He is accompanied by Vice-Rector Linar Latypov.

Other attendants are Minister of Science and Higher Education of Russia Mikhail Kotyukov and representatives of Russian educational powerhouses – Lomonosov Moscow State University, Higher School of Economics, MGIMO University, RUDN University, Tomsk State University, Skoltech, Ural Federal University, and Ural State University of Economics.

Minister Kotyukov presented Russia’s ambitions in higher education and added, “We deem it important to hold Expo 2025 in Ekaterinburg. In our vision, it must serve as a platform for long-term practical decisions with regards to today’s challenges and needs. We see human capital as a very important element of national development. In the Expo’s Smart City, everything will be done to create conditions for a sustainable and self-developing environment.”

During the Expo, should it indeed go to Ekaterinburg, an international student lab will be created to cover major science domains. Apart from that, thematic booths and pavilions will then be refurbished as educational centers for schoolchildren and higher school students, including such areas as medicine, engineering, natural sciences, and humanities.

Yesterday, Rector Gafurov met with Governor of Sverdlovsk Oblast Yevgeny Kuyvashev and Rector of Ural Federal University Victor Koksharov. Joint projects and possible collaboration linked to Expo 2025 were discussed.