From Idea to Implementation: An Intensive Course on Unmanned Systems Development Has Launched at KBSU

Since December 22, a large-scale event—the All-Russian Educational Intensive Course «Startups in Unmanned Aircraft Systems: From Hypothesis to Implementation»—has been taking place at the «Boiling Point» venue at Kabardino-Balkarian State University named after Kh.M. Berbekov.

Participants from across the country have joined the intensive course, both in person and online. Among them are representatives from the Ulyanovsk Region, Mordovia, Tatarstan, Samara, and Moscow. Particular attention is given to the university’s research teams and participants in the «Priority 2030» program, who already have work in medical technology and other strategic areas.

Over the course of four days, 18 leading experts, including representatives of the National Technology Initiative (NTI) in the field of new production technologies and unmanned aircraft systems projects in education, will share their experiences in implementing business projects. The goal is to help university students and faculty passionate about UAS development develop entrepreneurial thinking and take their ideas to the next level.

The event organizer, Tanzilya Makhieva, vice-rector for Advanced Projects at KBSU, emphasized that one of the key objectives of the intensive course is preparing projects for attracting investment. This applies to both funding from startup studios and external sources, including the NTI Foundation and the Foundation for Assistance to Small Innovators.

«The intensive course at KBSU is more than just a series of lectures; it’s a true forge for future innovators. Here, students and faculty gain not only theoretical knowledge but also the practical skills necessary to transform bold ideas into successful business projects. The atmosphere of collaboration and experience exchange that reigns at the Boiling Point venue fosters the generation of new ideas and the search for innovative solutions. Participants have the opportunity to directly communicate with experts, ask questions, and receive valuable advice that will help them avoid common mistakes on the path to creating their own startup,» notes Tanzilya Makhieva. The best projects will be presented to the University Startup Studios Investment Committee, which decides on project support within the framework of the federal project «Technological Entrepreneurship Platform.»

Mikhail Boyarkin, CEO of Region-13 MK, a specialized industrial cluster organization in the Republic of Mordovia and an NTI expert, shared the successful experience of his region’s startup studio. He noted that many student and faculty projects have already expanded beyond Mordovia and are successfully developing in the Russian market. Boyarkin encouraged the intensive participants to actively promote their unique developments and not be afraid to seek out opportunities to attract funding, emphasizing that in a rapidly changing world where competition is growing daily, the ability to quickly adapt and find new development paths is the key to success.

Kabardino-Balkarian State University named after Kh.M. Berbekov presented two projects to the Investment Committee that have already received support under the Priority 2030 program.

Zaira Kharaeva, doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, and Head of the Department of Microbiology, Virology, and Immunology at the Medical Academy, presented an innovative self-absorbing multilayer biofilm that can replace traditional bandages and plasters by self-adhering to a wound, reducing inflammation, stopping bleeding, and fighting bacteria. This breakthrough invention is based on lactobacilli, which are highly effective and resilient.

The development, proposed by Amiran Zanilov, PhD in Agricultural Sciences and Head of the Center for Decarbonization of the Agro-Industrial Complex and Regional Economy at Kabardino-Balkarian State University, will reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers and pesticides, as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This innovative development envisages the development of organic farming using scientific approaches, specifically the development and application of a bio-organo-mineral complex and biomodification technologies. Particular attention is paid to the use of unique microorganisms from local black soils to create next-generation fertilizers. Furthermore, the project includes the development of a specialized device for recording and modeling carbon dioxide flows in the soil-plant-atmosphere system, which is critical for decarbonization.

Experts from the National Technology Initiative (NTI) expressed great interest in both projects. They praised the potential of these innovative developments and expressed their willingness to discuss details with their authors.

Starting December 23, student teams from KBSU who have developed original projects in the field of technological entrepreneurship will join the educational intensive course. Faculty, representatives of research laboratories, and staff of the Center for Technological Development will also participate.

The main part of the course of educational program will last three days. The results will be announced on December 25.

The investment committee of the university startup studios will select the most promising developments. Following this, the possibility of formalizing business hypotheses will be considered, meaning the most promising developments will be transformed into commercially successful projects.

The educational intensive course «BAS Startups: From Hypothesis to Implementation» at KBSU is designed to serve as a catalyst for the emergence of new startups capable of solving pressing problems and contributing to the country’s technological development.

The event will be moderated by Indira Guzeeva, head of the Kabardino-Balkarian Representative Office of the Federation of Restaurateurs and Hoteliers and member of the All-Russian public organization «Business Russia.»