From biotech to journalism 🔬✍️

In his six years at ITMO, Subhrajit Barua worked in two very different fields: biotechnology and journalism. Now, as he prepares to complete his PhD and defend his Candidate of Sciences degree, he looks back on his research journey and half a decade with ITMO NEWS.

Over the years, I conducted more than 270 interviews with international students, and each story offered something both unique and relatable. Prospective students later told me that these interviews helped them imagine the life they might have at ITMO. Knowing that the work had a real impact made it worthwhile.

Read the full interview here 👈

#itmofaces

Any plans for this fall? 🕵️‍♀️

If your list has nothing but studying on it so far, this post is here to fix that! Make the most of fall in St. Petersburg with our selection of must-dos for every month: from picturesque walks to niche cinemas.

Click on the activities hidden among the leaves to find yours:

🍂🍂📖🍂🧙
🪦👻🍂🍂🍂
🍂🍂🧁☕️🍂
🍂🎥🍂🍂🍂

#stp

What’s been happening at ITMO this week? Catch up on the highlights below:

🚴‍♂️ ITMO’s 24th Bike Ride with the Rector took place on September 8. Students, graduates, faculty, and staff joined the traditional bike trek and shared their plans for the new academic year.

⚡️ ITMO physicists have shown that an electron beam can emit microwave photons even in an area with no magnetic field. Their calculations bring us one step closer to understanding how twisted electrons behave in real accelerators and microscopes.

🔬 Researchers from ITMO have proposed a new design for an ultrasensitive terahertz sensor. The solution could be used in medical diagnostics and industrial quality control.

And now, some posts worth revisiting from this week:

📢 The call for international academic exchange is open until September 21! There are 40+ universities around the globe to choose from.

🍁 Have the best fall in St. Petersburg with our monthly selection of must-dos, from picturesque walks to niche cinemas.

#newsdigest

Why do students choose ITMO? 🙂‍↕️

Hilux Fokou, an information security student from Cameroon 🇨🇲 who enrolled at ITMO through the Open Doors project, shares his experience.

Registration for ITMO Collab is now open ✨

Always dreamed of leading your own project? Got exciting ideas at the intersection of disciplines? Or maybe you don’t have an idea yet, but want to join a strong team?

✨ Then go ahead and apply, there’s 1,000,000 ₽ in project funding on stake! ✨

• Fill out the registration form
• Present your project and learn more about others at pitch sessions from September 30 to October 2
• Vote for the ideas you like most
Teams with the most votes will advance to expert review panels (October 28-30) 

Application deadline: September 25, 11:59 PM.
Full competition rules are available here.

✨ If you don’t find the answer you’re looking for, feel free to send your question to ITMO Collab’s channel chat – and stay tuned for updates!

#opportunities

ITMO Speaking Club is kicking off a new season! 😍

Go to their page for the schedule and to register for English, Russian, and more speaking clubs – as well as weekly movie and board game nights on campus.

Момент, которого вы все ждали 🤩 Наше сентябрьское расписание уже доступно!

----------------

The moment you have all been waiting for 🤩 Our September schedule is now up!

🇬🇧 ESC:
18/09 at 18:00 👉🏼 link
25/09 at 18:00 👉🏼 TBA

🇷🇺 RSC:
No meetings in September

🇫🇷 FSC:
24/09 at 18:30 👉🏼 link

🇩🇪 GSC:
17/09 at 19:00 👉🏼 link

🇪🇸 SSC:
17/09 at 17:30 👉🏼 link
24/09 at 17:30 👉🏼 TBA

🇨🇳 CSC:
16/09 at 18:30 👉🏼 link

🇹🇷 TSC:
21/09 at 19:00 👉🏼 link

#GeneralEvents

Zenit: the pride of St. Petersburg! ⚽️

Did you know that supporting Zenit is about more than just football? The club has been part of St. Petersburg’s history and culture for over a century 💙

From its unusual origins to major victories and even its own namesake metro station, we’ve collected 5 must-know facts about St. Petersburg’s beloved football club.

#stp

Meet Tania Shokor, an ITMO graduate who combined her love for languages with her passion for robotics and AI 🤖

While getting her Bachelor’s in robotics and Master’s in robotics and AI, she became an active part of ITMO’s English Speaking Club and Buddy System. Throughout her time at the university, she turned from a recent arrival into a confident mentor who helped other students practice their English and make lasting friendships.

She speaks fondly about her experience running the ITMO Speaking Club:

Then there are the participants. People come to the club incredibly open to meeting others, and that openness is contagious. You see regular participants gradually forming their own little communities and friendships. Seeing those connections form is very heartwarming.

🔗 Read the full interview

#itmofaces

Who needs a travel agent when you’ve got the university?

ITMO Adventures is a unique opportunity for students to visit new cities for free and discover the iconic sites of the Russian Northwest!

Choose a destination from the schedule:

• Petrozavodsk — October 9–11
• Vyborg — October 18
• Vologda — October 24–25
• Gatchina — October 25
• Ivangorod — November 1

🔗 Details

➡️ Register by September 28
⚠️ Places are limited

Each student may visit only one city as part of the program. Participants will be selected based on motivation letters and assigned destinations through a priority system. Open to students aged 18-35 only.

For any questions, reach out to omp@itmo.ru

#opportunities

ITMO is topping the rankings! 🌟

According to the latest ShanghaiRanking, ITMO is the top Russian university in Food Science & Technology!

In a recent interview, Dr. Elena Koshel, head of ITMO’s Faculty of Biotechnologies, noted:

Our success comes from our interdisciplinary approach, uniting biotechnologies with engineering and intelligent technologies. This collaboration enriches our research and educational programs.

ITMO is also the top Russian university represented in the Automation & Control ranking.

#itmoinfo

Become the best international student in Russia at the StudRussia competition 🎓

Organized by the Ministry of Education and Science of Russian, StudRussia supports students with special achievements in education, science, youth policy, leadership, social activism, volunteering, creativity, and sports.

Who can take part

✔️ International students of Bachelor’s (from 2nd year of studies), Master’s, Specialist’s, and PhD programs of Russian universities
✔️ Age: 18-35 years old

Why participate

🏆 Seven categories for any talent: from Future of Science to Voice of the Generation (Media)
🎁 Memorable prizes and nationwide recognition
🚀 A chance to make it to the final in Moscow with accommodation and meals fully covered!

📆 Submit your application and portfolio until September 20
🔗 Learn more and apply here

#opportunities

Thinking whether you should take part?

Some inspiration from ITMO student Michael Oladoye, who got the 1st prize in the STUDRUSSIA finals last year, should clear your doubts!