Rustam Minnikhanov at the event dedicated to the Day of Russian Science: For the first time in modern history the number of scientists in Tatarstan has exceeded 14 thousand people

On 9 February the Rais (Head) of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov and the Russian Minister of Science and Education Valeriy Falkov took part in a ceremonial meeting in the Tatarstan Academy of Sciences dedicated to the Day of Russian Science.

Prior to the meeting Rustam Minnikhanov, Valeriy Falkov and other guests got acquainted with a number of scientific projects of the branches of the Academy, looked round an exposition dedicated to the Day of Russian Science and the Year of Scientific and Technological Development in Tatarstan.

The President of the Tatarstan Academy Rifkat Minnikhanov used the chance to introduce newly appointed Vice-Presidents of the Academy to the guests and academics.

Welcoming participants of the meeting, Rustam Minnikhanov reminded that Tatarstan Academy of Sciences is the responsible center for implementation of regional scientific and technical policy. “Its role in development of humanitarian sciences, preservation of the unique identity and rich cultural and historical treasures of the multi-ethnic people of Tatarstan is also important,” he said.

Having said that the republic always attaches special attention to work and professional holiday of scientists, he reminded about the Russian Academy of Sciences which celebrated its 300th birthday on 8 February and added that he also joins to numerous congratulations to the Academy and wishes its team new outstanding achievements for the good of the Motherland.

Rustam Minnikhanov stated that the scientific community of Tatarstan has all reasons to be proud of its achievements. “Five universities of the republic are participants of the Strategic Academic Leadership Programme and there are six advanced engineering schools and one of the world level research centers in oil production. Just recently a world class university campus of the High Oil School was opened with participation of President Vladimir Putin. The oil production company has invested more than 26bn rubles of its money into creation of this campus.  Tatarstan occupies leading positions among Russian regions in the total number of winners of the federal Startup competition and ranks second after Moscow in the national ranking of scientific and technological developments of regions,” he said.

Having told about work done for improvement of living and study conditions of the faculty and students of regional Universities, the Rais of Tatarstan also informed about work of university startup studios “as 442 winners of the Students Startup competitions are capable of ensuring complete load of studios for years ahead.”

Rustam Minnikhanov also said: “I would like to thank companies – industrial partners for actions taken for deepening cooperation with educational and scientific institutions,” and informed that for the first time in modern history the number of scientists in Tatarstan has exceeded 14 thousand people and yearly amounts of internal enternal on research and development approached 30bn rubles.

“Today we have heads and employees of foreign General Consulates with us in this room. Together we successfully neutralize efforts of destructive forces to isolate Russia and its regions in the global scientific and educations space. I would like to emphasize that reformatting of international educational and scientific and technical ties of the republic will continue. Strategic turn from the West to the East is inevitable,” he said.

In conclusion he wished everyone success, energy and brave and special solutions and declared the Year of Scientific and Technological Development of the republic open.

Then Rustam Minnikhanbov and Valeriy Falkov handed in a number of Russian and Tatarstan awards to representatives of the scientific community of the republic for their achievements in scientific and technological development.