On the occasion of Russian Science Day, Kazan National Research Technological University hosted the opening of the first hybrid laboratory, a new educational space equipped with advanced video conferencing systems, interactive screens and special sound equipment. This allows lectures, seminars, and project defenses to be conducted in a format that is equally accessible to both those present in the audience and listeners joining online from anywhere in the world.

The project was implemented with the participation of Gazprom PJSC. "I thank our strategic partner for the long-term systematic support of KNRTU educational initiatives. Only in cooperation with industrial customers will higher education today be able to train worthy engineers for the Russian industry," said Yuri Kazakov, Rector of KNRTU, opening the ceremony. He noted the significance of the event: "A hybrid laboratory of this level will be the first to expand the horizons of interaction between our teachers, students and representatives of industrial partners." At the end of his speech, Yuri M. also thanked Gazprom Recycling LLC, which has already created the company's third branded auditorium (D-219) at the Sibirsky Trakt campus, and plans to open a renovated Gazprom Recycling basic department at our university in the spring.

Ayrat Khairullin, Deputy Head of Human Resources at Gazprom Transgaz Kazan, explained the logic of the company's investments: "For Gazprom, financing this laboratory is not just charity, it is a strategic investment in our future, in our industry. Here, students will gain invaluable experience working at the cutting edge of science and manufacturing."

The Deputy Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Tatarstan, Minzaliya Zakirova, linked the appearance of such laboratories with the implementation of the state task of improving the quality of natural science education. "I think that thanks to such laboratories, we are ready to move on and implement the most ambitious plans," she said.

The ceremony culminated with the cutting of an interactive ribbon on one of the screens. After the ceremony, the guests were shown the possibilities of the audience: scenarios for video lectures, online practical classes and group work, where the teacher can join any discussion in real time.