Innovations in the AIRR Regions: Digest, July 27

Key trends of the week in innovation, industry, and regional development in the AIRR.

Legend of the auto industry
In the Samara Region, AVTOVAZ marked its 60th anniversary and launched serial production of the updated LADA NIVA Legend SUV. The new model features a more powerful engine and modern safety and comfort systems.

Mega-science
In the Novosibirsk Region, construction of the CKP “SKIF” mega-science complex has been completed, comprising 34 buildings with a total area of about 87,000 sq. meters. The next stage is commissioning scientific equipment and starting research. SKIF will become a world-class infrastructure for research ranging from materials science to pharmacology.

In the Kaluga Region, the science city of Obninsk celebrates its 70th anniversary. Today, 39 organizations of the scientific and industrial complex operate there, and the “Obninsk Tech” project is forming the foundation for an international scientific and educational center for nuclear and related fields.

Overcoming gravity
In the Irkutsk Region, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the Irkutsk Aviation Plant, a branch of PJSC “Yakovlev.” The plant is assembling serial import-substituted MS-21-310 aircraft: 18 aircraft are at various stages of readiness. The head of state was also presented with a prototype of the upgraded Yak-130M.

Test cosmonaut Sergey Mikaev has returned to Earth. He is the fifth cosmonaut in the history of the Irkutsk Region. During an eight-month expedition to the ISS, the crew carried out an extensive scientific program, and Sergey Mikaev performed a spacewalk. For the region, this is not only a source of pride but also an example for the new generation of engineers and researchers.

Technological business
In the Nizhny Novgorod Region, the Stark technopark will receive 200 million rubles to modernize its infrastructure and add equipment. Federal support will help attract new small and medium-sized businesses, accelerate the launch of promising production facilities, and create jobs.

In the Perm Krai, ODK-STAR is expanding its production capacity. Three new buildings are under construction for testing and manufacturing electronic and hydromechanical units for aircraft and helicopter engines. The company remains Russia’s sole developer and manufacturer of automatic control systems for aircraft and gas turbine engines.

Workforce for the economy’s needs
In the Tyumen Region, three new “Professionalitet” clusters—construction, agriculture, and chemicals—will open in autumn. Educational programs are developed jointly with employers, and enterprises participate in updating workshops and training students for real production tasks.

In the Tomsk Region, 90 students won the “Student Startup” competition and will each receive 1 million rubles to develop technological projects. Areas include digital technologies, medicine, new materials, instrument engineering, biotechnology, and resource-saving energy.

In the Arkhangelsk Region, 12 young innovators received grants of 1 million rubles each under the “Student Startup” competition. Among the projects is a multifunctional belt-constructor for doctors and paramedics of emergency medical services, developed by a student of the Northern State Medical University based on her own experience working at an emergency station.

Photo: https://ru.freepik.com/