Apart from the reports, each university had to present no more than three breakthrough research projects that they submitted to the strategic academic units (SAU) contest back in August 2016. The research projects (99 projects from 14 universities) have all passed a preliminary review which defined their relevance, significance and feasibility.

Each presentation had 10 slides and had to be no more than 10 minutes long, followed by a 10 to 20 minute discussion.

ITMO's representatives at Project 5−100's session

ITMO University was presented by Rector Vladimir Vasilyev, Vice Rector for Research Vladimir Nikiforov, Vice Rector for International Relations Daria Kozlova, Head of the School of Photonics Vladislav Bugrov and Deputy Dean of the School of Computer Technologies and Controls Sergei Kolubin.

"For the last two years, ITMO University has been amongst Project 5−100's leaders. Now, our achievements are acknowledged on the international level, as well," comments Marianna Chistyakova, head of the Office of Strategic Development, manager for Project 5−100. "In 2016, we got the 56th position in THE's Computer Science subject ranking, got the UNESCO award for the university's unique environment, and the "rising star" status from Nature Index Rising Stars. Our strategy — securing our leading position and increasing the qualitative results of our work — was reflected in our presentation: we are using our achievements, structure and unique environment to further increase our competitiveness on the global educational market".

Screen from ITMO's presentation

"ITMO University continues with the TOP-100 "game" it started during last year's presentation: ITMO is following its planned course and is demonstrating it through a mobile app, on the "smartphone", an indispensable part of almost everybody's life. On the ITMO University smartphone, everything is there: messenger, calendar, download history, contacts, and of course, Instagram," comments Anna Veklich, Head of Strategic Communications Department.

Among the goals for 2017 are: becoming a university focused on master’s degree and PhD programs, finalizing the structure of research and educational units as Schools, focusing education on the demands of new markets, conducting new breakthrough projects that respond to the global challenges of the 21st century and many others.

Screen from ITMO's presentation

Apart from results related to Project 5−100 and plans for future, the presentation also outlined ITMO's recent projects in its key fields. Cyber threats, data overload, population aging — ITMO's scientists are ready to face the challenges of the XXI century.

The recent project by the School of Photonics is devoted to solving the problem of transferring and processing the ever-growing amount of data by developing a whole new class of devices which will truly correspond to the new "post-electronic" era. There is also the interdisciplinary project of the School of Computer Technologies and Controls and School of Photonics on design, operation and security of cyberphysical systems. At last, there's the breakthrough project for the Russian healthcare system: a team from the School of Translational Information Technologies develops a new decision support system based on BigData and predictive modeling.

Screen from ITMO's presentation

According to Vladimir Nikiforov, the presentation and discussion took 50 minutes instead of the expected 30, and sparked many questions on both ITMO's research projects and general issues of the university’s development: online education and development of MOOCs, means to creating a university model focusing on master’s degree and PhD programs, forecasts for five and ten years on, and such.

"We succeeded in sharing ITMO's energy and drive with the members of the International Council, which is really important. One of the presentation's main ideas is that it's a real world we live in, full of real people. This is how we perceive Project 5−100, as well. It's not just about data and reports, it's our life," comments Daria Kozlova.

You can see ITMO's presentation in English here.