Ufa State Aviation Technical University (USATU) is the largest higher education institution in Ufa and the Republic of Bashkortostan, and one of the oldest universities in the region. The integration of science, production and education is one of the conditions for developing the university. USATU has established the Centre of Education, Research and Innovation (CERI) to set up close relations between all participants of innovative research. The university is developing international contacts and takes part in a number of international educational and scientific programmes. Joint educational programmes are supported by Russian and international grants and promote the development of creative collaboration with participating universities. In 2007, the USATU was the winner of innovative educational programmes in the republic among higher educational institutions held by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation.