ITMO University

At least there’s no need for small talk 🤐

🔬 ITMO weekly digest: Nobel Prizes 2026 edition The prizes have found their laureates – and ITMO NEWS has got it covered. 🧪 The Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai, whose work sheds light on origins of life as well as opens new horizons for modern pharmaceuticals. We spoke with Dr Ekaterina Skorb, head of ITMO’s School of Life Sciences and Infochemistry Scientific Center, on the importance of this breakthrough. 🧊 The Nobel Prize in Physics went to Francis Halzen for work connected with the IceCube Neutrino Observatory. Dmitry Karlovets, a senior researcher at ITMO’s Faculty of Physics, explains the discovery and ITMO’s involvement in this research field 🧬 The Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine was presented to Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann, and Georg Nagel for their work on optogenetics. Vera Medvedeva, a senior scientist at ITMO, helps explain this field and the significance of their discovery. And here are other key stories from this week: ☕ Coworking spaces at ITMO ITMO has more coworking spaces than you might think. Find out where they are, when they’re open, and what benefits they offer. 🍂 Make the most of autumn Discover beautiful places to explore around ITMO, along with exciting activities to enjoy this fall. #newsdigest 👍 ITMO on VK

Need a device for a class, project, or other university task? 💻 ITMO.SHARE is a free equipment and component rental service by ITMO Library available to ITMO students and staff. What is ITMO.SHARE?

ITMO.SHARE allows ITMO students and staff to temporarily borrow devices and equipment for study and work. Equipment can be rented for 1-4 hours per day and must be used on university premises.

Who can use it?

The service is available to all ITMO students and staff. When collecting a reserved device, you will need to show your e-pass or student ID.

How can I rent a device?

Submit a Request for ITMO.SHARE Equipment through my.itmo.ru. You can also find the request in the MyITMO app: Applications and Queues → Request for ITMO.SHARE Equipment Applications are processed within 30 minutes during business hours, subject to device availability. Reservations can be made up to one week in advance. The booking period is 1-4 hours per day. Longer rentals must be agreed upon separately.

Where and when can I pick it up?

Devices are available daily from 9:30 AM to 8:30 PM. Equipment can be picked up at ITMO’s Kronverksky and Lomonosova campuses.

Need specific software?

Different devices come with different pre-installed software. If you need additional software, specify it in your request at least 24 hours in advance and provide a link to the required software. Please note that installation of requested software is not guaranteed.

What should I keep in mind?

The equipment must remain on university premises and should be returned with all its components in the same condition in which it was issued. Return the device to the administrator or librarian no later than 10 minutes after your reservation ends. If you fail to pick up your reserved equipment twice in a row, your booking access will be blocked for one month. Only one device can be requested per application. Equipment is provided subject to availability and full financial responsibility, and the library reserves the right to refuse a rental.

👍 ITMO on VK

Hackathons, startups, and sightseeing ✨ In our international spotlight this week is Md. Aris Septanugroho from Indonesia, an active student of the program Neurotechnologies and Programming, who didn’t let the language barrier stop him from participating, winning, and making friendships. On campus, Aris doesn’t limit himself to just his studies; he’s also an avid member of several clubs and communities:

The many clubs and events are actually one of the things I like most about ITMO. By participating in them, you can get a sense of the latest developments in the industry and discover technologies that might not necessarily be covered in your regular university courses. […] That’s one of the most exciting things about these communities for me: they give me opportunities to learn something new.

Read the full interview📌 #itmofaces 👍 ITMO on VK

Autumn is near its midpoint!  Make the most of the season before the leaves fall – check out our articles: Comfort food only 🌯

Cinnamon Bun Guide to St. Petersburg A Guide To Pyshki and Donuts in St. Petersburg Apple Feast: Traditional Russian Treats to Try This Fall What To Do With All the Pumpkins  Sbiten and Vzvar: Slavic Way to Gluehnwein  Russian Tea Culture and Top Spots in St. Petersburg 

City & suburbs 🌇

Scenic Fall Spots in and Around St. Petersburg  Nature Destinations: Things to Do in Early Autumn Top Spots for Harry Potter Lovers in St. Petersburg  Our Favorite Places to Experience Fall in St. Petersburg Medieval Spots Around St. Petersburg 

Halloween spirit 👻

St. Petersburg’s Spookiest Landmarks       The Unexpectedly Superstitious Side of St. Petersburg  Halloween Plans for the Faint of Heart 5 Animated Movies to Get You in the Halloween Spirit   Eco-Horror: What It Is and Why We Love To Fear It  Gothic Revival Architecture in St. Petersburg

Self-care time 💆‍♂️

The Experiment: Testing Ways to Feel Alive in the Morning  The Experiment: Testing Folk Tips for Falling Asleep  The Experiment: How Healthy Food Can Improve Your Life

👍 ITMO on VK

Bright colors of autumn have always been an inspiration to artists 🍂 It’s a season of duality: the beauty of the golden leaves and the melancholy knowledge that they’re soon to fade. Our article series Seasons in Russian Art, as always, is here to familiarize you with some of the most poignant works by Russian artists who captured the essence of this season.

Students aren’t the only ones having active off-class time this October 🏄 To follow up our post about the active life of ITMO staff, we’ve put together events scheduled especially for them. Save the dates: 💚 October 7 – Choir for staff members More Than a Choir 💚 from October 8 – Yoga classes on Thursdays 💚 October 10 – Trek to Yastrebinoe Lake 💚 October 20 – TV show music quiz 💚 October 30 – Board games for staff #events

Perfect for studies, work, or rest… Of course, we’re talking about ITMO coworking spaces! With these cards, no matter which campus you’re in, you’ll always know where to hang between or after classes. #studentlife 👍 ITMO on VK

Only the brightest minds can deal with formatting 🧠

From new scientific labs to exciting competitions, here’s your ITMO news digest for the week: 🤖 ITMO University, SKOLKOVO, and Yandex are among the first in Russia to offer training for the emerging role of Chief AI Officer (CAIO). 💬 ITMO’s Vladimir Vasilyev discussed AI trends at the Alfa Future Summit. “AI is evolution, not revolution,” said the Rector. 🧠 The newly-launched MRI School is the only one of its kind in Russia. ITMO NEWS spoke with Ekaterina Bruy, the school’s organizer and a senior researcher at ITMO’s Scientific and Educational Center of Radiophysics, to learn more about the technology. Here are a few more important updates you won’t want to miss: 🧪 Our team toured the Molecular Biology Lab, Experimental Oncology Lab, Bacteria Therapy Lab, and Biohybrid Systems Lab to learn more about the research and products being developed by ITMO students and staff. 🏆 Another exciting contest for international students: “WOW! RUSSIA!” Film a video about your studies and life in Russia, share your impressions, and win cool prizes! #newsdigest 👍 ITMO on VK

A Nobel Peace Prize laureate at ITMO 🎙️ Join us for an exclusive lecture by Rae Kwon Chung, an international expert in climate policy and Nobel Peace Prize laureate as a member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Why come? 🔵Learn how AI and the climate agenda are reshaping the job market and its demands 🔵Understand which skills will be valuable in the years ahead 🔵Gain guidance for building your own career strategy 🔵Q&A with a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and an expert with 30 years of experience in climate negotiations 📅 October 12, 2-3 PM 📍 Assembly Hall, Lomonosova St. 9 🎫 Register here #events 👍 ITMO on VK

ITMO shines at the Potanin Foundation’s University Ranking  🏆 Out of 75 Russian universities participating, ITMO boasts one of the largest numbers of Potanin Foundation scholarship and grant winners – 97 students and 5 lecturers, landing the second in this year’s ranking. #itmoinfo 👍 ITMO on VK

Ever wondered what people in lab coats are up to at ITMO? 🥼 Welcome to the Center for Molecular and Biological Technologies — an ITMO research unit working at the intersection of biology, chemistry, IT, medicine, and engineering. Our team took a tour of the Molecular Biology Lab, Experimental Oncology Lab, Bacteria Therapy Lab, and Biohybrid Systems Lab to learn more about the research and products being developed by ITMO students and staff. 📸 Join us on the tour! #science

What’s it like to study ecology at ITMO? 🌱 In this week’s spotlight, we meet Kamran Munir, an ITMO Master’s student from Pakistan studying industrial ecology via the Open Doors Scholarship. He spoke with ITMO NEWS about adjusting to life in St. Petersburg, his advice for future Open Doors applicants, and the biggest challenges facing our ecosystems.

For me, environmentalism is about finding realistic solutions. Sustainability is not only about the environment. Economics and technology are also important. […] I believe that if we don’t invest in protecting the environment today, the consequences will eventually cost us much more.

#itmofaces 👍 ITMO on VK

We’ve peeked inside ITMO’s Center for Molecular and Biological Technologies — and learned some exciting things about the research happening there 🔬 Curious to see what we found? Watch the first video in our new Into the Labs series tomorrow on our social media!

Mission impossible: support your friends without saying “Don’t worry” or “It’ll be fine” 🫡 Actually, there’s a way to do it — and we’ll show you one in Russian! We’ve picked six phrases that will not only boost your language skills, but also help you show empathy and remind both your friends and yourself to keep moving forward. #russia 👍 ITMO on VK

Real ITMO student schedule: 💻 10 AM to 4 PM: study in front of a computer 🎬 5 PM: watch a movie about computers If you’re going to spend all day with computers anyway, you might as well keep them around for movie night! From helpful assistants to all-powerful adversaries, computers have fascinated filmmakers for decades. Here’s our pick of five remarkable examples from the silver screen.

Another exciting contest for international students: “WOW! RUSSIA!” 🏆 Film a video about your studies and life in Russia, share your impressions, and win cool prizes! You can choose from the five categories: 🔴Education: Study Without Filters  🔴Travel: Russia in Frame 🔴Culture: Russia Between the Lines 🔴Life Lessons: Russia Taught Me 🔴Speak Russian: Confident and In Style 🗓 Apply by October 30 via the website #opportunities