Republic of Tatarstan Government Officials to Receive Colorado State University MBA Degrees

Note to Reporters: A photo of the students can be found with the news release at news.colostate.edu.

Nine high-ranking government officials from the Republic of Tatarstan in the Russian Federation will travel to Colorado this week to participate in final exams and to receive MBA degrees from Colorado State University. The students, who live in the capitol city of Kazan, participated in a unique, three-year program that combined online course delivery with live classes from College of Business faculty.

Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov selected the students from his staff, who hold cabinet level and economic development positions, to participate in the customized MBA program, which focused on public sector issues and leadership.

According to John Hoxmeier, associate dean of the College of Business, “President Minnikhanov sought a Western-accredited degree for his staff and has many Colorado connections. The hybrid MBA from Colorado State University was a good match for the students.”

President Minnikhanov met with Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper at the recent World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

In addition to participating in graduation festivities, the group will visit businesses and government agencies, including Advanced Energy, Colorado Office of Economic Development, Russian Consulate and a meeting with Gov. Hickenlooper. They also will attend a series of short courses on strategy, human relations and public policy.

The Republic of Tatarstan is a constituent republic of the Russian Federation, essentially a nation within a nation. Tatars are Russia’s largest minority of about five million people. The Russian capture of Kazan by Ivan the Terrible was a momentous event in human history, marking the beginning of the end of Turkic and the rise of Russian dominance over the northern Eurasian continent.

Graduating students are Marat Fayzrakhmanov, first deputy minister of finance; Yana Stoyanova, marketing manager of Technopolis Himgrad Industrial Park; Artur Khayrullin, chief financial officer of OJSC Svyazinvestneftekhim; Iskander Muflikhanov, aide to the president and director of the department of foreign affairs; Rinat Sabirov, aide to the president in the oil and gas sector; Ramil Gayzatullin, chief insurance officer; and Elena Zyabbarova, deputy director of finance of the City of Moscow.

-30-