Young Tatarstan researchers will be trained in technopark “Sofia - Antipolis" in Cannes

Young Tatarstan experts and scientists will be trained in scientific - technological park "Sofia - Antipolis" in Cannes (France). Such an arrangement has been achieved during visit of President of Tatarstan Mintimer Shaimiev to one of the most well-known technoparks of Europe.

Technopark "Sofia - Antipolis" occupies the area of 4800 hectares and spreads out to the territories of five communes. The beauty of technopark is amazing - an untouched nature and virgin woods make 65 percent of its space. Preservation of the nature is one of the main conditions of using the territory by enterprises of technopark.

The technopark represents the whole city: Here enterprises, hotels, lyceum, educational centers are located.

The delegation of Tatarstan led by President of the republic Mintimer Shaimiev was met by the president of "Sofia - Anti-polis" Fernando Blenchi. In the beginning of a meeting he told the head of Tatarstan about becoming and development of scientific - technological park, having emphasized, that before appearance of "Sofia - Antipolis" the Azure coast of France was known only as the tourist center. 40 years ago, under the decision of company " IBM ", the research center for needs of the company here was created and in 1965 the university nearby appeared. At the end of 60th years the concept of technopark began to be developed. The first French enterprise was registered in 1974 in territory of technopark. From 1980 to 1992 number of the enterprises on territory of technopark was growing. number of the workers employed here considerably is increasing : from 3700 people in 1982 up to 14980 - in 1992. New rise in development of "Sofia - Antipolis" has began since 1996.

The president of technopark noted, that unemployment is not known here - production all time is extending.

Presently, more than 1280 enterprises have been registered in scientific - technological park "Sofia - Antipolis" where over 26,6 thousand people are working.

Fernando Blenchi emphasized, that "Sofia - Antipolis" - «city of science and reason». It is the main idea of scientific - technological park. Nowadays universities and research centers occupy 200 thousand sq. meters of general space of the technopark.

During next 10 years it is planned here to build up 600 thousand more sq.m. of the area.

RT President first of all got interested: what is direction of research activity of the technopark. Fernando Blenchi noted, that 70 percent of all researches are of applied character and 30 percent are fundamental explorations. They are financed from the state funds, or the enterprises interested in them. Mintimer Shaimiev also asked a question on how selection of trainees for technopark and research centers of "Sofia -Antipolis" is carried out. Fernando Blenchi explained, that the technopark conducts training on the basis of university education. A number of the educational programs designed for 1,5 and 2 years, in various fields are available here. Cost of such training - 7 thousand euro per a year. Plenty of citizens from other countries are trained in "Sofia - Antipolis".

During a meeting Fernando Blenchi and Mintimer Shaimiev have agreed that young Tatarstan researchers will be sent for training in the technopark. The parties also have agreed on interaction and exchange of experience.

RT President told that Tatarstan is the first in Russia has created the technopark "Idea" which uses experience of leading technoparks of Europe. Mintimer Shaimiev noted, that the republic had aligned a wide network of contacts with technoparks of such type all over the world. «We are helping each other in creating the new technologies», - he noted. Mintimer Shaimiev emphasized that experience of "Sofia - Antipolis" is very interesting for Tatarstan.

The head of republic entrusted the First Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Economy and industry Boris Pavlovu to develop proposals on cooperation between technoparks "Idea" and "Sofia - Antipolis" in the nearest future.

After visiting "Sofia - Antipolis" the delegation of Tatarstan left Cannes to Nice, whence from the international airport "Cфte d'Azur" took off for Kazan.