The visit to the United States: step towards interaction with California
Relations between Russia and the USA continue to develop. The Republic of Tatarstan makes a significant contribution in it.
It should be reminded, in November last year Tatarstan Investment Development Agency organized a working visit of the delegation of the Republic of Tatarstan to the USA. During the visit, the President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov had a meeting with the Governor of California Jerry Brown.
As a result of the visit, on the instructions of the President, the "Road map" was developed, which is a plan of activities for developing cooperation between the Republic of Tatarstan and the State of California, as well as the working group was created, where the Head of Tatarstan Investment Development Agency Taliya Minullina is the chairman.
In order to implement the plan, on January 20 and March 15, 2017, the meetings of the working group were held in Tatarstan Investment Development Agency, where the areas of collaboration were identified jointly with the colleagues from California by video link.
California and Tatarstan: common interests of the regions
Further, on April 4 to 8, the delegation of the Republic of Tatarstan paid a working visit to the State of California in the United States of America. The delegation included the industrial leaders as the members of the working group.
During the visit, official meetings with the representatives of advanced companies and business community of the United Stated were held. An intense program was focused on the development of different areas of cooperation: strategic development of the economy, health, education, infrastructure zones development, IT sphere, venture financing.
Interaction with IT companies of the USA
Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Information and Communication of the Republic of Tatarstan Roman Shaykhutdinov and Director of the "University of Innopolis" Kirill Semenikhin visited the main IT companies of the United States of America. One of the main tasks of the visit to the USA was to establish links for mutually benefitial cooperation in the sphere of information technologies.
The key-point of the working trip of IT-group of the Tatarstani delegation was Intel corporation. The meeting was held with the leaders of the company represented by the Vice President of Software and Service group William Savage and the Vice President of Sales and Marketing Group John Galvin. The main topic of the meeting was the cooperation in the sphere of digital economy and electronic networks, including the sphere of robotics and creation of drones.
In the framework of the working visit there was a meeting with the Vice Presidents of Oracle company Luke Kowalski, Michael Bangs and Pete Stafford. During the dialogue of the parties, the prospect of the appearance of the Oracle company on the territory of Innopolis and partnership for "Digital Economy 2025" project were discussed.
Exchange of experience in the field of education
In the United States, Berkeley is known as the Scientific Center where the oldest universities and laboratories of the United States are located. Representatives of "Education and science" subgroup headed by the Deputy Prime Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Tatarstan Engel Fattakhov visited the University of California, where they have seen the campus and met its professors. Also, "Education and science" subgroup visited the Museum of science "Exploratorium" in San Francisco and such world famous higher education institutions as Standford University, FootHill College.
The parties discussed the exchange of experience, transfer of technologies, exchange of specialists in educational institutions and reciprocal internships in various areas of work.
It should be reminded that on February 8 till 14 in the frames of international cooperation with foreign educational institutions the internship for the USA secondary and higher vocational education teaching staff was held on the base of Arsk Pedagogical College. The theme of the training is "Preparing mid-level leaders for secondary and high vocational education".
The delegation included the representatives of managers of the US educational system from the states of Michigan, Illinois, California, Ohio and Tennessee studying in this university on the program of preparation of mid-level leaders: vice presidents of colleges, deans of faculties, heads of branches, tutors of programs.
The program of internships included business segment with the presentations of the members of the delegation on the following issues: cooperation of the secondary vocational educational institutions with the universities of the USA; mentorship programs in the system of vocational educational institutions; finance structure of vocational educational institutions; student loan system for high school students for entry into the US universities.
At various meetings, a comparative analysis of educational systems of Russia, the Republic of Tatarstan and the USA was conducted. While visiting educational institutions of secondary vocational education of our republic, the guests saw real progress in training of mid-level professionals. Cultural part of the internship program allowed our guests to become acquainted with the traditions of the Tatar people, to see the sights of the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan and Arsk city.
Interaction of special economic zones
Representatives of SEZ "Alabuga" headed by the Director General Timur Shagivaleev visited "St.Mary’s International School", where they described their experience in implementation of the program of international educational system on the base of «Alabuga International School». The parties agreed on further cooperation towards exchange of experience with American colleagues.
The director general of JSC "SEZ "Innopolis” Igor Nosov held a number of meetings with US companies, negotiating on the possibility of residency in special economic zone these days. In addition, meetings were held with the leadership of Stanford Graduate School of Business. The possibility of using the experience of Stanford Graduate School of Business for development of the program for creation of venture business laboratory on the territory of the Republic of Tatarstan aimed at support of the prospective projects in the sphere of high-technology.
Other meetings were held, the fruits of which the Republic will reap later.
A dialogue of doctors' practices and developments
Health care subgroup headed by the Minister of Health Adel Vafin with the participation of the Director General of OJSC “Tatchempharmpreparaty” Timur Khannanov, as well as the chief medical officers of Tatarstan met the leaders of Torrey Pines Investment to discuss joint cooperation and prospective projects. After that the delegation visited a number of educational institutions of the USA, where examined scientific laboratories and training for medical professionals.
The subgroup visited Stanford University Medical Center, got acquainted with the system of organization of medical assistance, the work of the center of neurosurgery, information systems used in the Medical Center.
Discussion was focused on opportunities for collaboration in creating and mainstreaming the information system (Big Data), as well as the prospects of realization of joint educational projects, exchange of young professionals, internship at the work place, interaction in genetic research of gene mutations.
Further, the meeting with the leadership of Stanford Cancer Institute and Integrated Cancer Center was held. The parties discussed the following interoperability plans: conducting clinical research of American chemical medications on the territory of Tatarstan Regional Clinical Cancer Center, enhancing programs for rehabilitation of oncological patients, as well as collaboration in implementation of joint educational programs, exchange of young professionals.
Further interaction in genetic research of gene mutations as predictors of emerging of such diseases as thrombophilia, myocardial infarction, strokes, female infertility were discussed at the meeting at the California University Medical Center in San Francisco.
The meeting with the representatives of the office of the Governor of the State of California Jerry Brown
On April 7, the delegation of the Republic of Tatarstan went to Sacramento city in order to meet with the representatives of the office of the Governor of the State of California Jerry Brown. The meeting was held in the form of discussion on the topics.
Thus, the Head of Tatarstan Investment Development Agency Taliya Minullina had a meeting with the Director of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development of California Panorea Avdis, where the parties exchanged their opinions on modern economic trends and also touched upon such actual topic as "Leadership of the global climate". The parties agreed that climate change presents global problems and risks for environment and economic in general, effecting people's health. The effects of climate change are already inevitable due to greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, response and redress in climate change create economic opportunities and benefits due to sustainable energy and development.
International efforts are required to achieve this goal. Now, the government of every country needs to take measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to achieve a long-term climate balance. Enterprises need to use new technologies, policy, financing mechanisms and economic incentives to reduce emissions. The governments should improve resilience of infrastructure and natural systems against growing effects of climate.
Today, the Californian authorities have introduced increased tariffs and special taxes for enterprises posing an increased threat to the environment. These rates are now the highest among the states of the United States. In addition to tax innovations, colleagues discussed investment policies and exchanged experiences in investor engagement mechanisms.
Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Tatarstan Engel Fattakhov spoke with a representative of California Department of Education Debra Brown. The importance of full cooperation among universities, colleges and international schools was stressed during the discussion.
Minister of Health Adel Vafin held a meeting with a representative of California Health Department Michelle Baass. During the conversation, the parties discussed the dynamics of development of medicine in the State of California. There was an exchange of views on provision of health services in the Republiic of Tatarstan and California.
The Director General of SEZ "Innopolis" Igor Nosov held a meeting with Chief Deputy Director of the California Department of Technology Chris Cruz.
Tatarstan was noted at a high level
Among other things, the delegation of Tatarstan met with the Consul General of the Russian Federation in San Francisco Sergey Petrov. At the meeting, the Consul noted the activity of some entities of the Russian Federation in the question of cooperation with the State of California, including the Republic of Tatarstan as the most innovative and advanced region, as well as Moscow and Tyumen Region. It is worth noting that ongoing activities are proving its effectiveness and are relevant for other states of the USA.
Successfully implemented projects show a result of work with the State of California
Nuclear medicine in Tatarstan from Accuray
In the framework of the working visit, the Head of Tatarstan Investment Agency Taliya Minullina, chief medical officer of Tatarstan Regional Clinical Cancer Center Ildar Khairullin and Minister of Health of the Republic of Tatarstan Adel Vafin met with the leadership of Accuray company. The parties summed up the results and discussed a strategy of interregional center and further steps on business relations development. At the meeting, representatives of Accuray company made a presentation of the newest equipment in the world of medical equipment.
For more than a year, the Agency has been providing assistance in the implementation of the project of Accuray company on the territory of the Republic of Tatarstan. The local partner for the establishment of a district/interregional center of nuclear medicine with the use of equipment of Accuray company based on Tatarstan Regional Clinical Cancer Center on the principles of the public private partnership is CJSC "Delrus".
The Accuray company, as one of the world leaders in radiosurgery, is developing "CyberKnife", a robotic radiosurgery system intended for tumor treatment in any place in the body with submilimetric precision.
The Agency organized several visits of the delegation of Accuray company. On October 13, 2016 the project of creation of interregional center of nuclear medicine was presented at the Presidium Session of the Investment Council, where it was approved.
In 10 years, the project will enable to cure over 14500 patients, to create the first educational center in Russia, to develop medical tourism in the Republic of Tatarstan by involving patients from all over the Russian Federation.
On May 24, 2017, the concession agreement was signed. The opening of the Accuray Center for rendering tomotherapy to the population is planned for June this year.
"Himgrad" is expanding by Advenira
Tatarstan is working actively with Advenira company, which is a portfolio company of JSC "Rusnano".
Thus, as a result of the work on the project and the visit of leadership of the company to the Republic of Tatarstan in July 2016, it was decided to place the factory for the production of protective nanoliquids for metals and alloys at the site of "Himgrad" technopolis. For this purpose, a space of 570 square meters was rented.
To date, the company completed the cycle of construction and assembling works, high-tech production line to produce nanocomposite surface protection, including 6 organic reactors, was installed. The level of commodity localization reached more than 50%. Equipment commissioning works and test run of production are maintained. The investment in the implementation of the project amounted 100 million roubles.
Mobility of city inhabitants by Uber
On February 3 this year, the international technology company Uber and the Ministry of Informatization and Communication of the Republic of Tatarstan signed an agreement of intent. The parties agreed on cooperation in the sphere of application of high technology in order to improve the mobility of the region's inhabitants.
The signing of the document was preceded by the visit of the President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov to the Uber headquarters in San Francisco. During the meeting the parties discussed that modern technologies can improve transport accessibility in the region, reduce congested roads in the future and provide an opportunity of flexible income to the local drivers.
The agreement also contains arrangements for cooperation in providing services by Uber company to the technopark "IT-park", as well as considering the possibility of localization of activities of Uber company in SEZ "Innopolis".
A final session with the President of Tatarstan
On April 8, rich three-day program in California culminated in a wrap-up meeting, held by the President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, where the leaders of sectoral groups presented reports on progress made.
As a result of the reports of the heads of the sectors, the President gave instructions for revitalization and expressed his confidence in the necessity to scale the expansion of global interregional cooperation in the framework of development of cross-national relations in trade, economic, investment, science, technology, social and educational fields.
"If Tatarstan, the leading investment region of Russia, will attract more business, increase turnover, it would have a positive impact throughout the country", - Taliya Minullina pointed out.
In summer 2017, a response visit from California colleagues is expected. To date, the Agency is in the process of preparing this visit.
For reference:
California is a state in the United States of America located on the western coast of the country onshore of the Pacific Ocean. It is bordered by the other U.S. states of Oregon, Nevada, and Arizona, as well as by the Mexican state of Baja California. California was admitted as the 31st state of the USA on September 9, 1850. Before that in different periods of time, California was ruled by Spain and Mexico.
California is the most populous state in the USA and the third most extensive by area. Sacramento is the capital of the state, Los Angeles is the most populous city. Other major cities are San Francisco, San Diego, San Jose. The state is famous by its varied climate, colorful population composition. California ranks first among USA by the volume of the gross domestic product. The most important sectors of the economy of the state are agriculture, aerospace industry, extraction and processing of oil, show-business, information technologies.
Join us in social networks! Keep track of the latest news as well as exclusive materials:
