Maxim Radaev, a Master’s student at ITMO’s Institute of Laser Technologies, received a certificate of honor for his educational and social activities. He began volunteering during the pandemic in 2020: he joined the national #МыВместе (#WeAreTogether) movement, helped place orders and deliver food kits as part of the Русь (Rus) charity organization, and bought food and medicines for the elderly. The student was recognized with a medal and a certificate by the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs and a medal of the President of Russia.
Maxim Radaev now organizes his own social events for students in St. Petersburg. Last year, with the support of ITMO’s Department of Youth Policy, he held a classical ball at the Eliseev Palace for over 320 top students. Together with Mikhail Mun, a What? Where? When? contestant, Maxim Radaev seasonally hosts the Nevskaya Student League that brings together around 50 game experts from ITMO, St. Petersburg State University, the Saint Petersburg State University of Aerospace Instrumentation, Baltic State Technical University, St. Petersburg Electrotechnical University, St. Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering, the International Banking Institute named after Anatoliy Sobchak, and other universities in St. Petersburg. He has also secured a grant within ITMO Collab (a competition of students’ interdisciplinary projects – Ed.) and is currently leading a small team developing an app for learning 3D modeling and engineering design.
Still, Maxim Radaev thinks his pandemic activities were the most worthwhile period of his volunteering life:
“During the tough months of the lockdown, I helped Taisiya Semyonova who was a child during WW2. When I first met her, she was in her late 80s, had no relatives around, and felt unwell. She struggled to leave her house and do chores. I saw her twice a week for more than six months. On Mondays, I called her in the morning to see how she was feeling and what groceries she wanted so I could pick them up before I came to her place. We usually enjoyed tea together and spoke about her life. Each week, she thanked me, saying that seniors don't feel lonely because of people like me,” shared Maxim Radaev.

Maxim Radaev. Photo by Dmitry Grigoryev / ITMO.NEWS
The Mentor of the Youth award was presented to Anton Kabakov, the head of the Student Initiatives Support Department and the Patriotic Education Department at ITMO University. He organized his first student events over 20 years ago; and over time, his youth work ceased to be just a hobby – and became his career.
Anton Kabakov has devoted 15 years of his life to youth policy, social design, and education. At ITMO, supported by his colleagues and organizations, he developed and implemented a course on protection and actions during emergency situations, launched practical shooting and strikeball clubs, and promoted ITMO University among school students as part of the University Camps project. Furthermore, Anton Kabakov acts as a mentor at the student club ITMO.Pokrov and regularly collects and sends aid together with his students.
“Recently, my friend and mentor said, “You opened a new world to your students, instilled an idea into their minds, and now they’re your responsibility.” Their gratitude and feedback give me strength and inspire me to keep going. This award [St. Tatiana badge of honor] isn’t only an honor for me – it’s also a responsibility, and even though I received it, we still have much to do. I believe this wouldn’t be possible without my family, friends, and colleagues. It’s a sign that we are on the right track,” noted Anton Kabakov.

Anton Kabakov. Photo by Dmitry Grigoryev / ITMO.NEWS
The St. Tatiana Badge of Honor was established in 1997 by the St. Petersburg Eparchy of the Russian Orthodox Church, the Council of St. Petersburg Rectors, and the Association for Assistance to Spiritual and Moral Education “Pokrov.” The award is given to students and teachers from St. Petersburg's universities, as well as representatives from local youth and public groups, for their accomplishments in educational and social activities among youth. In 2025, 29 teachers and 19 students received the Mentor of the Youth awards and certificates of honor for educational and social activities, respectively. The awards ceremony began with a religious mass at Smolny Cathedral, which was consecrated as the Cathedral of All Educational Institutions in 1835.