What’s new at ITMO this week? From humor in science to robotic design, here’s your quick update:

😂 Humor isn’t just for fun – it can be a learning tool, too! Andrey Sebrant and Yakov Somov explore how comedy can make science more engaging.

🤖 ITMO PhD students trained the popular chess algorithm MCTS to design robots in hours instead of weeks. Their findings were shared at the IROS conference.

🏆 ITMO won the Digital TOP award in education for its Applied Digital Chemistry Lab, where students create IT tools for medical and electronic advancements.

And now for a recap of useful posts from this week:

📑 Need help with academic writing? ITMO’s Academic Writing Lab offers free consultations on research papers, CVs, grant applications, and more – in both English and Russian!

🏡 Curious about ITMO dorms? Take a video tour of the Vyazemsky Lane dorm, located in the heart of St. Petersburg, and see why it’s a favorite among international students!

#newsdigest

Study at ITMO for free! 🆓

Enroll in Bachelor’s or Master’s programs tuition-free through the Russian Government scholarship via Rossotrudnichestvo.

❗️ Application deadline: January 15, 2025

Submit your application through the online platform Education in Russia. For details, contact your local Russian Embassy, Russian House, or call the Rossotrudnichestvo hotline: +7 (985) 870-21-27.

For more info, click here 👈

#opportunities

What do international students miss the most in Russia? Spicy food 🌶

Forget the weather, the paperwork, or the language – this is perhaps the most common challenge students share about studying in Russia.

And though Russian cuisine might not be that spicy, St. Petersburg is a foodie’s paradise! Check out our article to discover local spots that’ll satisfy your thirst for high-Scoville treats.

#stp

Unity Day schedule 📆

We would like to remind you that November 4 is Unity Day, a public holiday in Russia!

📌 November 3 (Sunday) and November 4 (Monday) are days off for ITMO students.

📌 November 2 (Saturday) is a work day. Classes are held according to the Saturday schedule for an even week.

From a small village in Iran to the cutting-edge labs of ITMO! 🇮🇷

Meet Raman Khan Ahmadi, an international student pursuing his passion for software engineering, neurotechnologies, and AI at ITMO. On what motivated him to pursue this field, Raman says:

Since childhood, I have loved working with software and really enjoy creating new apps. I think studying in this program will lead me to develop important skills that will help me achieve greater success in my future career.

In our latest Student Spotlight, Raman talks about his journey so far and the power of professional networking for success. Read on to catch it all 👈

#itmofaces

November is almost here! 🕷

Don’t let the chill get you down. Plenty of Halloween-themed events and more await this week:

📻 Polytechnic Museum: Building the Present
• Oct 31 | 12 - 9 PM | 250 RUB

The Polytechnic Museum and Manege present an exhibition on Russia’s scientific and engineering feats, featuring multimedia displays and scientists’ workspaces.

🧛 Dracula (1931)
• Nov 1 | 4:50 PM | 390 - 500 RUB

Celebrate the Halloween spirit with a classic horror! This Friday, catch Dracula (1931) on the big screen – Universal Pictures’ iconic vampire film that started it all.

🎼 Wonder of the World
• Nov 2 | 7 - 10 PM | Free

Join locals and tourists at the Peter and Paul Fortress for a multimedia show that blends folk tunes with AI-driven electronic music.

🏸 Badminton Festival
• Nov 3 | 12 - 10 PM | Free

The Badminton Festival at Sevkabel Port offers two days of badminton fun with workshops, tournaments, themed quizzes, and matches.

For more fun events, read our full guide on ITMO.NEWS 👈

#events