29 Oct 2026 ITMO University

29 Oct 2026 ITMO University

Student Spotlight: MD Alamin, Bangladesh

Growing up in a rural village in Bangladesh, Alamin dreamed of studying abroad – but financial difficulties made that goal seem almost impossible. After years of searching and applying for scholarships, his determination finally brought him to ITMO University, where he is now preparing to study biotechnology. In this interview with ITMO NEWS, Alamin shares with us his journey from Bangladesh to Russia, his interest in healthcare and bioinformatics, and his first impressions of life in St. Petersburg.

28 Oct 2026 ITMO University

Open Days at ITMO: Explore Your Future Educational Program

University admissions aren’t just about exam prep – it’s also important to understand what exactly you want to study. The earlier you get a grip on the various specializations and admission regulations, the less you’ll need to worry during the application process. ITMO’s open days are a great opportunity to explore specific programs and get to know the university as a whole. In this article, we’ve put together a list of all upcoming 2026 open days – perfect for those who love to plan early. 

28 Oct 2026 ITMO University

This Week in St. Petersburg: October 29 - November 4, 2026

The next seven days will bring a mix of new book-to-screen adaptations, timeless Russian soundtracks, fun nature activities, and more. And don’t forget: Halloween weekend is ahead – get ready for some spooky time, too!

27 Oct 2026 ITMO University

Lost and Found: Rare Russian Lost Media

October 27 is World Day for Audiovisual Heritage. To celebrate, today, we are looking at the intriguing phenomenon of lost media, ways it gets recovered, and some exciting examples of Russian lost media.

27 Oct 2026 ITMO University

From Manuscript Transcriber to CO₂ Converter: Solutions from ITMO’s 5th Young Professionals Conference

How can one digitize a manuscript that is hundreds of years old or convert carbon dioxide (CO₂) into a raw material to produce polymers? These are the problems young scientists are soling at ITMO. Their recent developments were showcased at the exhibition held as part of the 5th International Conference Young Professionals. Here are the highlights.

26 Oct 2026 ITMO University

ITMO and Sberbank Trained 500+ Lecturers in Soft Skills

ITMO University and Sberbank have jointly created and delivered The Methodology of Teaching Soft Skills in Higher Education – a course designed to help educators integrate teamwork, public speaking, conflict management, and other soft skills practices into the classroom. Over the course of two years, 512 Russian lecturers have completed the training.

26 Oct 2026 ITMO University

4 Modern Russian Clothing Brands to Keep You Warm & Stylish

You don’t have to choose between staying warm and looking good. These four unique local brands found a way to make weather protection fashionable. From colorful outdoor-inspired clothing to oversized streetwear and natural-wool knitwear, these designs will keep you cozy during the colder half of the year.

23 Oct 2026 ITMO University

Snow Leopard Day: How ITMO Got Its Mascot

In 2024, the UN declared October 23 as International Day of the Snow Leopard. But what is the connection between ITMO University and this majestic and elusive animal? Let’s find out.

22 Oct 2026 ITMO University

Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Visits ITMO For Discussion on Sustainable Future

On November 12, the assembly hall at ITMO’s Lomonosova campus was abuzz with students and faculty as they gathered for a lecture by Rae Kwon Chung, a Korean climate policy expert and laureate of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize. In his values-centered talk, the expert redefined the role of university in the age of AI, discussed the common belief that sustainability contradicts economic growth, and offered students advice on choosing a future-proof career.

01 Oct 2026 ITMO University

ITMO Researchers Develop Test for Aptamer Analysis AI Models

Scientists from ITMO’s Center for AI in Chemistry have released AptaBench, the first specialized benchmark for verifying models that predict the interaction of aptamers with small molecules. Aptamers find their applications in diagnostics, biosensors, and medicine development, and thus have practical significance for biomedicine. Such models can facilitate the search for new aptamers by selecting the most promising variants that are then verified in the lab. However, before scientists can trust such predictions, it’s important to verify how good the models can process data they haven’t seen before. AptaBench can conduct this verification in standardized conditions.

02 Oct 2026 ITMO University

YaC/e Conference Highlights: Secrets of Teaching in the Age of AI

Not too long ago, neural networks in education were used only to automate routine tasks. In 2026, however, experts see a radical shift: AI is becoming a full-on thinking partner and transforming the educational process. Knowledge that can be obtained in a single click from AI takes a backseat, while the spotlight is now on something unattainable for machines: fundamental mathematical training and the ability to ask questions and set goals. At the recent YaC/e, one of Russia’s top education conferences, ITMO experts talked about why students aren't rushing to delegate their studies to AI and how universities react to new challenges. Here are the highlights.

30 Sep 2026 ITMO University

ITMO in Top Three of Potanin Foundation’s University Ranking

ITMO University ranked second in the 2025/2026 ranking of universities participating in the Vladimir Potanin Foundation Scholarship Contest. In total, the ranking features 75 universities from 36 Russian regions.

09 Oct 2026 ITMO University

2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry: From Primordial Soup to Next-Gen Medicine

This year’s Nobel Prize in Chemistry is going to Henri B. Kagan (France) and Kenso Soai (Japan) “for the discovery of non-linear effects and autocatalysis in asymmetric organic synthesis.” The laureates’ research will allow scientists to control chemical reactions and create organic molecules with a specific orientation. Such molecules have a special purpose in pharmaceutics, where the necessary biological activity is produced by only one of the mirror-image isomers. What are chiral molecules? How do they affect the human body? And why will the new discovery lead to the creation of next-gen medicines? ITMO NEWS looked into it with Ekaterina Skorb, the head of ITMO’s School of Life Sciences and the Infochemistry Scientific Center.

05 Oct 2026 ITMO University

2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine: Controlling Brain With Light

This year’s Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine is going to Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann, and Georg Nagel, whose research helped shed light on how our multibillion-cell brain forms memories, feelings, and behavior strategies. The scientists’ achievements laid the foundation for optogenetics, a method of studying neurons. Why did they receive the Nobel Prize? How does optogenetics help treat diseases? And who studies the brain at ITMO? That’s what we discussed with Vera Medvedeva, a senior researcher at ITMO’s Center for Molecular and Biological Technologies, and Evgeniya Sokolova, the head of the Public Health Sciences Master’s program.

06 Oct 2026 ITMO University

2026 Nobel Prize in Physics: Ghost Particles and Ice Lab

This year, the Nobel Prize in Physics is going to Francis Halzen for decisive contributions to the IceCube Neutrino Observatory and the discovery of high-energy neutrinos of astrophysical origin. The latter are particles born in remote cosmic processes: supernova explosions and black hole and neutron star mergers. We talked to Dmitry Karlovets, a senior researcher at ITMO’s Faculty of Physics, to learn how neutrinos are used to conduct research on Earth and in deep space, how ice helps catch these evasive particles, and how ITMO contributes to this research.

15 Oct 2026 ITMO University

Robot Senses Developed at ITMO: Teaching Machines to See, Remember and Understand Their Surroundings

ITMO’s Laboratory “Embodied AI and Robotics” has presented a series of solutions meant to enable machines to efficiently interact with the physical world around them: to see and recognize spaces, objects, movement, and changes in their environment. Together, these solutions bring robots closer to independent and purposeful interaction with their physical reality.

21 Oct 2026 ITMO University

ITMO Receives 500 Million to Create Industrial Robotics Center

ITMO University has won a competitive selection to receive 500 million rubles towards the creation of the Industrial Robotics Development Center. Special focus will be placed on intelligent and adaptive robotization – technologies that help robots adapt to constantly changing production tasks.

14 Oct 2026 ITMO University

ITMO Scientists’ New Algorithm Helps Select Bioplastics Surfaces for Implants

Researchers have found medical bioplastics with sharper features more efficient than those with a smooth surface. Roughness and depressions promote better cell attachment and growth. The corresponding study was published in Langmuir.

09 Oct 2026 ITMO University

ITMO Presents Medical Diagnostics and Genetic Analysis Solutions at Bioprom Forum

The international forum Bioprom: Industry and Technology For Humans has recently concluded in the city of Gelendzhik. At the event, ITMO showcased its biotechnology contributions: from approaches to specialist training to development of new technologies and startups. Learn more in this ITMO NEWS story.