🇪🇬 From being passionate about history to doing a PhD in optics at ITMO, Abanoub Mikhail’s story embodies a captivating blend of intellectual curiosity, cultural immersion, and academic ambition.

Abanoub says:

As a teenager, I wanted to become a historian, but my life progressed along a different trajectory. Yet, I have not stopped excavating the depths of time for facts. Even when I am studying a concept in physics, I like to learn all about its history, the life of the person who pioneered it, and the circumstances under which these concepts were developed.

📖 Read the full interview here.

#itmofaces

How to dress for spring 🤔

It’s the middle of April, but we’re still waiting for the warmth to settle in. If you’re new to spring in Russia and St. Petersburg in particular, here’re some tips to keep in mind:

⛅️ Check the weather forecast before heading out. In addition to the temperature, pay attention to the wind speed! If you’re going to be close to water, like the Gulf of Finland or the Neva River, it can really affect your sense of warmth.

🧥 Layering is essential. If you want to put on your favorite light trench coat instead of something heavy, start with a lightweight base layer and add a mid-layer like a sweater or cardigan. The easiest way to double-check your ‘fit? Look out the window and see what passers-by are wearing.

🧣 Don’t forget to accessorize! Scarves, hats, and gloves are not just for winter: they can style your outfit and protect you on rainy and windy days.

👢 Choose footwear wisely. Sneakers or loafers can be more comfortable on warmer and dry days, while for rainy or cooler days, boots or rubber boots are a safe choice. It’s also handy to have spare socks in case your feet get wet.

☔️ Consider grabbing a lightweight umbrella or a plastic raincoat. It’s often joked that having an umbrella ensures it won’t rain, but it’s better to be prepared by having one as a protective charm.

Geeky, artsy or educational – choose what your upcoming week will be like with our top picks of activities in the city.

✍️ TruD test for foreigners
• Apr 20 | 8 am or 2 pm | Free

Learning Russian? Put your language skills to test by taking part in TruD, a test for students of Russian as a foreign language. The test includes ten exciting and informative tasks that center on the culture, history, and science of Russia.

🌠 Cosmic Weekend Festival
• Apr 21 | 8:45 PM | 350 RUB

The hip venue of Vokzal 1853 is holding a two-day Star Wars-themed festival with an eclectic lineup of events, including movie screenings, workshops, quizzes, and even cosmic talks from ITMO experts.

🧊 43 Days in the Arctic
• Apr 24 | 11 am - 10 pm | Free

Based on his firsthand experience at the North Pole, artist Ivan Aleksandrov has created a series of paintings that depict polar explorers and researchers, and most notably the beauty – and mysteries – of that harsh land.

For more activities to try this week, click here.

#weekends

Library Night 2024 🛏

On April 20, ITMO Library joins the annual event that brings together libraries all over Russia. In collaboration with Malookhtinskaya library, they’ve curated a diverse two-section program featuring lectures and workshops.

😴 NREM (non-rapid eye movement sleep)

• Art Therapy: Seven Ways to Manage Your Emotions – a lecture and workshop by psychologist Luybov Khorikova
• Mandala Workshop by amateur artist Natalia Elistratova
• Looking for a Power Place – a workshop on metaphorical cards of associations by psychologist Varvara Pinkovskaya

😴 REM (rapid eye movement sleep) — lectures by experts:

• Gadgets and Sleep: Exploring the Latest Research Findings
• Sleep as a Biological Process: Understanding the Boundaries of Normality and Pathology
• Sleep and Stress: Exploring the Relationship and Its Impact on the Body

🗓 April 20, 8 pm
📍 Lomonosova St. 9, room 1303 (coworking space)
🗣 Language of the event: Russian

✨ Sign up here ✨

Welcome to the first-ever extended news digest! More news, more updates, more fun 😎

🎓 ITMO launches two new online Master’s programs, Applied Optics and Systems Analysis and Control, enabling engineers to advance without disrupting their careers.

🔬 Physicists from ITMO and the University of Chile unveil a groundbreaking waveguide metamaterial with topological states.

🔍 At a recent expo, ITMO’s young innovators present over 40 ingenious projects, including eco-friendly e-cycles and edible packaging.

💼 Did you know that students at ITMO can get up to 70% reimbursement on academic travel expenses for conferences, internships, and more?

And now some interesting recaps from a few days ago 👇

🇨🇳 You can still secure a free spot at the upcoming Beijing summer school! Applications are accepted until April 24, 2024.

🌆 If you missed it, you can discover the hidden beauty of Brutalist architecture in St. Petersburg’s urban landscape – a fascinating blend of “grumpy” and “sci-fi.”

#newsdigest

Do you have classes on the Lomonosova campus? Lucky you!

P.S. We hope the weather will improve soon and you’ll be able enjoy all these locations up-close  ☃️

20+ Russian books for learners of any level 📚

You might consider reading primarily as a form of entertainment, but it’s actually a great means of studying! We’ve reached out to the teachers of ITMO’s Foreign Language Training Center for their reading recommendations, from renowned classics to modern fiction.

Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, we’ve got something for everyone in this article!

#russia

An exciting summer school awaits you in Romania 🇷🇴

📆 July 8-19, 2024

This summer, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University opens its doors to students looking for an academically, socially, and culturally stimulating learning experience within the following tracks:

⏺ The Crucial Role of Life Sciences in Undertaking Solutions for Human Well-Being and Environmental Sustainability
⏺ Hard Sciences Unveiled: an Interdisciplinary Tour
⏺ Finance and Risk Management
⏺ Strategic Human Resource Management

💵 Tuition fees: €400

Participants are selected by ITMO University. To apply, send the following documents to short-term@itmo.ru by May 26:

📝 CV in English indicating personal achievements
📝 Certificate of English proficiency (B2 and higher)

For more details about programs, please contact the Academic Mobility Support Office at short-term@itmo.ru

Additionally, you can participate in a competition for partial financial coverage to participate in this short-term event.

#opportunities

Navigating the vast expanse of the Hermitage Museum can seem like a formidable task 👨‍🎨

Amidst the grand chambers of the General Staff Building, a treasure trove of artistic wonders awaits the eager art aficionado.

To guide you on your exploration, we have written an essential guide about the 5 must-see paintings in Hermitage’s General Staff Building.

Read the full article here 👈

#aboutstpete

Ever wonder how education systems differ across the globe? 🌍

In this post, we’re diving into students’ perspectives on the nuances of the Russian education system versus their own 👇

🇨🇳 Huiyao Dong, China:

“In China, teachers provide you with everything that you need to learn a topic. So, the students end up memorizing it all for the exam and forgetting it after they take it. It is different in Russia. The teachers here tend to give you an outline of the concept or teach you the theory, leaving the practice up to the students. This helps the students to use their brains and learn the topic in-depth instead of simply mugging it up.”

🇦🇱 Elvis Harka, Albania:

Growing up in my country, I’ve been accustomed to a traditional education system that allows very little academic freedom. But in Russia and especially at ITMO, every student enjoys a great amount of academic freedom, which is awesome.

🇮🇳 Chirravuri Krishna Chaitanya, India:

I realized that over here, education is mostly hands-on, unlike in India. Indian education is mostly theoretical with very few practical activities. But here, students are allowed to gain more experience and build clearer concepts with the help of hands-on activities.

🇹🇷 Alperen Cihan, Turkey:

The education system is much more relaxed than in Turkey. I get a lot of free time to pursue extra curricular activities. Universities in Russia follow a more practical-oriented learning process, which is very appreciable.

Say hello to Chirravuri Krishna Chaitanya, a Bachelor’s student of computer science at Lovely Professional University (India), who is currently on exchange at ITMO.

When asked what motivates him to pursue this field, he says:

Machine learning is like a buzzword nowadays that seems very fancy and attractive, but for me, it was pure passion and interest in learning this skill.

In this interview, we learn about his experiences in St. Petersburg so far and his future plans – including potential full-time studies at ITMO 😉

Read the full interview here 👈

#itmofaces

International Summer Conference on Theoretical Physics 🔜

The ISCTP aims to provide a platform where scholars can exchange knowledge, ideas, and the latest scientific discoveries across various realms of theoretical physics.

This year, the conference is hosted by ITMO’s Faculty of Physics in collaboration with the A.A. Abrikosov International Center for Theoretical Physics.

📆 June 17-21
📍 ITMO University, Lomonosova St. 9, St. Petersburg
📌 Offline

❗️ Registration deadline: May 1
🇬🇧 Conference language: English

👉 Learn more here

#opportunities

ITMO Rector Vladimir Vasilyev suggests the establishment of a Russian-Chinese AI alliance 🤝

The initiative was supported by the Minister of Education of China, Huai Jinpeng, during his visit to St. Petersburg.

This organization will provide opportunities for cooperation between the best professionals of both countries and provide applied solutions for education, medicine, and industry through joint training and research.

Read more ✉️

#itmoinfo

All set for a mini-vacation? We have assembled some exciting activities for the weekend👇

📖 Kafka. Missing in Action
• Apr 28 | 12-8 PM | 250 RUB

Discover Franz Kafka’s surreal world at this engaging exhibition by director and artist Roman Muromtsev.

🎠 St. Petersburg Fair
• Apr 29 | 12-8 PM | Free

Handmade crafts, workshops, delicacies, and a lively DJ set – all you need for a perfect day off.

🎺 The best of jazz
• Apr 30 | 8 PM | 500-1500 RUB

Celebrate International Jazz Day on April 30 with a concert full of flair and sparkle!

📸 Timeless Classics. Traditions and Experiments in Landscape Photography
• May 1 | 11 AM - 9 PM | 200 RUB

Conclude your extended weekend with a breathtaking display of landscape photography by international artists.

Looking for more details? Read the full article here ◀️

#weekends

The May holiday schedule is here! 🏖

📝 April 27 — classes will be held according to schedule.

• ITMO Library / coworking spaces on Lomonosova and Kronverksky / quiet coworking space / ITMO.Share / ITMO.Charge will operate according to schedule.

• The Student Services Office will be open.

📚 April 29-30 – classes will held according to schedule.

• Services on the Lomonosova campus will operate according to schedule (ITMO Library / coworking space / ITMO.Share / ITMO.Charge).

• The Student Services Office will be closed.

• Services on the Kronverksky campus (coworking spaces / ITMO.Share / ITMO.Charge) will be unavailable.

❌ May 1 and 9 are holidays. The university will be closed.

📊 May 2-8 — classes will be held according to schedule; all services and offices will be available.

📖 May 10-12 — classes will be held according to schedule.

• ITMO Library / coworking spaces / quiet coworking space / ITMO.Share / ITMO.Charge will operate according to schedule.

• The Student Services Office will be closed.

via @itmolnia