ITMO Students and Their Teachers Awarded St. Tatiana Badges of Honor

Marina Serova, the head of ITMO University's International Students Learning and Support Center, received the Mentor of the Youth award. Since 2015, the center has been attracting talented and motivated international students to ITMO University and helping them adjust to studying and living in Russia. The center’s staff attend worldwide educational exhibitions to talk about enrollment opportunities and benefits of studying in Russia, as well as interact with the representatives of Rossotrudnichestvo in various countries. Apart from that, the university also offers the Foundation Program for international students where they can study Russian, become familiar with Russian culture, history, and traditions, learn more about the university’s educational programs, and select a specialization that matches their interests and training level. 

As noted by Marina Serova, the Foundation Program helps international students gain confidence in the classroom and truly consider themselves as part of ITMO.Family. Throughout its service, the program welcomed around 2,000 students from China, Vietnam, Syria, India, Nigeria, Ecuador, Venezuela, Colombia, France, Bulgaria, and other countries.

“I am so excited and thrilled to receive this award because being recognized as the mentor of the youth doesn’t only demonstrate that I do my job well, but it also pushes me to strive ahead. Talking to our students is very enjoyable and mutually enriching; I learn from them and they learn from me,” adds Marina Serova. 

Another ITMO awardee, Vitalina Kiyski, a second-year Master’s student at ITMO’s Faculty of Biotechnologies, earned an honorary certificate for her educational and social achievements. She is not only a successful student but also an active member of the community: she heads the ITMO Donors club, organizes Donor Days at the university, leads tours for university and school students, delivers workshops and lectures on biotechnology at Food Biotechnology Lab, coordinates volunteers at People Need You! club, and host events for international students as part of the Buddy System. 

“I began participating in community and volunteer activities as I got into ITMO University and have been doing so for the past six years now. I love helping and guiding people. I've never had a burnout in all these years. I feel that participation in a variety of events keeps me on track. It’s also of help that my work is seen. For instance, I have received a letter of gratitude from the Committee on Youth Policy and Interaction with Public Organizations for my assistance in organizing and conducting socially important projects, as well as won the title of Breakthrough of the Year in the contest by the People Need You! club. I’d like to thank everyone engaged in this event. Together we can do good,” notes Vitalina Kiyski. 

The St. Tatiana Badge of Honor, established in 1997 in St. Petersburg, is given to students and teachers at St. Petersburg's universities, as well as representatives from local youth and public groups, for their accomplishments in educational and social activities among youth. More than 1,500 persons received badges. 

In 2024, 27 teachers and 21 students received the award at the celebratory ceremony traditionally held at Smolny Cathedral, which was consecrated as the Cathedral of All Educational Institutions in 1835. The awards ceremony began with a religious mass. The awardees were congratulated by Alexey Demidov, the chairman of the Russian Union of Rectors and the rector of St. Petersburg State University of Industrial Technologies and Design.