At ITMO University, scientists never pursue an outdated technology, even if they already have developed a strong foundation for it. The university does research only in the breakthrough fields, as its goal is to train sought-after specialists, underlines Alexei Itin, executive secretary of the Admission Committee. One such area is Photonics.

"Engineering is what moves us forward — that's what our country's leaders like to repeat. To improve the living conditions, we have to constantly develop, improve, think up new things. This becomes possible only with the help of engineering. It is also essential to commercialize technologies, not just develop them", explains Mr. Itin.

ITMO University. Alexei Itin

For this purpose, ITMO has business incubators, accelerators, an engineering center, Project Management and Innovation Department and other departments that help students and researchers bring their high-technology products to the market. A good example of such activity is the recent selling of a part of the "Quantum Communications" SIE to a private company. The small innovative enterprise was founded by the university's graduate, head of the Quantum Informatics International Laboratory of the International Institute "Photonics and Optical Information Technology" Artur Gleim and has become a major player on the market in only a few years.

Photonics is not only about studying the visible light range. It's a vast field of science that also deals with infrared and ultraviolet light range, metamaterials, and development of quantum computers, which can be called today's challenge to humanity — as we live in the information era. What is more, lasers can be used to solve different engineering tasks, adjust devices and power levels.

Open Day at the School of Photonics

"Photonics envelops a great number of tasks, both fundamental and application, where new devices and materials are developed. This field of science has to do with all kinds of activities — from programming to communications — and can literally improve the world. For example, everyone knows that there is an optical cable connecting Europe and America that transfers data. The amount of data constantly grows, and even now 10% of the world's electrical power is used to process it. Fiber optics can decrease energy consumption, as there is no heat loss. This market is constantly developing: LCD-displays, flexible displays, etc.", shares Andrei Bogdanov, staff member for the Nanophotonics and Metamaterials Department.

He added that during the last few years, ITMO University has considerably improved its international relations with scientists and research centers that specialize in photonics. Thus, students who'll choose this School will have the opportunity to do internship programs at the world's leading laboratories, participate in international conferences and the like.

Open Day at the School of Photonics

The School's graduates get jobs in many different areas. They can work at enterprises, IT-companies, do robotics or solve tasks in medical fields, develop navigation and communication devices. The proportion of students that work in their field is always most high — as ITMO is one of Russia's leading universities, a key participant of the Project 5−100 and is constantly improving its positions in international rankings.

Those who came to the Open Day of the School of Photonics could also join tours of the existing laboratories and watch a piece from a performance created by Lux Aeterna theatre in collaboration with the Creative Light Design School. Artem Petrenko, a student for the School, told the future applicants of the extracurricular activities at the first non-classical university, including the KronBars sports club and different student laboratories — for example, the Laser technology School of the Faculty of Laser and Light Engineering. Artem underlined that those who do good at studying get special scholarships from the university.

Open Day at the School of Photonics

Alexei Itin, the executive secretary of the Admission Committee, also reminded that to apply for studying at the School, an applicant must have no less than 60 points for every Unified State Exam. And that's only the minimum requirements — the average score of applicants to the School last year was 80 points.

If you want to get any additional information on the School and its programs, here’s the link.