The network collaboration agreement was signed by the university, schools, kindergartens, and the Information and Methodology Center of the Petrogradsky District. Members of the new cluster will get access to AI expertise on all levels – from administrative staff to students. The first events are scheduled for March: teachers will attend a two-month professional education course AI Tools in Teaching. June will see the launch of the competition for lesson plans tailored for the age of AI. Additionally, teachers will receive mentorship on preparing young talents for competitions, while students themselves will attend workshops on AI foundations.
“At ITMO, we actively implement AI in science, business, and higher education; in the past two years, we’ve started working in partnership with schools. We see how AI changes educational processes in universities and schools and it creates similar challenges to which educators need to adapt. For instance, they need to explain to kids some complex AI-related concepts, the basics of the technology, and how it can be used ethically. This is where the synergy comes in. As one of the country’s frontrunners in AI, ITMO has accumulated expertise in the field and, as a socially responsible leader, is ready to share this expertise with teachers and students – so that together we can face the new challenges. At the new cluster, we will help teachers improve the educational process with AI and assist students in choosing their careers in IT or other fields intertwined with contemporary technologies,” shared Kirill Alexandrov, the first deputy head of ITMO’s Admissions Office and the head of Strategic Communications Department.
Photo by Dmitry Grigoryev / ITMO NEWS
The agreement was signed at the ninth pedagogical forum of the Petrogradsky District, with the new cluster bringing together 13 entities: ITMO University, the Information and Methodology Center of the Petrogradsky District (focuses on continuous professional education), four kindergartens, and seven schools. Next year, the cluster will expand its membership.
“The Petrogradsky District already has clusters in four different fields, where universities, vocational schools, and businesses introduce school students and kids to various professions and new technologies. At the same time, clusters give teachers access to new professional competencies and methodological insights. An AI cluster has long been on our agenda. AI has now permeated all areas of our lives, which means the skills needed to work with it will be crucial for kids who will start their professional paths in 10-15 years. We are happy to have ITMO as our partner in the cluster because the university doesn’t only have extensive expertise in AI, but also understands the givens of working in education and providing training for educators. Moreover, the university already has partnerships with schools and is ready to share experience,” says Tatiana Modestova, the head of the Information and Methodology Center of the Petrogradsky District.
Earlier, ITMO established a strategic partnership with the city’s first IT Lyceum, preparing its concept and faculty training program. Additionally, the university regularly hosts professional development courses for educators, as well as intensives on effective communication and conflict management for heads of schools in various districts of St. Petersburg.
