Student Spotlight: Ridwan Muhammed, Nigeria

Hey Ridwan, nice to see you. How are you doing?

I am doing good. What about you?

I am all good, too. Please introduce yourself briefly to our readers. 

My name is Ridwan Muhammed. I am an international student from Nigeria, about to start a two-year Master’s program in infochemistry. I come from the northern part of Nigeria, where the majority of the population is Muslim. I’ve dreamt of studying overseas since I finished my undergraduate studies. I had been applying to various countries in the hope of getting a scholarship, but nothing clicked until I won the Open Doors contest last year. I had to pass on it because I hadn’t received my Bachelor’s degree diploma yet, but I didn't give up and applied again, only to finish among the top five in my track.  

You faced all those challenges bravely! I am curious to know more about your story.

My life has been full of challenges. I lost my mother as a kid when I was just seven years old. Nine years later, I lost my dad. So, growing up was tough, but I didn’t let myself be weak. I faced every challenge that life threw at me with determination and positivity. 

I am so sorry to hear that. But I have nothing but admiration for you! You're such a fighter.

Thank you so much for your kind words. 

So, what did you study during your Bachelor’s?

Well, I studied industrial chemistry during my Bachelor’s and now I am going to pursue a Master’s degree in infochemistry, which is an amalgamation of information technology and chemistry, jointly focused on solving diverse problems of the world. 

What brought you to chemistry?

I believe what fascinated me was its various applications in everyday life – from healthcare to sustainability. Chemistry is one of the core fields that has been driving global innovation. A famous Nobel laureate once said that chemistry contributes to more than 35% of the world’s GDP. So, as humans, we should always aim to utilize the power of chemistry to drive innovation and growth. 

Wow, that’s pretty nice. And how did you come across this program?

I came across a few posts about this program on social media. I was really impressed by the cool stuff that members of the related research group were involved in. I was always interested in upgrading my tech skills and this program offered me a chance to do exactly that! It really motivated me and gave me hope that I will be able to attain my dreams if I join them and learn from them.

Did you get a chance to interact with the research groups yet?

A few hours before our conversation, I had to do a presentation in front of the head of my program. Honestly, I was feeling a bit nervous, but I think I nailed it. The teachers and colleagues in this lab are amazing. Their knowledge is so advanced and they are so skilled. Our lab works in collaboration with a company that deals with analytical tools for chemistry research. I can’t wait to learn more about them and get acquainted with everyone in this group.

Did you encounter any obstacles while applying to Open Doors, winning it, and ultimately coming to St. Petersburg to study at ITMO? 

This was my second time applying for Open Doors, so I was quite familiar with the course of events. Hence, it was a pretty smooth experience. I applied for two tracks, namely Chemistry & Materials Science and Earth & Environmental Sciences for Sustainability. I won in both tracks, but I had to choose one and I went with the first one. The consequent documentation work and the long wait to get my study visa was making me quite impatient. But finally, I got everything ready, boarded the flight, and traveled to St. Petersburg to commence a new chapter of my life.

How have you been feeling since you arrived here?

I arrived here three days ago and today is my first time out in the streets of St. Petersburg. I found helpful and friendly people everywhere. I took the tram and the metro from my dorm to reach ITMO today and a few people on the way helped me navigate the city. I was unsure which line to board and where to deboard, but my co-passengers and even the driver of the tram helped me a lot. At ITMO, I also found many helpful people, including you, who helped me through the documentation process. So, I would say that my first day out has been quite positive and fruitful.

That’s so nice to hear! I hope you have more positive experiences in St. Petersburg. 

Thank you so much for your wishes.

Which dormitory are you living in?

I am living in the dormitory located on Belorusskaya St. 6. I share my room with two guys, one from Zimbabwe and the other from Congo. They are such great people and I have already become good friends with them. The dorm is very neat and equipped with everything that a student might need. There’s a big Lenta supermarket nearby where you can find every item you need. The only downside is its location.  It is quite far from the university campuses, albeit well-connected by public transport. 

Going forward, what are your main goals?

My short-term goals are to get involved in high-quality research, earn good grades in my studies, and improve my professional network. My long-term goal is to pursue a PhD elsewhere, probably in the USA. My target is to be a PhD student at MIT or Harvard. 

Wow, that’s so inspiring. I wish you good luck. What research area appeals to you the most?

I wish to work in the healthcare sector, where I want to apply the concepts of chemistry to combating diseases. I believe with the rapid advancements in chemistry, solving critical challenges in healthcare will become easier. I hope to refine it further with the help of my supervisor and the partner company.

Finally, I would like you to share some advice for our readers, who might be future students at ITMO.

I believe ITMO is a great university with lots of opportunities. This university has teachers who are knowledgeable and skillful. So we have a lot to learn here. However, there are a few things that I am a bit sketchy about. First of all is the language barrier. If you don’t know Russian, it will be a challenge for you to survive comfortably here. The second is the amount of stipend that a Master’s student receives. While it can be increased on the basis of good performance, I don’t think it's enough to live comfortably. So, finding part-time jobs is a necessity for students who don’t have other financial backups.

Besides that, ITMO is a top university and I would urge everyone to come here if this is what their heart desires!