Skoltech Global • Science & Tech Hub

💭 Welcome back to our psychological column BASE today, we're talking about what it feels like when a big goal is finally achieved. You've been through it all: putting together your portfolio, preparing for exams, worrying about scores, waiting for results. And now — the admission is behind you, your dream has come true! But instead of joy, you feel emptiness, exhaustion, and confusion. In our BASE (Balance and Self-care) support service, we continue to explore the emotional challenges tied to studying and beyond. In this new edition of our mental health column, we discuss how to get through the post-achievement period — when the euphoria has faded, and you have no energy left for the start of the academic year. Together with Alisa Plyaskina, lead psychologist at the HSE University Psychological Counseling Center, we've gathered key insights to help you rely on yourself during this difficult time.

🤩 Artificial intelligence is increasingly cementing its role in fields where the stakes are exceptionally high, and the demands for reliability and safety are paramount. On the sidelines of the 67th session of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) Working Group in Vienna, an event supported by the Russian Permanent Mission to the International Organizations in Vienna brought together over 120 diplomats and experts. Skoltech Vice President for Artificial Intelligence Development and Director of the AI Center, Professor Evgeny Burnaev, presented results from pilot projects showcasing how Russian AI solutions can be applied to data analysis and forecasting. As Professor Burnaev has previously highlighted at specialized forums, including the CTBTO seminar and the IAEA International Symposium on AI and Nuclear Power, these technologies, built on generative models and probabilistic methods, can effectively assist specialists with complex tasks. Examples include tracing potential sources of radionuclide releases using meteorological data and observations, or managing intricate engineering projects through hybrid physics-informed machine learning models. Crucially, these solutions are designed to complement existing expert frameworks rather than replace them, keeping humans firmly at the center of decision-making. As Deputy Permanent Representative Roman Ustinov emphasized, integrating such technologies requires the utmost caution. Participants also focused on core safety standards: safeguarding data, ensuring model transparency, and maintaining strict accountability. Following the meeting, discussions are underway to establish a dedicated expert group dedicated to AI applications within the CTBTO Preparatory Commission.

💡 "Strong scientists are always drawn to meaningful projects and brilliant colleagues whose expertise naturally pulls in researchers from all over the world." How does an international researcher go from being a student to a Russian citizen and find a true scientific home here? Julijana Cvjetinovic, Assistant Professor at the Skoltech Photonics, shared her personal journey at the session "Green Corridor for Scientific Discoveries: Attracting Foreign Scientists and Engineers to the Russian Far East," held during the Eastern Economic Forum. 🇷🇸 Overcoming early barriers and language immersion A decade ago, Julijana came to Russia on a Ministry of Science and Higher Education fellowships: "Of course, at first, there was an information vacuum and plenty of bureaucracy. Even though Serbian and Slavic languages are close, taking exams and defending a thesis in another language is a huge challenge. From day one, my main goal was to actively learn Russian and fully immerse myself in the culture." ⚖️ Navigating uncertainty The biggest question after her second year of Master's studies was how to build a future in the country: "I realized I wanted to stay, live, and work here. The positions I was interested in required Russian citizenship. Skoltech’s PhD program made all the difference: an incredible international environment, top-notch research conditions, and fantastic financial support. In 2019, right when I enrolled, a law was passed allowing students with honors degrees to get permanent residency on an expedited track. That took away the immense stress of constantly worrying about visa renewals. Having reliable immigration support at universities is absolutely critical for international students." ✨ A new home, a family, and Russian citizenship "I’ve come a long way from an international student coming from a small country to a Russian citizen. Last year brought two major milestones: my daughter was born, and I finally received my Russian citizenship! My journey shows that Russia offers truly unique opportunities for young researchers." 🎯 How to attract top talent? "Strong scientists are always drawn to meaningful projects and brilliant colleagues whose expertise naturally pulls in researchers from all over the world. It’s essential to build a clear, comprehensive path for international researchers: a strong education, a great team, and the right conditions for families." The panel was moderated by Alexander Vayno, Director of the Young Professionals Directorate at the Agency for Strategic Initiatives (ASI). Other speakers included Boris Korobets, Rector of FEFU; Irina Korotkova, CEO of the Agency for Attracting International Talents to Russia; Denis Sekirinsky, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation; Elena Kharisova, CEO of the Russky Innovative Science and Technology Center (INSTC) Foundation; Lyudmila Shcherbakova, President of Velfarm Group; alongside session participants Khashayar Sadeghi, Associate Professor at Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, and Tarek Nabil Salim Farouni, Associate Professor at the Higher School of Economics. Julijana Cvjetinovic also took part in a meeting between Yury Trutnev, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation and Plenipotentiary Presidential Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District, and the leadership of the Russky INSTC, where they discussed strategies for attracting leading researchers and forming high-performing scientific teams. Earlier today, Russian President Vladimir Putin instructed the government to develop a dedicated program for attracting Russian and international scientists to the Russian Far East. To support this initiative, the Russky INSTC is launching the "100+ Scientific and Engineering Teams for Far Eastern Companies" program, which will combine grants, the infrastructure of upcoming research and educational clusters, and comprehensive relocation support for specialists and their families. Skoltech is part of the VEB.RF Group.