Rustam Minnikhanov: We should focus on educating new generation able to ensure rapid economic growth of the region and country

On August 15, at a plenary session of regional August meeting of educational and scientific workers “Tatarstan: education of innovative region” that was held in Bogatye Saby village (Sabinsky region, Tatarstan), Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov said that the republic is actively adopting best Russian and international practices in modernization of education. However, it is not enough, we should work proactively, he added.

By and large, 2.5 thousand educational workers took part in the meeting, subject sessions and roundtables. The exhibition “Information technologies in education” aimed at showing opportunities of efficient integration of modern information and communication technologies in education was organized for participants of the event.

Opening the session, Rustam Minnikhanov said that Bogatye Saby was chosen for discussing innovative development of education because innovative programmes are efficiently implemented here.

According to Tatarstan President, in general, there is a positive dynamics observed in the sphere of education today. Material and technical base of educational institutions has improved, a priority national project “Education” is being implemented, funds for developing the Strategy of educational development “Kilechek” (“Future”) were allocated. Also, the state programme “Development of education and science in 2014 – 2020” was approved.

“The topic of today’s plenary session “Tatarstan: education of innovative region” is closely connected with realization of strategic course of Tatarstan development, increase of competitiveness and living standards,” Rustam Minnikhanov continued. He noted that Tatarstan is one of rapidly developing innovative regions in Russia, a member of the Association of innovative regions of Russia.

Speaking about economic development of the republic, Rustam Minnikhanov said that a considerable inflow of investments in the republic was provided, in 2013 the increase in investments made 45 per cent as compared to 2009. The President told that Himgrad technopolis, five industrial parks, nine technoparks, and eight business incubators, and two IT parks in Kazan and Naberezhnye Chelny are successfully working in Tatarstan. Moreover, 27 municipal industrial sites have being established within the last few years.

Major investment projects are being realised at OAO TANECO, TAIF-NK, Nizhnekamskneftekhim, Ford Sollers, KAMAZ, ICL-KPO VS. The number of residents in Special Economic Zone “Alabuga” increased by five times, the amount of stated investments – by seven times.

Summing up, Rustam Minnikhanov said that today we should focus on educating new generation able to ensure rapid economic growth of the region and country, use modern technologies, and attract best specialists.