Rector Ilshat Gafurov met with Head of Chuvashia Mikhail Ignatyev.

The meeting took place at the Government House in provincial capital Cheboksary on August 9th. Chuvash Republic is a part of Volga Federal District, and Kazan University is the leading educational institution in the region tasked with developing education and science here.

Mr. Ignatyev greeted the guests and thanked them for the ongoing cooperation projects. Rector Gafurov, in his turn, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to present the University's work. Ties between the scientists of two neighboring republics are traditionally strong.

The Rector noted, “Last time we met was in Moscow when you signed a cooperation agreement with Moscow University. Now KFU also has the opportunity to officially seal our interactions. We are very thankful to you for having this ability to work hand in hand in educating young talents. Chuvash Republic is a traditional “supplier” of our students – there are currently over 1,000 of them at KFU. And it's positive marker. That's why we have brought a number of proposals to expand cooperation”.

The main point of discussion was teacher education. KFU tasks itself with enhancing teachers' professionalism. There are two systems of teacher education at the University – traditional (at Yelabuga Institute) and distributed (at several institutes in Kazan). The objective is to have teachers who have the same competences as researchers.

Practice is key in this case, and Dr. Gafurov spoke about educational technologies during the preceding talks with the Minister of Education and Youth Policy of Chuvash Republic Yury Isaev and Rector of Chuvash State University Andrey Aleksandrov.

The sides discussed pedagogical education in Chuvashia in detail, and how KFU may be of help in working with students of different ages. It was also mentioned that the University will provide access to Elsevier resources for partner institutions in Chuvashia.

Another question during the meeting with Head Mikhail Ignatyev was giving Chuvash researchers access to KFU's cutting edge equipment for joint projects. In particular, healthcare specialists may train at the KFU Medical Cluster (University Clinic, Medical Simulation Center, and other facilities). Doors will be open for students, practicing doctors, and scientists alike.

Minister Isaev has high hopes for the future, «Before this day we haven't had contacts in workgroups, but this past festival in Yelabuga was very useful. By interacting personally teachers start putting forth their initiatives and borrowing each other's experience. We have worked out collaboration options and will give concrete proposals».

Mr. Ignatyev gave relevant orders to government agencies. There is mutual will to implement all negotiated aspects. Kazan University has thus become one of the strategic partners in science and education for Chuvashia.