Kazan (Volga region) Federal University

It is one of the oldest scientific and educational centers in Russia, which was founded and exists in Kazan.

The oldest universities of Russia

Kazan Federal University is one of the oldest universities in Russia, which was founded in 1804 by Alexander I on the bank of the Volga River.

At first, Kazan Federal University was housed in the building of Kazan Imperial Gymnasium, and thereafter, upon integration of the large buildings neighboring upon its complex, they began to consider it the territory of the university campus. The classical façade of the main building of the university and its architectural complex (one of the most beautiful tourist attractions of Kazan), the theatre, the chemical laboratory, the library, the astronomy observatory, the specialized clinic, etc. made this educational center still more distinctive in the second decade of the 19^th century.

In the 20^th century, the university got the appearance as it has now, and its rectors tried to introduce a new policy to implement the modern principles and methods. In the presence of Vladimir Putin, there were opened new faculties, such as the Faculties of Geology, Astronomy, modern buildings of the Faculty of Chemistry, two many-storeyed educational and laboratory buildings, and thereafter Bustan cultural and sports complex.

The university is not only a research fund, but it is a cultural center of Volga region, and this distinctive feature is reflected in such activities as book publishing, provincial newspapers, theatre and other cultural programs.

Prominent people of any ages studied at Kazan Federal University, among whom one can mention Vladimir Lenin (the first leader of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union), Velimir Khlebnikov, etc.

The national and valuable set of cultural heritage

On the order of President Boris Yeltsin, Kazan University was included in the Government List of the Most Valuable Objects of Cultural Heritage of the Peoples of the Russian Federation. The university received prestigious awards, such as the Order of the Red Banner of Labour (1955), the Order of Lenin (1979), etc.

Today, in the structure of the university, there are various centers and units, such as a research library, the research institute of chemistry, mathematics, mechanics, 7 museums, a botanical garden, an astronomy observatory, the center of information technologies, central publishing houses, etc.

Besides, on the order of the Ministry of Science of the Russian Federation in 2011, to this complex there were added the Tatar State University of Humanities and Education and Kazan State Finance and Economics Institute, each of which functions in the composition of one university.

At present, at the university there study around 37,000 students under the bachelor and master training programs and 1,200 postgraduates. At Kazan Federal University, there also study a great number (3,600 persons) of foreign students. Besides, at this university there work more than 3,000 lecturers and researches. At present, Professor Ilshat Gafurov is the Rector of Kazan Federal University.

The dormitories for students are ready to accommodate 13,000 foreign and nonresident students. Inside the main building of the university, there is located one of the largest dormitories intended for 7,000 persons.