Kazan National Research Technical University

History

Kazan National Research Technical University (KNRTU-KAI) traces its origins to the Kazan Aviation Institute, founded on March 5, 1932, on the basis of Kazan State University. The institute was established with two initial divisions: aerodynamics and aircraft construction. From its inception, the institute prioritized intensive scientific research, publishing the prestigious KAI Works scientific journal starting in 1933. The institute distinguished itself through successful aircraft design programs between 1933 and 1939, developing a series of innovative single- and twin-engine aircraft. In 1939, the Department of Engine Construction was added, further expanding the institution’s capabilities. Named after renowned aircraft designer Andrei Nikolayevich Tupolev in 1973, the university evolved from a specialized aviation institute into a comprehensive technical university. In 1992, it achieved the status of State Technical University, and in 2010, it attained the prestigious designation of National Research University, adopting its present name in 2011. Today, the university stands as one of Russia’s largest technical universities with nearly 95 years of continuous operation and a legacy of advancing aerospace, engineering, and technological education.

Kazan National Research Technical University Wings
Kazan National Research Technical University
Current Position and Infrastructure

Today, Kazan National Research Technical University is recognized as one of Russia’s leading technical education centers and one of the country’s 29 National Research Universities. The institution has evolved into a modern educational and research complex combining fundamental university education with applied scientific research. KNRTU-KAI enrolls over 27,000 undergraduate and graduate students and operates 15 academic and research institutes, offering more than 160 licensed degree programs across bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. The teaching and research staff comprises approximately 1,000 faculty members, including 116 full professors and doctoral degree holders, and 500 associate professors and PhD holders. The university is housed in seven well-equipped buildings with six student dormitories and a hotel. Comprehensive campus facilities include a sports complex with five indoor sports halls, a swimming pool, and outdoor facilities for skiing and water sports. The university maintains branch institutes in four towns outside Kazan (Almetyevsk, Chistopol, Leninogorsk, and Naberezhnye Chelny) and has established remote campuses in other regions and countries. KNRTU-KAI is certified for compliance with international quality standards ISO 9001:2015 and is a member of major international associations including the Technical Universities Association, the Association of Sino-Russian Technical Universities, and the Partnership of European Aeronautics and Space Universities.

Foreign Student Opportunities

KNRTU-KAI actively welcomes international students and has extensive experience training students from numerous countries including Albania, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Romania, the USA, and various Asian and Arab nations. The university participates in major international academic exchange programs including TEMPUS, ERASMUS-MUNDUS, DAAD, British Council, and Fulbright. International candidates benefit from preparatory programs that combine Russian language instruction with foundational courses. The university offers joint master’s degree programs with leading German technical universities including Technische Universität Ilmenau and Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, where students spend three semesters in Kazan and one semester in Germany before receiving dual degrees. Additionally, KNRTU-KAI offers scholarship opportunities for master’s and doctoral level studies, and has established cooperative agreements facilitating student and faculty mobility with research institutions worldwide, providing international students with valuable cross-cultural learning and research opportunities.

Departments and Faculties
Aviation, Land Transport and Energy Institute

Established on May 31, 1999, this institute traces its roots to the university’s founding departments and maintains close connections to the institution’s historical mission in aircraft engineering and propulsion systems. The institute employs a highly qualified teaching staff of 41 professors, 36 doctors of technical sciences, 133 associate professors, and 151 candidates of technical sciences.

Departments:

  • Power Engineering and Heat Technologies
  • Heat Engineering
  • Internal Combustion Engines
  • Steam and Gas Turbine Plants and Engines
  • Welding Production Equipment and Technology
  • Technology, Equipment and Engineering Production Automation
  • Design and Technological Support of Forging and Stamping Production
  • Materials Science and New Material Technology
  • Design and Manufacture of Products from Composite Materials
  • Automotive and Tractor Construction
  • Transportation, Technological Machinery and Equipment Service
  • Automobiles and Automobile Industry
  • Aircraft Manufacturing Technology
  • Aircraft Manufacturing
  • Helicopter Technology
  • Aircraft Engines and Power Plants
  • Maintenance of Aircraft and Engines
  • Shipbuilding
Faculty of Physics and Mathematics

Established in March 2000, this faculty focuses on advanced physics education and emerging nanotechnology fields.

Departments:

  • Technical Physics
  • Nanotechnology Physics and Nanoscale Structures
  • Nanoengineering
  • Plasma Nanotechnologies
  • Laser Technique and Laser Technology
Institute of Automation and Electronic Device Engineering

One of the university’s leading departments, this institute trains specialists in automation, electrical engineering, instrument engineering, metrology, certification, energy ecology, and petrochemistry applications.

Departments:

  • Aircraft Instruments and Measuring and Computing Systems
  • Optoelectronic Devices and Systems
  • Biotechnical and Medical Devices and Systems
  • Electrical Equipment and Electrical Equipment of Institutions and Organizations
  • Electrical Equipment of Cars and Tractors
  • Aircraft Electrical Equipment
  • Environmental Protection Engineering
  • Emergency Protection
  • Instruments and Guidance, Stabilization and Navigation Systems
  • Standardization, Certification and Technology Management
  • Quality Management in Production and Technological Systems
  • Management and Computer Science in Technical Systems
  • Management in Power Supply Systems of Enterprises
Institute of Computer Technologies and Information Protection

Established in 1972 and renamed in 2015 under the leadership of Professor Yu.V. Kozhevnikov, this institute focuses on computer science, information systems, and cybersecurity.

Departments:

  • Applied Mathematics and Computer Science
  • Computer Science and Engineering
  • Information Systems and Technologies
  • Applied Informatics
  • Software Engineering
  • Information Security
  • Information Security of Telecommunication Systems
Institute of Radioelectronics and Telecommunications

Founded in 1952, this is one of the university’s leading institutes, training engineers in mobile communications, internet technologies, robotics, satellite systems, and digital economy. The institute maintains modern computer-equipped laboratories for advanced research and education. Graduates are highly sought after by research institutes, design organizations, and leading industrial enterprises domestically and internationally.

Departments:

  • Radioelectronic Information Measuring Devices
  • Methods of Sending, Receiving and Processing Radio-technical Signals
  • Radio Photon and Quantum Systems
  • Microwave Technologies and Complexes
  • Mobile Communication Systems
  • Multi-channel Telecommunication Systems
  • Optical Systems and Communication Networks
  • Design of Radio Electronic Devices
  • Design and Technology of Radio-electronic Devices
  • Nanotechnology in Electronics
Institute of Economics, Management and Social Technologies

This institute provides comprehensive educational programs in socioeconomic fields at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, integrating business education with engineering focus. More than 200 qualified instructors including professors and associate professors with expertise in economics, business, public relations, and law conduct programs. Students actively participate in international and national academic competitions.

Departments:

  • Economics
  • Economics of Businesses and Organizations
  • World Economy
  • Innovation Economy
  • Administration and Production Management
  • Project Management
  • Human Resources Management
  • Personnel Management of Industrial Enterprises
  • Advertising and Public Relations
  • Law and Civil Law
  • Trade