Siberian State Medical University (SibMed) is one of the oldest and the most authoritative medical education institution in Russia. It was founded in May 16, 1878 by the decree of the Emperor Alexander II as Imperial University in Tomsk. Back at a time Imperial University in Tomsk consisted of only one faculty, namely Faculty of Medicine, and it was the only education institution in Asian part of Russia. In March 1880, a construction committee was set up. It was led by the Tomsk governor V.I. Mertsalov. The construction project was designed by the architect A.K. Bruni. It took almost eight years while the construction work was completed. The grand opening of the University took place in July 22, 1888.