Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) held a ceremony on the 13th at 10:30 a.m. to mark its 78th anniversary, presenting various awards to faculty, students, alumni, and local community figures who have contributed to the university's development. In particular, the event also included a conferment ceremony for President Yang O-bong, who recently received an honorary doctorate from the Ministry of Education of Tajikistan and Tajik State Pedagogical University, adding special significance to the occasion.

The commemorative event began with the screening of a promotional video reflecting on the 78th anniversary, followed by a presentation on the university's achievements and future vision by Guk Gyeong-su, Vice-President of the Office of Planning. Awards were then presented for long-term service, the Future Talent Award, the Outstanding Department Award, the Proud Alumni Award, and other honors recognizing members of the university and contributors to its development.

A total of 153 people received long-service awards, with Jo Nam-hae, who has 40 years of service, accepting the award on behalf of the group. The Grand Prize in the faculty category of the Future Talent Award went to Park Chan-hee, Professor, College of Engineering, Division of Mechanical Design Engineering. The Teaching Assistant Excellence Award in Academic Advising was presented to Kwon Hyuk-bin, Teaching Assistant, Division of Language Education. The Student Cultural Talent Grand Prize was awarded to Kim Se-won, student, College of Engineering, Division of Computer Science and Engineering.

The Staff Future Talent Award was jointly presented to the Facilities Division's Facilities Team 2 and the Division of General Affairs' Legal Audit Team. The Development Support Team of the Division of University Development and staff members Kim Seon-woong (Division of Academic Support) and Sim Yang-un (Office of Academic Affairs) received Gold Awards. The newly established Inspiring Administration Award went to Son Eun-jung (Division of University Development). The Cheongbaekri Award, recognizing contributions to integrity, was awarded to Song Jin (Division of Finance). The Outstanding Department Award was given to the College of Engineering, Division of Mechanical Design Engineering, while the Research Promotion Division of the Office of Research and the Office of Academic Affairs received the top awards in performance management and financial operations, respectively.

The Proud Alumni Award was presented to Kim Yun-deok, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, in recognition of his contributions to enhancing JBNU's reputation. The Merit Award went to Lee Jeong-kwon, Chairman of DH Group, and the JBNU Supporters' House Award was presented to Jin Gun-ho, CEO of Jeonsegye Souvenir Town.

The honorary doctorate conferment ceremony for President Yang O-bong held on the same day formally recognized the university's international cooperation achievements. President Yang received the honorary doctorate in recognition of his role in establishing the JBNU–Tajik State Pedagogical University International Center and the JBNU Korean Language Center during a recent visit to Tajikistan, and for building an academic and cultural exchange framework.

JBNU and Tajik State Pedagogical University have maintained academic exchange cooperation since 2015, producing 25 exchange students to date. With the opening of the international center, the two universities plan to operate an exchange program involving more than 20 students annually from 2026. They have also achieved the establishment of a Central Asia cooperation hub through the joint operation of Korean studies and Korean language education and the promotion of joint degree programs.

The Ministry of Education of Tajikistan explained the rationale for the honorary doctorate conferment, stating that JBNU has contributed to expanding higher education cooperation in Central Asia and has set a milestone for Korea–Tajikistan educational and cultural exchanges.

President Yang expressed deep gratitude and congratulations to the members who have quietly devoted themselves to the university's development and to the faculty, students, and alumni honored at the ceremony, saying, "Your passion and sense of mission are the driving force behind JBNU's growth."

He added, "The Glocal University project, the establishment of a joint semiconductor research center, and our designation as the national lead university for Physical AI are outcomes that demonstrate our university's advancement to compete beyond the region and on the global stage. Through AI-based educational innovation, strengthening research competitiveness, and attracting the 'Create 10 SNU-level Departments' initiative, we will surely create a new history toward our 100th anniversary."