Innovations in AIRR Regions: Digest, March 27

We review key developments in innovation, economic, and scientific progress in Russia and the regions of the Association.

AIRR at the Platform of the State Council of the Russian Federation
AIRR Director Aleksandr Smekalin presented proposals to improve government support measures for investment projects, based on regional experience. In particular, the Association analyzed the practices of applying the investment tax deduction as part of the work of the State Council Commission on the “Investments” track.

Republic of Yakutia
The Head of the Republic and Chair of the State Council Commission on Energy, Aysen Nikolaev, chaired a meeting of the Commission. Participants discussed improving the efficiency of electricity generation and strengthening the technological sovereignty of the fuel and energy sector.

Nizhny Novgorod Region
The world‑class NEIMARK IT campus received high praise. Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko and Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Volga Federal District Igor Komarov met with students, took part in a master class, and visited the federal professional education technopark Nizhpoligraf.

Republic of Tatarstan
The Alabuga Special Economic Zone is demonstrating confident growth and ranks among the leaders of the national investment attractiveness rating, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Dmitry Chernyshenko noted during his visit to the site and the Alabuga Polytech training and production center.

Tatarstan became the first region in Russia to produce an intelligent downhole camera for geologists. The device operates at temperatures of up to 105°C and transmits real‑time video via cable at 15 frames per second. This enables geologists to visually assess the condition of well walls, identify damage, and evaluate formation exposure quality. There are no analogues in Russia.

Tyumen Region, Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug–Yugra
These two AIRR regions will become pilot territories for setting up small enterprises at colleges. A meeting in Tobolsk with the participation of Minister of Education of the Russian Federation Sergey Kravtsov, Tyumen Region Governor Aleksandr Moor, and Head of Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug Ruslan Kukharuk focused on how to properly build a personnel training system through cooperation between education, business, and government.

Ulyanovsk Region
Governor Aleksey Russkikh spoke about the development of the Zavolzhye industrial park and the Ulyanovsk Priority Social and Economic Development Area, the relaunch of import‑substituting production facilities, federal support, and work with investors.

Arkhangelsk Region
Direct interaction with universities is helping to build an effective system for training highly qualified personnel in demand in the regional economy and to shape clear career paths. Governor Aleksandr Tsybulskiy met with Sergey Sokolov, rector of the Admiral Makarov State University of Maritime and Inland Shipping (the region hosts two branches of the university: the Arctic Maritime Institute and the Kotlas River College).

Tomsk Region
In his annual address, Governor Vladimir Mazur placed special emphasis on the potential of Tomsk science, highlighting projects such as the BAS Research and Production Center, the Proryv (Breakthrough) nuclear project in Seversk, the world‑class research and education center “New Special‑Purpose Materials,” and the electronics and unmanned technologies cluster established in 2025 with the support of the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Perm Krai
Scientists from Perm National Research Polytechnic University and Lomonosov Moscow State University have developed a cutting‑edge methodology for calculating methane emissions by analyzing the composition and properties of municipal waste. Accurate accounting will help properly justify investments in waste processing and assess the real environmental impact.

Researchers at Perm National Research Polytechnic University, together with colleagues from Perm State National Research University, have proposed a technology that increases the efficiency of transmitting energy as light through optical fiber by more than six times. The new solution can replace traditional copper cables used to power devices in many sectors.

Lipetsk Region
Governor Igor Artamonov announced the launch of the regional project “Personnel. IT Transformation,” which will train professionals to use AI to develop services, enterprises, and infrastructure and to enhance the region’s competitiveness.

Photo: https://ru.freepik.com/