ITMO Universe is a series of activities at the beginning of the academic year designed to help all first-year ITMO students get familiar with the university. Traditionally grand in scale, the celebration has featured many types of events over its history: open-air performances, appearances by celebrities and entrepreneurs, and practice-oriented workshops. This year, the event again included three thematic sections: ITMO Universe. Party (a welcome ceremony), ITMO Universe. Stations (activities focusing on student life and career opportunities), and ITMO Universe. Clubs (a festival of student-run organizations).

Glitter, ice cream, and Slava Marlow

The first part of the celebration, ITMO Universe. Party, took place at KSC Arena, one of the largest event venues in St. Petersburg. It hosted multiple stands by ITMO’s partner companies, including Yandex, Sberbank, Avito, Ozon, Alfa-Bank, and many others. A separate area was organized exclusively for ITMO’s top programs; a dedicated Q&A desk operated right in front of it. 

“Our top programs are one-of-a-kind interactions with industries. Each aims to train specialists who can get middle- (not junior-) level jobs straight out of university, and this is possible thanks to a great deal of internships, industry engagement, workshops, and hackathons, as well as lecturers and mentors who come from real-world companies,” says Artem Beresnev, the deputy dean of ITMO’s Faculty of Applied Informatics and the head of the TOP IT PRO program.

There was more to the event than career guidance. Students danced in the Just Dance zone, applied glitter to their faces, enjoyed ice cream, played games, and simply hung out together. There was a chance to learn more about what student life at ITMO has in store. For example, freshmen could approach members of ITMO’s Cheerleading Club in between their shows – and test out the rowing machines provided by the university’s Rowing Club.

“We do rowing, and we represent the best student rowing club in Russia. I actually started my own journey the same way – at a freshmen event. It was love at first sight, and it’s been three years now,” shares Sonya Chernykh, a member of ITMO’s Rowing Club.

After exploring all the stands at the event, students headed into the arena to enjoy the concert by this year’s headliner Slava Marlow – the rapper performed his hit songs, and the stadium sang along.

Networking, interviews, and business

Next up was ITMO Universe. Stations – an event where students got familiar with learning tracks, administrative processes, and career opportunities. Over several days, students got to explore academic mobility programs, dive into science, and learn the ins and outs of the modern job market: for instance, they discovered what top companies look for in candidates and even took part in speed interviews with experts.

Many students signed up for workshops on how to write a successful CV and improve their soft skills. At the coworking space on the Lomonosova campus, they learned about the university’s free career consultations – there, experts can help students choose the right career track or even guide them through a career change.

But when it comes to career and business, nothing beats advice from someone who has experienced it firsthand. This year, the event featured a talk by Alexey Lokontsev, the founder of the barbershop chain TopGun and the esports clubs Colizeum and TOPRACING, who answered questions from the audience, as well as spoke about business strategies and fears of starting a business.

Books, fencing, and community

At ITMO clubs, students can discuss their favorite book or anime title, play volleyball, practice fencing, volunteer, or join an orchestra or a theater. There’s even a place for all those who want to organize their own events. 

For ITMO Universe. Clubs, organizers put together a 15-question quiz to help students pick the club for their liking, which is a game changer if one is struggling to choose among many options. To take the test, all they had to do was scan a QR code on a screen near the stands. 

For several days, the event ran under the slogan “Clubs. Connection. Community.” The last word perfectly describes ITMO Universe as a whole: here, students got to know not just the university – but each other.