At that time, the Mechanics, Optics and Watchmaking Department became the first specialized educational institution in Russia to train specialists in the fields of fine mechanics and optics. After so many years, ITMO University, honouring tradition while following the latest international trends, still continues to be the leader in the field of optical and photonic sciences, mechanics and information technology, which in the days of Prince Nicholas, no one would have predicted.

In its 116 year history, ITMO University has raised hundreds of thousands of professionals, who have furthered science, developed new technologies, found their calling in teaching and other spheres of life. Of course, the birthday of the University is a celebration not only for graduates but also postgraduates, students, staff, partners and friends of the University.  

Today, in the context of global changes, the people who are close to ITMO University are spread out across the planet. As such, we created a virtual birthday card so that everyone even those far from the university could write some kind words to the university today. Friends of the university, not only from St. Petersburg, but from Mexico, USA, France, Poland, Latvia, Finland and other countries of the world have already left notes on the card. Below are selected greetings from ITMO university graduates using the card. Join in!

Fedor Tsarev, 2009 PhD graduate, world champion for programming.

Happy Birthday to my dear university! I wish you talented postgraduate students, successful graduates, and success in achieving ambitious goals. I wish ITMO University to always be more than a university.

Andrey Gulyaev, 2010 graduate

Dear ITMO! You change people’s lives.  For those who joined you, it was a turning point in their lives, and that is wonderful! And no less wonderful is that you change yourself: my parents remember LITMO Institute, I entered the St. Petersburg State University ITMO, and graduated from the National Research University ITMO, the point is not just in the name but what it stands for. You have always been in step with the times and now I wish you on this occasion to get ahead of the times!

Margarita Ivanovskaya, 1989 graduate

Congratulations to the wonderful and dearly loved university on such a significant date! My student years remain forever amongst my happiest memories. Let these walls be home to all the talent and geniuses who choose ITMO! And let future generations of students be worthy of their predecessors!

Dmitry Svetlov, head of the youth political department at ITMO University, 1999 graduate

Happy birthday, dear Uni! Happy birthday dear students! Happy birthday ITMO colleagues, on this day our ties are stronger than ever! I wish for you to love one another, I wish prosperity for ITMO! I wish you every success – let your work result in useful ideas and the creation of something new! After all, ITMO University is us, we are a team. Let our dreams come true, even the most outrageous ones!

Vanda Dymarek, 1986 graduate

I congratulate my university – LITMO, now ITMO University!  I wish you another 116 years of success in the raising up and educating young people from all over the world.