ITMO in Top-Three of Potanin Foundation Scholarship Contest

Almost 60 ITMO University students have received this year’s Potanin Foundation Scholarship. Thus, the university came third behind St. Petersburg State University and Lomonosov Moscow State University. The students will receive a monthly stipend of 25,000 rubles until the end of their Master’s studies. 

Maria Alikina, SCAMT second-year Master’s student is among the winners - read her interview below!

Maria Alikina

Maria Alikina

I work at an industrial laboratory of ITMO’s SCAMT Institute, where I implement the commercial and scientific components of industrial projects. I am currently bringing to market a technology for the paper industry – and I will be defending my Startup As Thesis on this topic in 2021. 

I already had experience with taking part in scholarship and grant contests – my team and I won the Start-1 grant from the Innovation Promotion Foundation. I have also won the Presidential and Government (Russian and St. Petersburg) scholarships. 

It was my second time taking part in the Potanin Scholarship contest – now successfully! First of all, I wanted to practice writing CVs and letters of motivation. Second, it was a chance to get more experience in interpersonal training sessions that help develop leadership and communication skills. And third, naturally, is the financial support provided by the Foundation until the end of our Master’s studies. 

It’s hard to expect to win, as the competition is stiff and only students with the necessary background and personal traits get to the second round. This year, the online format seemed easier than the on-site one from last year. Communication inside each team was more efficient and soulful, maybe because many of us took part from home. 

If you want to take part in such a contest, be yourself, enjoy the process, and learn to promote yourself and your team. Also, rejoice at new experiences – it is always useful. 

(source https://news.itmo.ru/en/education/students/news/10182/)