Applicants Meet ITMO Deans: Face-to-Face & No Barriers

As explained by Alexey Itin, an executive secretary of ITMO’s Admissions Office, pre-enrollment meetings with deans imparts far more than just answer to applicants’ questions – this is a chance for them to meet their future mentors who will guide them throughout their studies, academia, research, and projectwise. Furthermore, by interacting face-to-face, both parties can see whether they share values and priorities or not; and applicants who will visit the Admissions Office in person will be able to explore the university and its infrastructure, take in its atmosphere, and draw inspiration from deans and current students’ insights.

“Program heads and deans can not only provide versatile and structured information about their faculties but also answer applicants’ questions about future prospects and development strategies. Such initiatives allow prospective students to experience one of ITMO’s key values – namely, openness – early on. As they submit their documents, they will see that here they can avoid bureaucracy and talk to the head of their program face-to-face. The same approach will be preserved afterwards. Our employees of any kind are not “celestial;” these are people who you can discuss issues and shape your future career with. This way, we can attract students with a similar value system and views on learning,” emphasizes Alexander Mayatin, the head of ITMO’s Information Technologies and Programming Faculty.

One of the most popular questions was about future workplaces and roles, followed by questions on combining work and studies and programs’ study load. Daria Denisova, the head of the Science Communication Master’s program, noted that students and their parents also inquired about internships, stipends and project activities, and career opportunities offered by the program and its partners. 

“It’s crucial for our prospective and current students – but also for us, as well – to know that deans and professors who are in charge of their education haven’t lost touch with reality. On the one hand, we learn what challenges our applicants have to tackle when getting into the university and find a way to adapt and help them on their journey. But on the other – we also get to know our future students. Each year, we see new people, with different requests, and we, too, should follow suit, as well as ask directly about their demands, expectations, and skills and knowledge they would like to receive here,” says Aleksandra Vatian, the dean of ITMO’s Faculty of Applied Informatics. 

Andrey Karsakov, the head of ITMO’s Game Development School, believes that one of the major tasks for deans is to receive feedback and understand the needs and requests of prospective students. Although applicants can communicate with the university’s staff at conferences, competitions, or any other event, this initiative, held as part of this year’s admissions campaign, allowed them to do that the most comfortable way – at a set time and with no distractions.

“I wanted to learn the differences between educational programs, as well as what skills and knowledge I will have after graduation, and what internship opportunities are available out there. I could find information about the university, admissions requirements, and programs on the official website – but a live chat with its representatives is most efficient. I am so glad that I was able to meet the faculty’s staff and have an indeed productive conversation with them. I once again know I made the right choice,” shares Grigoriy Ivanov, an ITMO applicant.

Among other attendees were Semyon Kraev, the dean of the Artificial Intelligence Technologies Faculty; Andrey Anfinogenov, the dean of the Faculty of Technological Management and Innovations; Pavel Belov, the head of the School of Physics and Engineering; Alexander Menshikov, the dean of the Faculty of Secure Information Technologies; and Elena Borisova, the director of the Student Services Office.