Rustam Minnikhanov: exchange of students, teachers and expansion of contacts is an important part of cooperation with USA universities

President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov met with delegation of New York state (USA) in House of RT Government.

RT Minister of industry and trade Ravil Zaripov, Minister of culture Airat Sibagatullin, rector of Kazan federal university Ilshat Gafurov, Deputy chairman of RT State Council Rimma Ratnikova attended the meeting.

Rustam Minnikhanov welcomed guests and wished them to enjoy staying in Kazan. He told briefly about social and economic situation in republic, main economic sectors, and priority areas of development. He reminded that by results of 2010 sales volume of Tatarstan and USA has made 225 mln. dollars. More than 40 enterprises with participation of American investors are functioning in Tatarstan. “We have gained experience of interaction with USA companies. We cooperate with such global companies as IBM, Microsoft, Hewlett Packard and audit companies Ernst&Yang, PricewaterhouseCoopers”, - Rustam Minnikhanov said.

Rustam Minnikhanov told as well about visit of Tatarstan delegation to USA and Silicon Valley in 2010. By his words, republic has partners and plans for development in Silicon Valley especially in the sphere of venture investment.

One more area that makes interest for Tatarstan is education, RT President said. Much attention is now paid to reformation of higher school. Rustam Minnikhanov told guests about realization of “Algarysh” program and cooperation with several European and American universities. In his opinion higher education in USA is of applied nature and is especially actual in the sphere of business establishment and development, and commercialization of scientific ideas.

Rustam Minnikhanov called exchange of students, higher-education teaching personnel and expansion of contacts among students and postgraduates an important part of cooperation with USA universities.

President of Tatarstan briefly told guests about sport achievements of republic and reminded of international events that will be held in the nearest future in Kazan – summer Universiade 2013, Championship in water sports 2015, matches of World football championship 2018. “We are interested in USA experience in sports development and promotion of healthy way of life in public”, - he said.

An official of New York state Assembly Alec-Brook Krasny thanked Rustam Minnikhanov for hospitality. He informed that delegation of New York state had time to see Kazan city, visited the Mosque and Orthodox church in Kazan Kremlin and IT-park where they appreciated the site for developing high technologies.

Officials of New York state delegation unanimously supported the idea of continuing cooperation with Tatarstan Republic in such sphere as investments in economy, promotion of energy-efficient technologies, modern technologies of waste processing, water purification, implementation of nano-technologies, development of cooperation in educational sector including mutually beneficial scientific exchange of students and teaching staff of higher educational institutions.

An official of New York state Assembly, member of Albany city council (capital of New York state) Anton Konev invited Rustam Minnikhanov to visit New York state on behalf of Albany city. By his words, close relations are established between regions and countries due to such visits.