In March 2013 Skoltech conducted its second enrollment of students. The competition had more than ten applicants for each position, and it was necessary to select 50 students from more than 550 applications.
This year, a new subject, Biomed, was added to the two existing fields, IT and energy. In September, the students of the first two fields will begin training at the Skolkovo Innovation Center, while the biomedical students will go to partner universities - MIT and the University of Groningen (The Netherlands).
March 17. Future students after the Selection weekend
Among those accepted were graduate students, not only of the leading Russian universities – MIPT, Moscow State University, Moscow State Technical University (MGTU), and St. Petersburg State University – but also foreign: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), University of Edinburgh, Bilkent University, Beijing University, etc. The new students of Skoltech are representatives of different countries and cultures, but they share one thing: an interest in the creation of innovation.
“I decided to enroll at Skoltech because for me, this is an opportunity to use my knowledge in business, and also to think up some innovations,” said one of the new students, MGTU graduate Vladimir Zhukov.
Mohammad Amiral Islam is a graduate of the University of Edinburgh, and is now a student at Skoltech: “Already in my first year of college I decided that I want to be at the same time a student and an innovator. However, the problem that I constantly encounter was that studies in institutions of a classical variety do not include a combination of education, research and innovation processes. Therefore, Skoltech was a real godsend for me. It embodied what I could previously only dream of.”
“The students went through a very difficult selection, consisting of two phases during academic knowledge, leadership, and overall potential were all tested,” says Mats Hanson, the head of educational programs of Skoltech.
Selection weekend. Mohammad Amiral Islam (Right) discusses a problem with other applicants
“Students are the foundation of Skoltech. It is not enough to simply gather talent. We need a certain kind of student, corresponding to the specifics of Skoltech. For this reason, the proper entrance examinations are so important,” says Bram Kaplan, director of work with students. “The 'Selection weekend' gives the opportunity to meet each student personally.”
“The level of preparation and the natural aptitude of recruited students is impressive” said Mats Hanson, head of educational programs at Skoltech. “Those enrolled receive education in a unique program that combines the teaching of basic scientific knowledge with the acquisition of innovative skills. This requires a certain mindset, a focus on solving pressing global challenges.”
Skoltech is an entirely new institution. There are no well-established traditions or principles of teaching: The organization is just now being formed, and the first students are active participants in this process. On a par with the teachers, they shape the culture of the university and set the tone for all who come to study in Skoltech later. It is a great honor and a great responsibility.
“To be the first students in a new university carries great responsibility and prestige,” says Aidana Nurzanova, a student from the energetics program. “We are creating Skoltech together with the teachers, we will grow and develop together with it.”