ITMO University

75 years of ITMO’s student brigades! 🎉

It’s been a long journey they started out as a post-war rebuilding initiative, but today, student brigade members explore archaeological sites, work as lifeguards, and even pick fruit during harvest season.

For Student Brigage Day (February 17), we took a look back on the illustrious history of this enduring community. Check it out 👈

#studentlife

Tech, health, games, and more — all in our weekly highlights 🩺

🤖 ITMO students have launched Russia’s first free AI chatbot for people with diabetes.

💡 Biomedical photonics is shaping the future of healthcare — Dr. Andrey Dunaev breaks down the latest breakthroughs.

🎮 ITMO.GameDev Day 3 gathered 500+ gaming enthusiasts for industry talks, tournaments, cosplay, and board games.

Here are some key highlights you shouldn’t miss:

⚠️ New regulations for foreign citizens in Russia! Here’s what to keep in mind.

🇹🇷 Spend your summer in Turkey! Istanbul Aydin University offers exciting summer courses — early bird discounts are available, too. Find out more.

#newsdigest

Russian cars on the big screen 🚔

From spy limousines to street racing legends, the Russian auto industry has left a mark not just on the roads, but also in Hollywood and beyond.

Whether it’s the luxurious Chaika, the rugged Niva, or the infamous Devyatka, these iconic rides have played their part in action-packed chases, crime dramas, and classic films 🎬

#russia

Retro vibes, romance, and hidden gems — here’s your guide to a fun-filled week 🎈

⛸ Romantic skating session
• Feb 20 | 8:30 - 9:30 PM | 200 RUB

Glide into romance at today’s French-themed ice skating session, set to classics by Brigitte Bardot and Françoise Hardy.

🎞 The Wild One
• Feb 21 | 9:25 PM | 500 - 560 RUB

Catch The Wild One (1953) on the big screen this Friday at Out Cinema. Marlon Brando, biker culture, and Hollywood history – all in one ride!

🎣 Market on the Neva
• Feb 23 | 12 - 9 PM | Free

This Sunday, Sevkabel Port is hosting a vintage market with retro homeware, fashion, food, workshops, and live guitar sessions. Don’t miss!

🏦 Unbuilt Architecture Projects by Leningrad Architects
• Feb 25 | 11 AM - 5 PM | 150 RUB

Explore Soviet architectural dreams at an exhibition featuring the futuristic visions of 70+ unbuilt projects.

For more events, visit our guide on ITMO.NEWS 👈

#events

Calling all international students 🔊

Starting on February 5, foreign citizens may be added to the register of controlled persons if their stay in Russia is deemed to be illegal. Inclusion on the list entails bans and restrictions up to and including expulsion from the country.

❓ Why a person may be added to the register:

• Expiration or annulment of your visa, residence permit, or other documents required for legal stay in Russia
• Transfer of a foreign citizen to Russia under readmission when there are no legal grounds for their stay in the country;
• Refusal of an application for refugee status, loss of refugee status, etc.;
• Termination of Russian citizenship when there are no legal grounds for staying in the country;
• An administrative penalty in the form of expulsion;
• Deportation, readmission, refusal of entry, or restriction of exit;
• Illegal crossing of the state border of the Russian Federation;
• A court ruling recognizing a foreign citizen as guilty of a criminal act.

❗️ Persons included in the register are prohibited from:

• Changing their place of residence without permission from an internal affairs authority;
• Leaving their region of residence;
• Buying and registering real estate or vehicles;
• Entering a marriage;
• Establishing a legal entity or registering as an individual entrepreneur;
• Opening a bank account or conducting banking operations (except for transferring funds to pay mandatory fees, transferring funds to their own account, and withdrawing cash up to 30,000 rubles per month);
• Driving a vehicle or obtaining a Russian or international driver’s license.

📄 You can check the register on the official website of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Information is updated every four hours.

A foreign citizen is considered to have been notified about their inclusion in the register when the relevant information is published on the official website of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

If you find yourself on the register, please immediately contact ITMO’s Migration Services Office at [email protected].

ITMO Culture Fest: registration closes soon 🏯

February 22 will see an unforgettable celebration of diversity, tradition, and friendship at ITMO! This year, the festival welcomes 15 participating countries:

🇻🇳 Vietnam
🇧🇩 Bangladesh
🇧🇾 Belarus
🇦🇫 Afghanistan
🇪🇬 Egypt
🇮🇳 India
🇨🇳 China
🇰🇬 Kyrgyzstan
🇲🇦 Morocco
🇲🇲 Myanmar
🇳🇬 Nigeria
🇷🇺 Russia
🇸🇾 Syria
🇪🇨 Ecuador
🇮🇩 Indonesia

📌 Don’t miss your chance to join! ITMO students and staff, as well as Russian citizens can register by February 20.

Join the event’s Telegram channel for updates and to learn more about each country.

#events

Spend your summer holidays in Turkey 🇹🇷

Istanbul Aydin University, Turkey invites you to join the Delightful Istanbul Summer School.

📆 July 26 – August 9, 2025
📍 Istanbul

Available courses:

📁 Brand Management – 6 ECTS
📁 Digital Marketing – 5 ECTS
📁 Integrated Marketing Communication – 6 ECTS
📁 Genetics and Medical Biotechnology – 6 ECTS
📁 Neuroscience – 6 ECTS
📁 Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine – 6 ECTS

Content and description of the courses is available via this link.

💵 Tuition fees — 990 EUR (890 EUR if registering before March 30, 2025), which includes:

✔️ Classes
✔️ Housing in a four-star hotel, breakfast included
✔️ Cultural events

Participants are selected by ITMO university in two stages. To apply, send the following documents to [email protected] by March 20 (for early-bird registration) or by June 5:

📝 CV in English
📝 Motivation letter in English
📝 Certificate of English proficiency (B2 and higher).

Before applying for the school, please discuss your trip with the head of your education program.

For more info, please contact the Academic Mobility Support Office [email protected]

Additionally, ITMO Bachelor’s and Master’s students can participate in a competition for partial financial coverage of this short-term event.

#opportunities

💌 Всем влюблённым в ИТМО — наш новый рилс!
Немного о том, как мы снимали промо-ролик вместе с командой англоязычных соц.сетей ИТМО — @itmo_uni

Capturing the beauty of our beloved city, university, and students 📷

Together with ITMO’s Online Pedagogy Lab, we’re filming a video for the upcoming admissions season. Take a peek! 🫶

Do you think Russian literature is all doom and gloom? This article will change your mind 🌞

Here are five works by Russian classics that are sure to brighten your day! We’ve encoded their plots in emojis — pick one to discover your perfect read:

⛵️🌅❤️ — Scarlet Sails by Alexander Grin
🪑💰🏃‍♂️ — The Twelve Chairs by Ilya Ilf and Yevgeny Petrov
🚆🍷🌌 — Moscow to the End of the Line by Venedict Yerofeyev
👨‍⚖️🔄🏰 — Ivan Vasilievich by Mikhail Bulgakov
🧙‍♂️📚🔍— Monday Begins on Saturday by Boris and Arkady Strugatsky

Learn more about these books here 📚

#russia

You have a new message 💌

Happy Valentine’s Day from all of us at ITMO! Just a friendly reminder that love doesn’t always have to be grand. Sometimes, its most heartwarming expressions are subtle… just like these notifications!

From science to startups, ITMO leads the way! Here’s your weekly digest 📻

🔬 The 14th SCAMT Workshop Week wrapped up successfully. Top students can now enroll in ITMO’s Master’s programs without exams or continue their research at the university.

💡 At the conference Business Growth: Implementation of Photonic Technologies, experts explored how photonics is transforming industries.

🏆 ITMO student Mikhail Shperling has won GSEA Russia 2025 with his business automation platform. Next stop — the GSEA grand finals in Berlin!

And now, our most popular posts from this week:

✨ For the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we celebrated just a few of ITMO’s many brilliant female scientists and learned more about their research.

🔥 The major lasers & photonics conference FLAMN-25 lands at ITMO this June. Sign up by March 3!

#newsdigest

ITMO Family Day is back 🥳

The highlight of the year for all of us at ITMO, the open-air festival ITMO Family Day, will be held on July 12!

Get ready for a day filled with everything we love: interactive zones, special guests, fun activities, and, of course, the graduation ceremony!

🎈 Stay tuned for updates on the festival’s schedule here.

#events

It’s time to beat the winter blues with some bright art, soulful music, and a dash of vintage charm 💝

🦄 Fairytale. Dream
• Feb 13 | 12 - 8 PM | 500 RUB

Anonymity and art rarely mix but Grekht, a mysterious Russian artist, proves otherwise. Step into his whimsical world this Thursday.

❤️ Only Love
• Feb 14 | 8 PM | 500 - 1300 RUB

Jazz it up on Valentine’s Day! Varvara Ubel and Oleg Butman’s trio will serenade you with love-themed classics and originals.

📰 Nastii (Nastic Movements)
• Feb 15 | 11AM - 7 PM | 200 RUB

Sergey Denikin transforms everyday objects into mesmerizing art by blending light, shadow, and nature’s rhythms. See for yourself at his latest exhibition.

⛵️ Garage Sail
• Feb 16 | 12 - 10 PM | Free

Garage Sail is back! Refresh your wardrobe sustainably with second-hand gems, groove to a DJ set, and enjoy tasty local bites at Sevkabel.

For more interesting and fun ideas, read our article on ITMO.NEWS 👈

#events

Poetic map of the world 📜

This weekend, ITMO Speaking Club invites you on a poetic journey around the globe!

Guests will get to share poems from their home countries – or present their own works, both in the original language or translated into Russian 🎤

In addition to the on-site event, there’s going to be a Zoom broadcast, so your friends around the world can join the gathering, too.

📅 February 15, 6 pm (6:30 pm online)
📍 Lomonosova St. 9, 1303/8 or online
🔗 Register via the link by February 13

#studentlife

Meet the women shaping the future of science at ITMO ✨

February 11 is the International Day of Women and Girls in Science! Not just today, but every day, brilliant female researchers make significant contributions to science and tech, drive innovation, and push boundaries.

Today, we’re shining a spotlight on just a few of the many talented current and former ITMO students and researchers who are making a name for themselves in the scientific world.

Who inspires you? Tell us in the comments 👇

#science

The premier conference on laser & photonics is here 🔥

FLAMN-25 is coming to ITMO University on June 24-27. Scientists, industry leaders, and students will explore cutting-edge laser technologies, AI in photonics, and next-gen innovations in micro and nanotechnologies.

🔍 Key topics:
• Laser-assisted micro & nanotechnologies
• Laser-matter interaction
• Biomedical laser applications
• AI & automation in industrial laser tech
• Optical solutions for science art

Sign up by March 3!

Register here 👈

For more updates, join the event’s Telegram channel.

#opportunities

Celebrating Russian Science Day with ITMO’s young innovators 🔭

On February 8, we marked the occasion by spotlighting some of ITMO’s many remarkable young researchers. Just yesterday they were in high school – but today, they are shaping the future of science!

From venturing to the North Pole to paving the way for quantum technologies, their scientific careers have already been daring and full of excitement. How did they find their calling, what have they achieved so far, and what does future hold in store? Find out in our feature article 👈

#science

Become the manager of your own research📎

ITMO’s International Laboratory “Hybrid Nanostructures for Biomedicine” invites Bachelor’s and Master’s students to join the course Basics of Research Planning and Management of Scientific Research. In this course, you will learn how to monetize ambitious high-tech projects and explore success stories from ITMO scientists.

Course contents include:

• How to write an effective grant application
• How to manage a research project
• How to use AI for scientific literature searches

The course is available in both English and Russian. The Russian sessions will be taught by Anastasia Surkova, while the English sessions will be led by Ali Abbasi, both researchers at the International Laboratory “Hybrid Nanostructures for Biomedicine.”

📅 English group: February 12 – April 24, 2025
📅 Russian group: February 10 – April 22, 2025

Classes will be held once a week.

✏️ To apply and learn more, please write to [email protected].

#opportunities

Share your feedback about the semester 📝

By February 9, you can fill out the survey on ИСУ → Личный кабинет → Образование и наука → ITMO.CoursesAssessment or via the link.

For information on research ethics and handling of personal data (including anonymity), click here.

You can view the results of past surveys here.

How to find your next favorite book in St. Petersburg – in any language 📚

St. Petersburg is paradise for book lovers! From historic libraries to hidden vintage shops and online bookstores, you can find a book in nearly every language – English, Mandarin, and beyond!

Want to know where to start? Check out our ultimate guide 👈

#stp

Here’s your weekly digest of discoveries, innovations, and exciting events at ITMO 🎒

🧮 ITMO physicist Ivan Terekhov started solving university-level problems in fifth grade; now, he’s an accomplished researcher studying electron interactions in 2D materials.

✨ Scientists from the Faculty of Physics explore how twisted electrons absorb photons in strong magnetic fields, bringing us closer to understanding how pulsar nebulas form around neutron stars.

🕶 Augmented reality is reshaping numerous industries, from engineering to gaming. ITMO researchers break down the history and current challenges of AR.

And now, a recap of this week’s must-not-forget posts:

⏳ A new semester has begun! Check out our list of top apps and websites that’ll boost your productivity and make student life smoother.

🏯 Registration for ITMO Culture Fest is now open. Don’t miss out on a grand celebration of global traditions and friendship!

#newsdigest

Classes may be back, but that doesn’t mean the fun has to stop 😸

From fresh exhibitions to movie nights and live music, here’s your weekly dose of things to do.

🇪🇸 Spanish Groove
• Feb 6 | 8 PM | 500 RUB

A night of Spanish classics awaits as Orchestra 1703 brings tunes by Albéniz, Rodrigo, and Viñao to life.

🗼 Vienna-Paris, and Back!
• Feb 7 | 8 PM | 600 RUB

Enjoy timeless dance compositions at the St. Petersburg Philharmonia.

🩰 The Nutcracker
• Feb 9 | 5:30 PM | 650 RUB

Catch Vasili Vainonen’s take on The Nutcracker on the big screen – no crowds, just pure ballet magic!

🧺 Views of St. Petersburg and suburbs
• Feb 10 | 12 - 9 PM | Free

Discover urban-inspired graphics and a curated literary collection at this exclusive exhibition at Sevkabel Port.

For even more events to fill up your week, visit our article on ITMO.NEWS 👈

#events

ITMO needs YOU 👧

We’re looking for a female international student to participate in a promotional video shoot tomorrow at our Lomonosova St. 9 campus!

No acting experience is required – just your enthusiasm and a willingness to represent ITMO!

If you’re interested, please DM us at @itmo_uni_dm.

Upd: The student is found! Thank you for your quick responses.

How time flies… the new semester has begun 🤓

To celebrate, here’s a handy gift: a list of apps and websites that’ll boost your productivity and help you save some time for the fun parts of student life. Check the comments for links to all the resources!

How are you feeling about the new semester?

🤩 — Excited and looking forward to it
🙈 — I need an extra week of holidays
🤯 — Wait, how is it already the new semester??

ITMO Culture Fest: registration is now open 🏯

Get ready for an unforgettable celebration of diversity, tradition, and friendship. Explore the world from the comfort of the ITMO campus!

🗓 February 22, 2025

📌 Registration deadlines:
• ITMO students/staff & Russian citizens – February 20.
• Foreign citizens (non-students/staff) – February 6.

For more info, join the event’s Telegram channel 👈

#events

Winter selfcare tips ❤️‍🩹

With its unpredictable weather and limited sunlight, winter in St. Petersburg can feel more like a season to endure than enjoy. Here are some tips that should make getting through the rest of winter a bit easier.

😴 Dealing with SAD

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a condition typically experienced in fall or winter and until spring, often caused by lack of sunlight, which affects the body’s internal clock and the production of melatonin and serotonin. Symptoms include prolonged sleep, carbohydrate cravings, low mood, fatigue, irritability, lack of energy, and difficulty concentrating. Here are some ways to combat it:

• Catch even the little daylight there is; try to go outside when the sun is still up and don’t use the blinds until nighttime. Employ artificial light sources.
• Common tips like maintaining a balanced diet, exercising, and staying active are also of great help.
• If possible, do a blood test and consult a doctor to see if you have a vitamin D deficiency, which is common in regions where there’s little sunlight.
• Try to avoid self-diagnosing. Only a specialist can confirm disorders like depression and SAD. If experience severe fatigue, anxiety, or despair, reach out for help.

🧤 Dressing appropriately

When temperature drops below zero, your priority is to stay warm. In winter, a warmer coat and winter boots are essential. Same goes for scarves, gloves, and hats – covering your neck and wrists can save up to 20% of body heat!

If you’re into outdoor sports or nature outings, consider dressing in layers:

• The base layer should be made of moisture-wicking fabrics, like microfiber or thin wool, to keep you dry and warm.
• The mid layer should trap heat against your body. Fleece, feather, or synthetic fiber are good options.
• The outer layer should protect you from the weather. Choose a coat and boots that are waterproof.

🏥 Health insurance

Winter can be a season of accidents. Therefore, proper health insurance can be crucial! Read this post to learn what to pay attention to when choosing an insurance policy.

#studentlife

Spotting snakes in St. Petersburg 🐍

While celebrating the Year of the Snake, we couldn’t help but look closely at the city’s monuments, houses, and street furniture for serpentine motifs. Discover the prominent serpents and the meaning behind them in the urban landscape: from heralds of good trade to triumphs over enemies 🔎

#stp

In the mood for some breakthroughs? 💫

Your weekly digest of ITMO news is here:

🔬 ITMO researchers have created gold nanoparticle sensors to detect natural antioxidants with precision – a game-changer for medicine, cosmetics, and food industries!

🏅 Anton Kabakov and Maxim Radaev from ITMO were awarded St. Tatiana Badges of Honor for their outstanding contributions to society.

🛡 PhD student Vitaly Rogov reveals the latest cyber fraud schemes and shares tips to stay safe online – because knowledge is your best defense!

Let’s catch up on last week’s buzz:

🏠 Ever wondered what the ITMO dorms look like? Check out our video tour of the dormitory on Belorusskaya St. 6.

⏰ New semester, new schedule! Starting February, enjoy two 30-minute breaks daily to recharge and switch classrooms stress-free. Check it out here.

#newsdigest

Did you know that the St. Petersburg Metro is a hidden art museum? 🚇

With its exquisite chandeliers, intricate reliefs, and Florentine mosaics, the metro is actually home to some of the city’s best art. Aside from the main hubs, which are renowned for their beauty, there are many overlooked, yet equally worthwhile stations to visit and admire. Here’s our list of just a few:

📍 Vladimirskaya
📍 Narvskaya
📍 Komendantsky Prospekt
📍 Zvenigorodskaya
📍 Bukharestskaya
📍 Volkovskaya

Click here to learn more 👈

#stp

Do you think St. Petersburg’s signature color is grey? We beg to differ 🍭

For many, the Northern capital, with its steel skies and historical architecture, is associated with a muted color palette. If you look closely, you’ll see that our city actually contains a whole spectrum of colors – and with this story, we’ll take you through them all!

#stp

Smells like… a new post about cool local shops 👃

In this installment, we are sharing five Russian perfume brands worth your attention. They can make for perfect gifts for yourself or your loved ones. Find the links to them in this article!

Do you like perfume?

❤️ — Yes
💔 — Not really
🙈 — Can’t pick the perfect scent

Strange shapes, mythical animals, and more 🦄

We’ve already explored some of the most unusual flags found throughout Russia. If you missed this cultural rollercoaster, make sure to complete this quiz in our channel.

But what about St. Petersburg in particular? In our most recent story, we zoom in on the flag collection of our beloved city.

#stp

14th Congress of Young Scientists at ITMO 📝

The call for applications for the annual Congress of Young Scientists is open! Participants will have the opportunity to present their scientific reports, enhance their public speaking skills, and even publish their first journal articles.

The congress will feature varied sections, workshops, contests, roundtable discussions, tours, and exhibitions.

Why join?

• a chance to enroll in ITMO Master’s programs exam-free
• receive the highest possible score when applying for a PhD program at ITMO
• get to know the university’s scientific community

Visit the event’s official website for more information on the application process, sections, and participation categories.

📅 April 7-11, 2025
❗️ Apply by February 8

#opportunities

5 hidden gems to discover at Grand Maket Russia 🇷🇺

The largest scale model of Russia and the second-largest diorama of its kind in the world – the Grand Maket isn’t just a miniature copy of the country, but an exciting treasure hunt for the curious!

From Ded Moroz on his sleigh to mysterious aliens, shamans, and more, the exhibit is packed with surprises.

Explore in full here 👈

#russia

Sunny days, slippery streets – spring might be on its way! ☀️

Embrace the warmth with this week’s highlights:

🔬 Physicist Alexey Kokhanovskiy talks about his path as a scholar of neuromorphic computing – a discipline that blends physics with AI.

🧪 ITMO Fellow Alena Kulakova shares how she designs cutting-edge materials for sensors and drug delivery systems.

Throwback time: a few top stories from last week 👇

📺 Learn Russian language and culture with these animated gems, handpicked by ITMO’s Foreign Language Training Center.

🐾 Discover how the student club Paws of Help makes a difference for animals in need and how you can join their mission.

#newsdigest

Ready to recharge your batteries? Here’s the best in art, music, and cinema to jazz up your mood! ⚡️

🎼 Mozart Gala
• Jan 17 | 8 PM | 600-1500 RUB

Mark Mozart’s birthday with a chamber orchestra concert led by Leo Kraemer and featuring Dmitry Terentyev on the flute.

🎬 Lost Highway
• Jan 18 | 7 PM | 500 RUB

Catch David Lynch’s cult classic Lost Highway (1997) at Rodina Cinema – a mind-bending thriller full of twists and turns. (18+)

🎬 Amadeus
• Jan 19 | 10 AM | 200 RUB

Experience the Oscar-winning masterpiece Amadeus (1984) – a tale of musical rivalry, genius, and intrigue in 18th-century Vienna. (18+)

🦁 African Dreams​
• Jan 22 | 11 AM - 10 PM | Free

ArtMuza gallery marks Tanzania’s Independence Day with a vibrant exhibition of Russian and African art – a colorful escape from winter blues!

Check out our full article on ITMO.NEWS for more events and ideas 👈

#events

Do you love animals? Meet ITMO’s student club Paws of Help 🐾

At this volunteer club, students are brought together by a shared desire to do some good for their fellow creatures. How does the club work, how do you join, and what’s the proper procedure for helping animals in the wild? Check out our cards and read the full story here.

#studentlife

Dear students, how’s your exam season going?

🤓 — Nailing it!
😎 — Got enough points to skip my exams
😭 — Don’t ask me

Mauritania is beautiful 🇲🇷

Last Saturday, our students got to explore Mauritania, a small but vibrant country located in Western Africa, right here at ITMO! It was an evening full of music, stories, and a warm sense of community, all thanks to the incredible organizers who curated this memorable experience.

Subscribe to ITMO Buddy System Telegram channel to stay tuned for upcoming events!

#studentlife

Hello from our colleagues in Ankara 🇹🇷

ITMO University is taking part in the selection of candidates from Turkey for the Russian Government scholarship. The winners will have the opportunity to study in Russian-taught programs at ITMO on a tuition-free basis!

We also invite anyone interested in studying at ITMO to visit the Russian House in Ankara! Representatives from the International Students Learning and Support Center, Marina Serova and Yulia Garmalyga, will be happy to answer your questions about studies and admissions.

📆 January 13-15, 10 am – 5 pm
📍Ankara, Hilal, Rabindranath Tagore Cd. 68

#events

25 Russian cartoons for learners of any level 📺

Animation can be the perfect way to learn a new language – and get acquainted with its culture! For an efficient-yet-enjoyable learning experience, we’ve prepared a list of top Russian cartoons for learners in collaboration with ITMO’s Foreign Language Training Center.

And if you’re in more of a bookworm mood right now, check out our post about the best books for improving your Russian🤓

#russia

Are you into physics or robotics? Would you like to enroll in a Master’s program at ITMO without exams? 💪

Sign up for ITMO Mega Contest, an online entrance competition for Bachelor’s students and graduates.

Participants can choose between two tracks:

✨ The Physics track will include theoretical and practical tasks from various domains of physics
✨ The Robotics track will test your knowledge of control theory and other related fields

The winners will get the chance to join a Master’s program within their selected track.

⌛️ Don’t miss out – registration closes on January 14!

#opportunities

Welcome back!

How did your holiday season go? Ours was pretty great – here’s a few highlights:

☃️ The ITMO.NEWS team has made a list of their top winter essentials – from home decor to outdoor activities – that make winter unforgettable. Maybe you’ll find a new favorite, too!

🪐 ITMO researcher Mikhail Sokolov unraveled the science of the Dune universe in his latest lecture. A fascinating read!

🐍 To mark the Year of the Snake, we explored this animal’s role in Slavic culture – from house guardian to rain-bringer.

🔎 The holidays may be over, but ITMO’s Museum of Optics is always open visitors who wish to explore its many curious artifacts.

Looking for ideas for some last-minute outdoors fun?

🧣 Discover new architectural gems, learn about Russian history, and reconnect with nature all at once by visiting one of these top historic mansions around St. Petersburg.

Stay cozy, stay curious, and gear up for an exciting year ahead!

#newsdigest

No reason not to keep the fun going!

Whether you’re ready to dive into 2025 or want to savor the holiday cheer a bit longer, here are some fun things to do:

⛷ Events and places to visit

• Visit ROSPHOTO, Annenkirche, or the Ice.Life exhibition at Sevkabel for more festive magic.
• Stroll along Nevsky, pop by Palace Square, and explore Vasilyevsky Island.
• Make it festive at the city’s many ice rinks – don’t forget to dress warmly!

🎨 Ring in the New Year with culture

• Savor the art of Viktor Vasnetsov, Karl Bryullov, and other masters.
• From coffee to emotions, the city’s most unusual museums have it all covered.

❄️ Plan a day out

• Hit the ski slopes or explore wintery palace grounds.
• Find new perspectives in the city with our handy guides.

🏡 Stay warm and celebrate at home

• Try Russian Old New Year customs, like kolyadovanie or midnight wish-making!
• Declutter, plan your year, or recharge with cozy games and movies.

For more details, visit our article on ITMO.NEWS 👈

#events

Aaaand… just like that, the long winter holidays are over 🥲

Wishing everyone a smooth transition back to your study routine!

Everything you need to know about Russian Orthodox Christmas 🕯

Did you know that in Russia, Christmas is celebrated on January 7? Now’s your chance to learn about all of its unique traditions – such as kolyadki (caroling in costumes), midnight church services, and fun fortune-telling rituals!

#russia

Hi there! Just checking in to see how you’re doing 🕵️‍♀️

React to this post with your current mood!

In 2024, ITMO.NEWS wrote and translated hundreds of articles. But which ones made it into the top 10?

Here are our most viewed texts from 2024 – in case you’re looking for a handy read during your holidays:

🥇 5 Russian Streaming Services to Try in 2024

🥈Must-Read Russian Books for Learners of Any Level

🥉 Three Keys to Deciphering Slavic Folklore Symbols

4️⃣ Virtual Power Plants, Real Electricity: Tanzanian Researcher Jackson J. Justo on Artificial Intelligence and Future of Power Industry

5️⃣ A Guide to Public Transport in St. Petersburg

6️⃣ Student Spotlight: Yemane Habtemichael Gebremeskal, Eritrea

7️⃣ Stay Fit in Style: 10+ Russian Activewear Brands

8️⃣ The Most Puzzling Letter of Russian Alphabet

9️⃣ Student Spotlight: Abubakr Mustafa, Sudan

🔟 5 Exhibits To See in the Hermitage Museum

Craving outdoor experiences?🧣

The ways to make the most of your winter holidays are unlimited: you can discover new architectural styles, learn about prominent Russian figures, or find peace by reconnecting with nature. And by visiting these historic mansions, you can do all three at once!

#stp

Happy New Year from all of us at ITMO! We wish you a wonderful 2025! ❤️

How does one celebrate New Year like a Russian? Let us show you 🥂

Feel the atmosphere of Russian holiday celebrations with Polina Zvoda!

This is the final door of our festive advent calendar! We’ve learned so much about our students and their cultures – we hope it’s been just as fun and educational for you 🙌

#advent2024

We’re about to unlock the final door of our advent calendar! But first, we invite you to test your knowledge of the customs covered in previous posts 🤭

AI in education, top awards, and new connections – it’s been a busy 2024 for ITMO ❤️

Caught up in the rich kaleidoscope of discoveries, interviews, and events at ITMO, we almost didn’t notice that the year is almost over! Join us as we reminisce about the key moments of the past year in this ITMO NEWS article.

#itmoinfo

For this special Saturday, we’ve saved some exciting traditions from the USA for you 🎉

New Year or Christmas? Basil Soufi tells us all about American celebrations!

#advent2024

Are you into physics or robotics? Would you like a chance to enroll at ITMO without exams? 🙃

Seize the opportunity – sign up for ITMO Mega Contest!

The Physics track will include theoretical and practical tasks from various domains of physics, while the Robotics track will test your knowledge of control theory and other related fields.

Don’t hesitate – sign up and stay tuned for further announcements! Demo versions of the tasks will be on the portal soon 🤓

#opportunities

Welcome to the first news digest of December ❄️

As the holiday spirit sets in, our advent calendar of tech innovations and educational opportunities continues! Have a quick look:

🔗 At the 4th Congress of Young Scientists, ITMO introduced ёTalk, a Telegram bot for science networking at every level. Within three days, nearly 1,500 users signed up, with 200+ meetups happening at ITMO’s booth!

🧪 Mobile cube laboratories, co-created by ITMO and Prolab, are bringing advanced experiments to Russian high schools. These labs will aid in groundbreaking discoveries for medicine and pollution control, with five new locations planned for 2025.

✨ Researchers at ITMO have developed quantum dot-based smart packaging indicators that reveal the true expiration dates of meat, fish, and chicken. This award-winning project received a 6M ruble grant to support further research.

And now for some unmissable highlights from this week:

😎 Think your Russian pronunciation is flawless? Challenge yourself with words even native speakers find tricky!

🎁 Join ITMO’s Secret Santa and add some festive cheer to your week! Registration is open until December 14, with the exchange happening on December 21.

#newsdigest

Snow, lights, and culture! ⛄️

Embrace winter’s joys with exhibitions, screenings, and music. Here’s your weekly guide:

🎬 On the big screen: Midas Man
• Dec 5 | 4 PM | 300 RUB

The freshly-released biopic tells the story of the meteoric rise – and tragic demise – of The Beatles’ star-making manager. A must-watch for Beatlemaniacs.

⛸ Flagstock Ice Rink
• Dec 6 | 9:30 AM - 11:30 PM | 100-350 RUB

Europe’s largest ice rink is now open! With stunning views, easy metro access, and weekly free skating opportunities, this is your perfect winter escape!

🎧 Music club at Community center: from Louis XIV to modern cinema
• Dec 7 | 7 PM | 200 RUB

Practice Russian while exploring music by Bach, Vivaldi, and others that shaped iconic film scores in this lecture by Asya Bargatuni.

🖼 Exhibition: On Naive Fragility​
• Dec 10 | 11 AM - 10 PM | Free

Photographer Alisa Lyu uses delicate object compositions to explore unspoken emotions and the fragile structure of reality.

Visit our article for more 👈

#events

Yesterday, we were blessed with December’s first snowfall. But some of it is already melting!

If you, too, can’t wait for full-blown winter to come to St. Petersburg, react with a winter-themed emoji – together, we can manifest a true winter wonderland ☃️

Today’s challenge: testing your Russian pronunciation 😎

Some of these aren’t easy even for native speakers, so mastering them will be a sure sign of your high proficiency! Learn more about each of the words in our article.

How many can you pronounce?

🤯 - none
🦄 - one or two
🤓 - three or four
😈 - all five

#russia

Ho-ho-ho! It's time for Secret Santa! 🎁

Ready to spread some holiday cheer? Join our Secret Santa gift exchange! Here’s how it works:

🎅 What is it?
It’s a gift exchange where you write down what you’d like to receive and buy a present for the person assigned to you. It’s all about surprises and holiday spirit!

🎁 Gift budget
The gift must be priced between 600 and 700 RUB

📅 Important Dates
— Registration closes at 12:00 on December 14. After that, we’ll shuffle the names and let you know who your gift recipient is;
— The gift exchange event will take place on December 21 at 18:00 on the Kronverkskiy campus

🎉 Why come?
Apart from the gift exchange, there’ll be fun activities for everyone. Stay tuned for more updates — we’ll share the details soon!

❗ What if you can’t attend?
No problem! You can hand us your gift in advance, and we’ll deliver it to your recipient. The gift meant for you can be collected later — just message our organizer, Tanya, to arrange it

👉 Join now: Sign up here

Let’s make this holiday season magical! ✨

Ecuadorian delegates meet ITMO students! 🇪🇨

Recently, ITMO’s Ecuadorian students met with Ambassador Juan Fernando Holguín Flores and Honorary Consul and CEO of ExpoForum-International Sergey Voronkov to discuss education, business, and culture.

The discussion also touched on exciting news about the increase in scholarships for Ecuadorian students!

#itmoinfo