The talks were within the framework of the All-Russia People’s Front, where both interlocutors are members.

Ms. Shmeleva visited KFU on 26 February to discuss the Front’s initiatives in education, upbringing, culture, and demography. In her speech, she noted that Tatarstan has always been one of the more advanced provinces in terms of educational startups and policies. She reminded that a local branch of the Talent and Success Foundation (more widely known under its brand name Sirius) opened doors in 2020.

Ilshat Gafurov spoke about how the University pays attention to teacher education and professional development. KFU now has three in-house secondary schools and one kindergarten, with the latter being specifically targeted at children with autism spectrum disorders. Vice-Rector Timirkhan Alishev then covered the same topic in some detail. In particular, he mentioned that 6,500 teachers enroll in advanced training courses at KFU each year. Shmeleva commended the University’s systemic approach to the matter.

Other members of the local office of the All-Russia People’s Front also made reports at the meeting. They spoke about state support measures for multi-child families, welfare and safety networks for low-income individuals, and public transit grants for schoolchildren.

Source text: Leisan Zakirova

Photos: Kseniya Bogdanova

Translation: Yury Nurmeev