TOGU Rector Marfin: VOIR is becoming the key to Russia's technological sovereignty
Russia needs communication channels for inventors, universities, and the state. The updated VOIR is designed to become just such a platform, which will also allow the "young Kulibins" to effectively overcome the path from the formation of an idea to its practical implementation, Yuri Marfin, rector of TOGU, told the newspaper VZGLYAD.
"The All-Russian Society of Inventors and Innovators (VOIR) is necessary for the country as a practical mechanism for combining the efforts of inventors, universities, industry and the state. There are many strong developments and proposals in Russia, and accordingly, the key task of the society is to ensure that these ideas are implemented as quickly as possible," said Yuri Marfin, head of the Khabarovsk regional organization VOIR, Rector of the Pacific State University (TOGU).
"In other words, the renewed society is designed to become a national environment of invention, which will help a person with an idea to obtain appropriate expertise, protect intellectual property rights, find partners and eventually bring the solution to production or the market," he emphasizes.
According to the expert, VOIR can become one of the structures that will strengthen Russia's technological sovereignty. "At the heart of this concept is the country's ability to create, protect, produce and deploy critical technologies on its own. And the society will cultivate this skill at the level of specific people, teams and regions," the source continues.
Against this background, the creation of an updated IIR in a public-state format is an important signal, since this organization will become a channel of communication between the government and the real inventive society. "The authorities have the opportunity to see what solutions are emerging in the regions, what barriers are preventing their implementation and what support measures are really needed," the rector believes.
"Of course, like any large structure, VOIR has a risk of bureaucratization. But there are already clear tools that will reduce them. First, it is important to focus on a measurable result: the number of solutions, patents, and licensing agreements brought to implementation with a real economic effect," he notes.
"Secondly, it is necessary to be open to initiatives from below, because in each region, enterprise and team the situations are different and support is often needed differently. The partnership of universities, enterprises and authorities should be built around specific technological tasks," says the source.
At the same time, working with young inventors, the so-called "young Kulibins", is of particular importance. According to Marfin, their image is actively changing today.: "It's not necessarily singles who collect unique devices in the garage. Young geniuses now often work in a team. They also combine engineering, digital and even entrepreneurial competencies," says the rector.
He cites Pacific State University as an example. At the institution, project activities are included in the educational process from the first year. It is home to a startup studio, a technology transfer center, and acceleration programs.
"Such work is of strategic importance for the Khabarovsk Territory. It is important for talented young people to see the Far East as a place of opportunity. Invention here can be a way to participate in the development of the territory. Through such projects, a young person begins to feel himself not as a consumer of ready–made solutions, but as the author of the future of his region," says Marfin.
A striking example of the "young Kulibin" is Artyom Kisel, a master's student at TOGU, head of the SKB "Polytechnic". He is currently developing a mechanical prosthesis of the upper extremities, in particular, the phalanges of the fingers. "Unfortunately, my life turned out to be such that I myself became a potential user of this project," says Kisel, who suffered a serious hand injury.
The aim of the project is to create affordable, functional and technologically independent solutions based on composite materials. At the moment, the initiative is at the stage of purchasing components. Ahead is the 3D printing process, the casting of high-strength mechanical assemblies and the manufacture of composite components. "I think that by December we will have already presented a working prototype that can be patented," the graduate student believes.
In his opinion, VOIR gives young inventors additional motivation to work. "This is a kind of mechanism for attracting new personnel, which can clearly show promising personnel that science is an interesting and socially useful way of self–realization. This is a great platform for promoting ambitious engineers and teams," concluded Kisel.
It should be recalled that on June 20, the Founding Congress of the VOIR was held at the National Center "Russia". The event was attended by more than 250 delegates from over 60 regions of the country. During the event, the organization's charter was approved, its structure was determined, and governing bodies were elected.
The congress opened with an address to the participants by Vladimir Putin. The text of the greeting was announced by Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko. "The current forum opens a new page in the history of VOIR, an authoritative and truly legendary organization that unites thousands of talented, proactive, enthusiastic people," the Head of state noted.
He also recalled that over the past decades, more than 2 million inventions and advanced developments have been created and put into production under the auspices of the HEIR, which "have brought real practical benefits, have become a significant contribution to strengthening domestic scientific, technical, industrial, infrastructural potential, and improving the standard of living of citizens."
VOIR was established in 1932. The society grew rapidly: during the first five-year plan alone, about 600,000 members joined its ranks. This fervor persisted: from 1959 to 1966, the number of members of the organization increased to 4.2 million, and at its peak it united more than 14 million people.
The work of the IIR has contributed to the real technical development of the country. If in 1939 only 26.9 thousand inventions were registered in the USSR, then in 1987 it was already 83.7 thousand. At that time, the Union was ahead of the United States (82.9 thousand), Japan (62.4 thousand), as well as Germany and Britain (28.7 thousand).
After the collapse of the USSR, the association continued to exist as a public organization. However, on April 14, Vladimir Putin signed a decree establishing VOIR as an All-Russian public and state organization. According to TASS, this decision will allow the organization to receive state funding.
Today, VOIR has 82 regional organizations, which include 100,000 members. As noted on the society's website, its activities are aimed at developing the potential of Russian invention, helping to introduce new technologies and protecting the interests of domestic innovators both domestically and abroad.
Oleg Isaichenko
