On September 2, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov, Russia’s Deputy Minister of Education and Science Alexander Povalko, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Russia Rüdiger von Fritsch took part in solemn opening of German-Russian Institute of Advanced Technologies at Kazan National Research Technical University named after A.N. Tupolev.

The German-Russian Institute of Advanced Technologies (GRIAT) is a world-class educational project, aimed at training highly qualified engineers. The GRIAT is a new institution in the structure of Kazan National Research Technological University named after A.N. Tupolev, offering MA and post-graduate courses.

The GRIAT project is based on close collaboration between Kazan National Research Technical University and German universities, with the Ilmenau Technical University and Otto-von-Guericke-University (Magdeburg) being its first partners.

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), one of the largest and most prestigious organizations in the world, engaged in the development of international education and academic cooperation, also cooperates with the GRIAT. The Germany’s leading industrial companies will become direct partners of the Institute as well.

The GRIAT curriculum envisages training at two universities: at the Kazan National Research Technical University during the 1st, 2nd and 4th semesters and at the partner university in Germany during the third semester. As a result, graduates of the GRIAT will obtain two diplomas, one by Tupolev University and one by a German partner university.

Education at GRINT will be free for students, education in Germany will be funded by Tatarstan’s Algarysh grant programme. Education will be in English. To be admitted to the GRINT, one needs to display a good knowledge of related subjects and of English.

Speaking at the meeting of Academic and Guardian Councils of the Kazan National Research Technical University held after the solemn ceremony, Rustam Minnikhanov stressed that Tatarstan is Russia’s leading industrial region and its industries need engineering specialists.

"The opening of the GRIAT is a landmark event not only for the Kazan National Research Technical University, but for the whole country. I'm sure Competiveness of our republic will be formed here,” Minnikhanov said.

Rüdiger von Fritsch also called the opening of GRIAT an important event. "We came to Tatarstan with a large business delegation, because we have good economic relations and see great potential for their development," the Ambassador said. "In light of the present difficult political situation it is particularly important to implement projects to develop good relations," Rüdiger von Fritsch continued.

Several agreements were signed within the ceremony: to set up a joint mechanical engineering, a German language promotion centre, an engineering centre for children, as well as cooperation agreements with Tatarstan-based manufacturers.