We are back with another extended weekly digest – we really don’t want you to miss any updates or opportunities 😉

📅 ITMO will host a two-week intensive study camp in industrial software development from June 24 to July 6, featuring expert lectures, cool tasks, and certificate rewards; applications are open until May 1.

🔍 At IT_Conf 3.0, insights into the future of the IT sector, the role of AI in business, and more were shared by experts from SberMarket, Yandex, VK, and more.

🌟 The ITMO.STARS contest offers talented students the chance to enroll in Bachelor’s programs for free – even with minimal exam scores.

🏡 Ingenuity + efficiency = our favorite Russian household life hacks!

And now, a special recap from last week 🛎

🌌 The International Summer Conference on Theoretical Physics, hosted by ITMO’s Faculty of Physics and A.A. Abrikosov International Center, is coming soon. Find out more here.

📚 ITMO’s Foreign Language Training Center suggests 20+ Russian books for learners of any level, from the classics to modern fiction, for effective study through reading.

#newsdigest

What kind of student are you? 🤓

If you can’t answer off the top of your head, let chance decide! Take a look at the picture and share your combination in the comments below 👇

Need your dose of vitamin D? On a sunny day, venture into the lesser-known districts of St. Petersburg ☀️

Pick an area that speaks to you and don’t forget to follow our guides:

🥤 Kolomna
Quiet, quaint, and crisscrossed by canals, the area is sometimes called the “Soho of St. Petersburg.” Come here to step back in time, walk over each of its countless bridges, and partake in the cultural program of the city’s most popular public spaces.

🚂 Obvodny Canal
The former industrial hub is also the backdrop to the city’s spookiest legends. Among this gloom, however, you’ll discover unique locations like the Russian Railway Museum, the biggest foodmall in Europe VOKZAL 1853, and ruins of the Red Triangle factory.

⛵️ Petrovsky Island
The island-based district is a prospective venue for the luxurious real estate – but what you can enjoy here today is a 1,200 sq.m. skate park and mesmerizing seaside views in the company of yachts and sailboats.

🏛 Peski
Step off Nevsky Prospect to escape from the city’s bustle and treat yourself to some coffee and the city’s best cheesecake. On the architectural agenda are: cathedrals large and small, and a variety of old-timey revenue houses alongside modern blocks.

🌊 Primorskaya
If you love Vasilievsky Island, you’ll love exploring its northwest side near the Primorskaya metro station. It might get windy, but its views of the seaside, hidden harbors, and gems of Brutalist architecture make it a must-visit.

🌳 Narvskaya Zastava
Despite its industrial roots, the locality charms its visitors with prominent Constructivist architecture and tranquil garden-city ambiance. A centerpiece of the district is the Triumphal Arch, a twin of the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel in Paris.

#aboutstpete

Besides the legendary Tetris, Russian developers have a plethora of games covering various genres in their arsenal. Here are a few popular ones:

🏹 Pathologic 1 & 2
• Genre: open-world survival
• Platforms: PC / PC, PS4, and Xbox One

🧙‍♂️ Heroes of Might and Magic V
• Genre: turn-based strategy
• Platforms: PC

⚔️ Escape from Tarkov
• Genre: online FPS/battle royale
• Platforms: PC

💣 Pathfinder: Kingmaker and Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous
• Genre: RPG
• Platforms: PC, PS4, and Xbox One / PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch

🎮 Atomic Heart
• Genre: FPS
• Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S

Interested in learning more about these games? Check out our detailed article here ⏮

Take part in a cultural fiesta with the Online Spanish Immersion Camp hosted by the University of Autonoma de Baja California in Mexico 🇲🇽

📆 June 3-21, 2024

Explore the richness of the Spanish language and culture while enhancing your communication skills. Classes run Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 10:30 AM PST (GMT -07:00).

💻 Format: online
📅 Registration deadline: May 26

Please note: as this program is not within the scientific profile of ITMO University, participants are not eligible for partial financial coverage.

#opportunities

🇹🇷 Meet Alperen Cihan, an exchange student from Turkey who came to ITMO for six month, but decided to stay for one more semester. Why? Here’s what he had to say:

My friends here made me stay! My Latvian roommate and Chinese friend made me change my mind and stay here. Of course, ITMO played a massive role in it, too. The classes here are very interesting and beneficial for my career. Also, I am learning Russian and I don’t want it to be in vain.

🌍 Check out our conversation with Alperen as he reflects on his time at ITMO and offers advice for future students.

Read the full interview here 👈

#itmofaces

Be in the picture of all events happening at ITMO 🔔

Bookmark ITMO EVENTS, a special website that aggregates university events for all members of ITMO.Family, including prospective students and staff.

Navigate by date and special tags based on your interests and connect your ITMO account to quickly sign up for events.

From the thunderous roar of motorcycles to the purr-fectly delightful cat-inspired exhibition, this week promises an array of unforgettable experiences👇

🎺 Jazz & Rock concert
• May 3 | 8 PM | 500 RUB

Experience the perfect harmony as the academic symphony orchestra blends Pink Floyd’s iconic anthems with Nikolai Kapustin’s contemporary masterpieces.

🚵 Motorcycle season opening
• May 4 | 11 AM - 6 PM | Free

Kick off the motorcycling season with live music, a city-wide motorcycle parade, and more thrilling events!

🏮 DreamFest: Lantern Festival
• May 5 | 8 PM | 1200 RUB

Experience a live orchestra, awe-inspiring fire shows, and make a wish as you release your lantern into the water for luck.

🐈‍⬛ Tails of St. Petersburg
• May 6 | 11 AM - 10 PM | Free

Dive into the whimsical world of cat art with Lyudmila Chuvilyaeva’s digital show at ArtMuza, showcasing the charming cartoon-like characters that roam our streets.

Read the full article for more cool events 👈

#weekends

📰 Stay updated with our weekly news digest – featuring highlights in education, technology, culture, and beyond!

🤝 Recently, we partnered with the Government of St. Petersburg and Arsenal Group to train lecturers for St. Petersburg’s first IT school, aiming to equip educators for the city’s tech-driven future.

🔬 In an interview, ITMO Fellow Maxim Arsentev talks about the synergy of physical chemistry and IT and how it revolutionizes industries, from 3D-printed homes to energy storage.

🌸 Ever wondered about the quirky names of Russian flowers? Discover the origins of Chicken Blindness and Cuckoo’s Tears.

📢 And now a recap of a few top posts from last week:

🇪🇸 The deadline for applying to the Online Spanish Immersion Camp hosted by the University of Autonoma de Baja California is fast approaching! Apply before May 26.

☀️ For a sun-soaked adventure, explore St. Petersburg’s hidden gems in its lesser-known districts.

#newsdigest

🍿 Planning a movie night out in St. Petersburg? Here’s your guide to the best spots where you can watch flicks in their original language:

🎬 Avrora: serving viewers since 1913, the theater screens new releases, popular hits, and even on-screen ballet and plays.

🎬 Rodina Cinema: with a classy ambiance and diverse lineup including international shorts and indie films, Rodina offers a delightful cinematic experience for all age groups.

🎬 Dom Kino: explore the rich history of cinema while enjoying a mix of new releases and iconic classics.

🎬 Lenfilm Studio: Known for its legendary Russian productions, Lenfilm also shows festivals, indie films, and performances in their original languages.

Whether you’re into classics, blockbusters, or niche indie films, St. Petersburg has something for every cinephile. Grab your popcorn and enjoy the show 🎥

▶️ Find more locations here

#aboutstpete

Today, on May 5, Russia celebrates Easter, one of the main Orthodox Christian holidays!

If you’d like to know more about the traditions of the celebration, from dishes to activities, read this post.

#russia

🍃 The sakura blossom season has started in St. Petersburg!

Ever dreamt of going to Japan to see the blooming cherry trees? 🌺

St. Petersburg makes your dreams come true! Hurry up and don’t miss a chance to experience this breathtaking view and take some amazing photos!

🌱Here are some places to find sakura in bloom:

🌸 Primorsky Victory Park
📍 Krestovsky Pr. 23A
🕟 Open all hours

🌸 Apple garden in Kupchino
📍 Belgradskaya St. 16
🕟 Open all hours

🌸 Karpovka river Emb.
🕟 Open all hours

🌸 St. Petersburg Botanical Garden
📍 Professora Popova St. 2
🕟 Opening hours: 10 AM - 7 PM

🌸 Stieglitz Academy
📍 Solyanoy Lane 13
🕟 Opening hours: 9 AM - 5.45 PM

🌸 Druzhby Garden
📍 Liteyniy Pr.
🕟 Open all hours

🌸 Smolny Stalls Garden
📍 Rastrelli Sq. 3/1
🕟 Open all hours

#aboutstpete

St. Petersburg’s firsts: from museums to monuments 🐣

On the first day of the week, let’s explore the city’s (and sometimes the country’s) earliest landmarks! Read this article and we guarantee that by the end of it, you’ll learn enough cool facts to surprise your friends at the next party.

And if you’re keen on discovering the tiniest landmarks in St. Petersburg, don’t miss out on our recent quiz.

#aboutstpete

🇨🇳 Registration for the “Practice of Innovation Course and Projects on Artificial Intelligence” summer school at Nanjing University of Science and Technology is open!

📅 August 23 – September 6
💰 Application fee: $100

🏫 Program & campus accommodation are free of charge!

This immersive program integrates theoretical and practical lessons with local heritage & cultural experiences.

🎯 The lessons focus on practical skills training and nurturing students’ awareness, thinking, spirit, and abilities to meet the evolving demands of global talent in the digital era.

🏆 To participate, you need a valid English language certificate at the B2 (6.0) level minimum or equivalent (IELTS, TOEFL, Duolingo Official Test, CAE).

Undergraduate and graduate students can apply for partial financial support from ITMO University to participate in short-term educational events. Details are provided here.

To register, send your CV and language certificate to short-term@itmo.ru by July 10, 2025.

#opportunities

🏆 ITMO tops Engineering Sciences and Materials Sciences for the 4th year in a row – according to the latest rankings by the analytics center Expert!

Congrats to our incredible faculty, researchers, and students for their dedication and hard work.

Let’s keep pushing boundaries 🚀

Learn more 👈

#itmoinfo

🇧🇩 In our latest interview, we had the pleasure of chatting with Minhajul Islam from Bangladesh, who is about to start his Bachelor’s studies in computer systems and technologies at ITMO.

Why did he choose to study in Russia? Here’s his answer:

Russia is a country that is very strong in terms of culture and technology. When I was in school, I used to read a lot about the various achievements of Russian students. That inspired me to start looking for opportunities to study in Russia.

Read on to learn more about the inspiring new chapter of his life!

Click here for the full interview ◀️

#itmofaces

With a long weekend around the corner, this week promises to be an eventful one 👇

🎆 Victory Day
• May 9 | 10 AM | Free
The day of commemoration will be marked with a parade, a retro car rally, and fireworks over the Neva River, alongside smaller local events across the city.

🏖 Market by the Sea
• May 10 | 11 PM - 9 PM | Free
Over 200 local brands, tasty treats, workshops, and a DJ set – the perfect way to spend your extra day off!

🔭 Science is beautiful
• May 11 | 24/7 | Free
Discover hidden natural art at the exhibition by Manege, Polytechnic Museum, and Kurchatov Institute, showcasing 40 unique images created with cutting-edge research equipment.

🍿 The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare
• May 13 | 8:40 PM | 350 RUB
In Guy Ritchie’s latest film, an unlikely team led by Henry Cavill goes behind enemy lines in WWII.

For the full week’s plan, click here 👈

#weekends