Tarja Halonen entitled honorable doctor of Kazan University

Extended session of academic council of Kazan federal university dedicated to awarding the distinctions to the degree of “Honourable Doctor of the Kazan University” to President of Finland Tarja Halonen was held in assembly hall of the main building of Kazan federal university. RT President Rustam Minnikhanov took part in the event.

Rector of Kazan (Volga) Federal University Ilshat Gafurov reminded that on October, 7, 2010 academic council of the university decided to award the title of “Honourable Doctor of the Kazan University” to President of Finland Tarja Halonen for great contribution into distribution and learning the Russian language, mutual enrichment of our cultures and creation of conditions for fruitful development of cooperation in scientific-educational sphere. The Kazan University itself has strong connections with Helsinki University - the oldest university of Finland, and university that is located in Turku – the oldest city in the country.

The decision of academic council continues the tradition of awarding such titles to heads of states. Among honorable members of Kazan University are Russian emperors Aleksander III, Nikolai II, King of Montenegro Nicholas I. In modern times the title of honorable doctor has been awarded to President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, President of Turkish republic Gül Abdullah.

By words of Ilshat Gafurov, Ms Tarja Halonen is conspicuous statesman and global politician.

After welcoming speech rector handed the distinctions of “Honourable Doctor of the Kazan University” to Tarja Halonen.

“Ladies and gentlemen! Let me express my thanks to Kazan university for the awarded title. Such a high recognition from the university is an honor for me personally and my country”, - Tarja Halonen thanked participants of the ceremony.

President of Finland stressed that Tatarstan and Finland are tied by peculiar historical links. At the end of XIX century many dwellers of this land headed for Northwest and part of them settled in Finland. The Tatars got used to those local living conditions well and since then have been participating in formation of Finnish society. In 1925 there was created an Islamic religious community and Finland became one of the first countries in Europe to accept official status of such association. Nowadays Tatar community is considered to be very active and respected.

Tarja Halonen told that Finnish students were sent for studying in Kazan university in XIX.

President of Finland thinks that Tatarstan is an interesting partner for Finland in the sphere of innovations and education.

We remind that President of Finland Tarja Halonen arrived in Tatarstan within the frameworks of state visit to Russia.