Rustam Minnikhanov: The republic faces the task of bringing the scientific and educational complex to a fundamentally new level

On November 15, opening a regular meeting of the Presidential Council for Education and Science with participation of Prime Minister of the republic Aleksey Pesoshin, heads of regional ministries and departments, representatives of the Academy of Sciences of Tatarstan, rectors of universities, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov emphasized that the republic faces an important task of bringing the scientific and educational complex to a fundamentally new level: “Russian President Vladimir Putin set a strategic goal - to ensure the achievement of real technological sovereignty”.

According to Minnikhanov, a significant place in solving the task should be given to the regions of Russia, because only by joint efforts it is possible to overcome the technological dependence of the domestic economy.

“Tatarstan has everything necessary to make a significant contribution to the common cause. The first is a powerful scientific and technological potential. Universities and scientific institutions located on the territory of the republic are represented in all key events of the national project "Science and Universities" and other technological development initiatives. Secondly, a full-fledged system for the formation of research and engineering competencies along the entire chain of continuous education, starting from school is re-established in the republic,” he continued.

He drew attention that Tatarstan has a developed infrastructure, which is potentially able to ensure the commercialization of the results of scientific research and development. It unites 2 special economic zones, 5 Priority Social and Economic Development Areas, 8 technopark structures, as well as innovation and entrepreneurship support funds. This year, another element was added to the regional innovation system - a university start-up studio, which is being created on the basis of Kazan Federal University. The new development institute is aimed at development of technological entrepreneurship skills to students and professors.

Chairman of the Council of the Association for the Promotion of Digital Development Rifkat Minnikhanov reported on the development of the Strategy and the State Programme of Scientific and Technological Development of Tatarstan. Thus, this work focuses on the foundation of on the legacy and potential of 15 key scientific schools of Tatarstan recognized at the federal and international levels. First of all, this is a school for oil and gas, agro-industrial complex, chemical technologies and others.

The head of the team of authors, director of the Centre for Advanced Economic Research of the Academy of Sciences of Tatarstan Marat Safiullin outlined the key initiatives of the programme of scientific and technological development of the republic: the development of natural science education in Tatarstan; creation of conditions for career growth and self-realization of young research personnel; popularization and promotion of science, as well as regional projects and technologies; creation of a single intellectual scientific and educational space; introduction of innovation vouchers as a tool of stimulating scientific and technological development; creating conditions for the development of the new economic sector ; supporting and stimulating inventive activities; practical transformation, restructuring and development of new directions of industry.

Minnikhanov emphasized that by the decision of Russian President the period 2022-2031 was declared the Decade of Science and Technology in Russia. «Our republic is the leader in many indicators of scientific and technological development - will take an active part in this initiative of the head of state,» Tatarstan President said.