Mintimer Shaimiev, ‘TSHPU must train competitive national intelligentsia’

Tatarstan President Mintimer Shaimiev took part in the session of Tatar State Humanities-Pedagogical University (TSHPU) Academic Council on April 27.

Mintimer Shaimiev got familiarized with the building of TSHPU, visited Centre of Tatar Language and Literature, Arabic Language classroom, library, and conference-hall before the session. The head of the republic was accompanied by the first deputy Prime Minister of Tatarstan Ravil Muratov, the head of RT President’s Apparatus Yuri Kamaltynov, RT Minister of Education and Science Rais Shaikhelislamov, RT Minister on Youth Affairs, Sport and Tourism Marat Bariev, Kazan Mayor Ilsur Metshin and pother officials.

Tatarstan President talked to the lecturer of Tatar Literature in the Centre of Tatar Language and Literature. He also showed interest in the potential of the university library. About 100 000 pre-revolution books are being stored in the library. Mintimer Shaimiev indicated that the project on construction of RT National Library will be realized in the nearest future; it will be integrated with many foreign libraries.

TSHPU rector Zyamil Nigmatov made a report “On realization of TSHPU conception and development program” on the session of the Academic Council. According to the rector’s words, a new mission has appeared today – “to develop innovational scientific schools, on the one hand; and, on the other hand, to preserve traditions, learn peculiarities of the region ethnic groups, bring-up patriotism not only to Russia, but also to Tatarstan”.

85 doctors of science, professors, more than 500 candidates of science and associate professors teach at the university at present, as Z. Nigmatov indicated. “The university received the status of a national university; it has to make its contribution to development of the republican economy, - he pointed out. – Research Institute of Regional Social-Economic and Legal Research has been founded for this purpose. The institute staff takes an active part in elaboration of programs on RT social-economic development, cooperates with organizations coordinating the project of International Transport Passage “North-South” and Eurasian Economic Community”.

According to TSHPU rector’s words, international collaboration in the field of education is one of the priority trends of the university. It cooperates with 12 foreign countries. 5 new agreements about collaboration with foreign colleges, including Paris-III Sorbonne Nouvelle University (France), have been signed in last a year an a half.

It’s worth mentioning that approximately 15 thousand students study at the university; undergraduate and graduate international students from China, Czechia, Mongolia, France, Israel, Latvia, South African Republic, Turkey, and Arabic countries receive higher education; 413 student from 45 RF regions and 39 student from 9 CIS countries study here.

RT Minister of Education and Science Rais Shaikhelislamov also made a report on the session and noted that TSHPU’s main mission is to preserve and develop language and cultural heritage not only of Tatars, but of all nationalities living on the territory of the republic. At the same time the university must support and render assistance to educational centres where Tatar language is taught in RF regions.

Mintimer Shaimiev summed up the results of TSHPU Academic Council session. He emphasized that the main purpose of the university is to train competitive national intelligentsia. “The fact that we managed to found our national university is a great achievement,” - Mintimer Shaimiev pointed out.