ITMO university started attracting international students after joining Global Universities association organized by 5-100 Russian Academic Excellence Program. It also resulted in changing of some admission rules by leading Russian universities. Thus “Quota Scholarship Program” gives an opportunity to accept more and more international students. According to Igor Morgulov, Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia, in 2015 and 2016 about 15, 000 newcomers can apply for studying in Russia. It is also planned to extend the quota.  This year ITMO University accepted 75 students from different countries.

The Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States, Compatriots Living Abroad, and International Humanitarian Cooperation “Rossotrudnichestvo” also offers extra quotas. Covering 80 countries this large organization gives future students an opportunity to submit an application for studying at Russian universities. Partnering with “Rossotrudnichestvo” ITMO University promotes itself to the international arena using facilities of the organization.

“It was my dream to study in Russia because its high-quality educational system gives students lots of opportunities,” shared Evgeniy Kostov, ITMO University student and participant of “Rossotrudnichestvo`s” program. I learned about this program from Russian community in Moldova. Its official site contains all necessary information such as acceptable professions, required documents and so forth… Those students who had some achievements in core disciplines by taking part in contests and Olympiads have some privileges.  I am happy that I`ve chosen ITMO University, which prepares the best IT experts and is situated in the most beautiful Russian city.”

To enroll to ITMO University international students also can submit applications for network consortiums like University of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO University) or Russian-Kyrgyz Consortium of Technical Universities (RKCTU). In 2015 some 32 students from China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tadjikistan started following Master programs at ITMO University, which offers special adaptive trainings in IT, optics and photonics that are taught in English.

“Professors of Jilin University talked me about this program,” said Van Kai, Master student of Jilin University, who follows a training course at Chair of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics. “My university collaborates with ITMO University for many years by providing research in computer sciences…I`m happy to stay in such a wonderful city and study at the university, which is a leader in IT, optics and mechanics…”

Currently thanks to new partners ITMO University`s community includes representatives of 62 countries.