Digital Professions Program: Over 1,000 People Are Studying IT With ITMO University

Digital Professions in Russia

Supported by the Russian Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media and the University 20.35 (link in Russian) program, the initiative brings together 46 representatives of the EdTech market, including ITMO University. The program is designed for all Russian citizens with vocational or higher education wishing to enhance their digital skills and become qualified professionals in two to three months. Participants are not required to have a specialized background and have the chance to pay for their tuition with grant money or even study for free. In the latter case, the expenses will be split equally between the state and the future employer. All courses run online and include video lectures, online conferences, practical tasks, and chats with instructors. 

ITMO University was one of the first universities to join the initiative with three online courses: Web Development (by the Educational Center of Computer Engineering and Design), Data Analytics Technology (by the Higher School of Digital Culture), and Building Information Model (BIM) Design Automation (by the International Research and Education Center Autodesk).

Over 1,100 future IT specialists have already enrolled in the courses. These short-term training programs are a perfect fit for all those who would like to upskill or reskill.

“I’m 47 and I’ve changed careers three times during my lifetime, but it doesn’t mean that I’m still trying to find my true self. The world is constantly changing and we should, too. Although I’m a certified journalist and an IT marketing specialist, I decided to study data analytics. This course helped me improve my skills in machine learning, and now I can call myself a data journalist. I chose ITMO because I knew it was a top IT university and I didn’t regret my decision. I’m happy with the course! We had access to various high-quality educational materials, challenging tasks, and 24/7 support from our instructors – all this made the study process much easier and enjoyable. Though I’ve already finished the course, I intend to learn more about this field,” says Larisa Eremitskaya, a Data Analytics Technology student.

In early 2022, ITMO University will launch four new courses: Project Management in Artificial Intelligence (by the DH Center); BIM Technologies in Project Development and Management; Unity Developer: From Zero to Junior+; and Motion Design and Creative Programming (all three by the International Research and Education Center Autodesk)

Artificial intelligence and machine learning

The WEF report states that 97 million new jobs will be created by 2025 due to the increasing amount of produced data and the popularity of artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and machine learning. Nearly half of the working population will have to retrain to remain employable in the future market. To help the situation, ITMO presents the Project Management in Artificial Intelligence course, which will let specialists make a career shift in three months.

The course consists of four modules, among which are Machine Learning Trends and Models; Development of AI-Based Solutions: Process, Stages, Methods, and Tools; Hypothesis Testing and Presentation; and Fundamentals of AI Development in Python and Databases. In the course, both beginners and more advanced learners will discover how to implement and use AI technologies efficiently in their work. Not only will they master project management in AI and fundamentals of machine learning but also practice working in teams, developing prototypes and architecture, etc. The authors of the course also encourage students to practice self-training and will offer the most up-to-date and practice-oriented tasks. 

BIM and digital construction

Starting from 2018, Russia has been implementing an object lifecycle management system based on building information modeling (BIM), making specialists in this method amongst the most in-demand in the field. They will have to bring to life an array of national projects meant to complete a digital transformation in construction and architecture. 

Each of the six modules of the BIM Technologies in Project Development and Management course is a combination of theoretical material and practical tasks based on the experience of ITMO’s experts with cutting-edge technological solutions. The modules gradually unravel aspects of applying BIM technologies at different stages of a project. 

This course was created for architects, designers, engineers, Revit beginners and advanced users, heads of project departments, leading engineers, CAD specialists, utility systems designers, as well as anyone wishing to master BIM technologies in project development and management. By combining theory and practice, students of the course will go all the way from the basics to successful BIM coordination and automation of routine operations. 

Gamedev, Unity, and coding in C# 

Today, game development or gamedev is one of the most rapidly growing fields in IT globally with Russian developers leading the way. There is currently a shortage of experienced gamedev specialists. Moreover, the demand for cross-platform and multiplayer games is constantly growing and the threshold to the market is high even for experienced developers. 

In their work, both gamedev aces and fledgling developers rely on Unity, an advanced cross-platform game engine with an appealing user interface that allows them to boost their skills and stay in-demand on the market. Unity stands out from other game engines and has been the top choice in the field for many years. 

In the program Unity Developer. From Zero to Junior+ students will learn to develop their own projects on Unity. The course consists of five modules that analyze the special features of development with Unity, among which are a module system of components (which allows users to create objects by connecting functional blocks and not by inheritance), GameObjects with their own lifecycles and hierarchy, and much more. 

Motion design and creative programming

Contemporary motion design is one of the main tools in digital marketing and advertising. According to recent forecasts, 82% of all online traffic will be garnered by video content, which means that specialists in the field will spend more and more time creating good quality 2D and 3D animated content. Even web and mobile development are closely linked to animated prototypes, one of the subfields of motion design. 

The Motion Design and Creative Programming program focuses on the creation of digital design elements using vector graphics, 3D modeling, and procedural animation in JavaScript through Adobe After Effects. The program’s modules introduce the motion design industry, as well as the main tools that will allow students to successfully enter it. 

Students of the course will learn to code in JavaScript, apply Expressions and Extended Script, and create their own scripts, as well as automate animations and cut down on routine tasks in project development. The course also covers basic visual programming, as well as Cinema 4D, one of the most powerful tools under the belt of a motion designer. This software helps create and edit 3D objects and effects and is not limited to standard formats – it also supports integration with Adobe software, as well as CAD and other apps.  

ITMO.NEWS editorial team via Professional Education Support Office