel Grishin, Chief Federal Inspector in Saratov. Rapota considers SSU as one of the best universities in the country.SSU received many congratulations from its partners not only from Russia, but from abroad also. Oleg Tabakov, distinguished People’s Actor of USSR, didn’t forget about the university. He made a movie, in which he congratulated SSU.
There were also musical congratulations. Singers, both adults and small children, performed on the scene and sang songs. After the ceremony there were fireworks for the guests and people of Saratov.
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