The event is organized by ITMO’s Alumni Association. At the beginning of March, it launched a new system of communication with alumni, which is responsible for registration process and informing its participants about forthcoming events interesting for alumni and further education programs. Those who join the Association become participants of a loyalty program, which offers them special bonuses. For instance, the alumni are offered a discount on various training programs, an opportunity to use ITMO’s labs for their research, visit the university’s events for free and get contacts of potential partners among researchers and students.
Participants of the Alumni Week learned about new scientific and technological trends as well as business techniques. The organizers talk about how ITMO can assist ex-students in developing their careers and what competencies and skills are the most relevant in the job market nowadays. On the last day of the event, the most active members of the Association will be awarded.
ITMO.NEWS interviewed several alumni who graduated from ITMO University but still keep in touch with it.
Askar Akaev, first president of the Kyrgyz Republic, graduated from ITMO in 1968 (the Department of Computation Technologies).
I regularly visit ITMO, once I even gave a speech here. I stay in communication with my peers including Taufik Aliev who serves as the head of the Department of Computation Technologies. We have lots of common things as we started our research and pedagogical career together. I am proud that one of my groupmates headed this department and now trains future experts in the field of computer technologies, which is sought-after these days.
I appreciate ITMO’s concept of flexibility and openness. It is very important to exchange experience with international scientists by inviting leading researchers from overseas and sending our specialists. It increases the quality of education and research provided by the university.
Lev Novikov, graduated from ITMO in 1962 (the Faculty of Radioengineering).
I often visit ITMO’s events including anniversaries of the graduation. Every time I come back here I am grateful to the University, as education gave us freedom and empowered us to develop space industry. We had wonderful teachers that made us enthusiastic and motivated to study.
Having graduated we started working at leading enterprises. All of us are happy that we created lots of things for the wellbeing of our city and country. I wish students to be active, work hard and attain success.
Marina Melnichuk, graduated from ITMO in 1989 (the Faculty of Physics and Engineering).
I often visit ITMO – love is what makes me coming back here every time. This feeling became a family trait – one of my sons studies here, another has already graduated!
Marina Melnichuk
I keep in touch with my groupmates – in 2019 we will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the graduation. I think that modern universities have to support these contacts, as it is necessary for everybody. Graduates are always interested in the changes and achievements of the university.
Konstantin Bulgakov, graduated from ITMO in 2004 (the Instrumentation Technologies Department).
I visited ITMO about five times after my graduation. Since 2004 it has changed and made a significant progress. As of now, it has everything youth need. I really like its rebranding.
Student life is the best period! I still communicate with my ex-groupmates. I like coming here to remind myself how it was and meet old friends.
Konstantin Bulgakov
Before coming I registered on the website of the Association. I think that it is very important for the university to keep in touch with its alumni – thanks to this the representatives of different fields and generations can exchange their experience.
Alexandra Tupic, graduated from ITMO in 2007 (the Faculty of High-Precision Mechanics and Technologies).
I often visit ITMO’s lectures and conferences related to my field. I focus on tool engineering. I was working on a microdevice for molecular diagnostics for over six years and then I used the results of the project to defend my candidate thesis.
ITMO University has a specific atmosphere – it is open to everyone. When I was a student, future physicists, economists and specialists in humanities communicated and created joint projects. This interaction helped us go beyond borders.
