Yugra's first "Inventing the Future" Open Lecture Hall opened with a discussion about the future of the oil industry and traditional culture
"Yugra: Energy of the Future — From Natural Resources to Meaning" was the theme of Yugra's first "Inventing the Future" Open Lecture Hall, held at the National Centre RUSSIA. Scientists, oil industry professionals and bloggers discussed what tomorrow holds for the region: oil, traditions and technology are the three pillars on which Yugra is building its future.
"The theme of the Open Lecture Hall was no coincidence. Yugra is a region where oil and gas are the foundation of life. But a discussion about the future should not be confined to production figures. We wanted to reach beyond professional circles and discuss how oil changes people and cities, and what we want the region to look like in ten or twenty years. I thank the experts and oil companies that responded to our invitation and took part in the Open Lecture Hall. Without their willingness to discuss achievements, challenges and plans, this conversation would have been incomplete," noted Anton Pilipas, Head of the National Centre RUSSIA in Yugra.
The future of the oil and gas industry was one of the main topics. Vladimir Krupitsky, Chief Specialist in the Geological Modelling Department at the autonomous institution "V. I. Shpilman Research and Analytical Centre for the Rational Use of the Subsoil", discussed digital technologies in exploration and extraction, prospects for discovering new fields and the challenges the industry will need to address in the coming years.
"It is very difficult to predict the future even three to five years ahead at the moment. But here in Yugra, there is a great deal to be done. And I am absolutely certain that we will have plenty to keep us busy here," noted Vladimir Krupitsky.
Elmir Yakupov, Head of the Analytical Section of the Quality Management Department at Samotlorneftegaz JSC, discussed how the oil industry influences not only production but also the development of Yugra's cities. He noted that oil companies help create public spaces, educational facilities and sports venues, and support initiatives to preserve the culture of indigenous peoples.
"The development of the oil industry is about more than production figures. Over the past five years, we have implemented more than 200 projects together with the Government of Yugra. These include new public spaces, educational institutions, sports facilities and initiatives to preserve the culture of indigenous peoples. All of this affects the quality of life in the region," said Elmir Yakupov.
Mostafa Salaheldin Abdelsalam Abotaleb, Associate Professor at the Engineering School of Digital Technologies at Yugra State University and Candidate of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, devoted his presentation to the technologies of the future. In his view, artificial intelligence will be used increasingly across various fields. It is therefore important not only to use new tools but also to understand how they work, verify the information obtained with their help and use technology thoughtfully.
The future of traditional culture was a separate topic. Stepan and Olesya Sopochin, founders of the "Sopochin Reindeer Herders' Camp" ethnotourism complex, explained how tourism and social media help preserve the way of life of the indigenous peoples of the North and pass knowledge on to future generations.
"To preserve traditions, we need to continue living at the camp, maintaining our customary way of life and sharing it with others. I know how to sew and embroider traditional clothing, and I want to pass these skills on to children. It is important that none of this is forgotten in the future," said Olesya Sopochina.
According to Stepan Sopochin, interest in the traditional way of life already extends far beyond Yugra, and ethnotourism could become one of the avenues for the area's further development. At the end of the event, the audience named this vision of the future of traditional culture and ethnotourism as the most interesting.
The "Inventing the Future" Open Lecture Hall is an original project by the National Centre RUSSIA that brings together experts and scientists to discuss positive scenarios for the future. It was the first time this format had been held in Yugra. The Open Lecture Hall programme also included the multimedia exposition "Yugra of the Future Is…", featuring AI-generated images, and workshops on the culture of the indigenous peoples of the North.
For news about the National Centre RUSSIA in Yugra, visit its official accounts on VKontakte, Odnoklassniki, MAX and Telegram.
The event will take place on 12 November 2026 as part of the III International Symposium "Inventing the Future" at the National Centre RUSSIA.
On 13 November, a special project — the gaming lobby "The Rink of the Future" — will be held during the International Symposium "Inventing the Future" at the National Centre RUSSIA.
The programme of the III International Symposium "Inventing the Future" will include three thematic tracks: "People and Values," "Progress," and "Culture and Art."
