Published on: 2026-10-12
Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –
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Why do international applicants choose Polytech? What helps them overcome difficulties during admission and how does studying in Russia change their plans? Students of the Peter the Great Saint Petersburg Polytechnic University who were admitted thanks to winning in International Olympiad of the Association “Global Universities” (Open Doors), shared their experience — from the first steps towards enrollment to research in the field of artificial intelligence and obtaining a fully funded master’s degree.
For Al-Falah Marwan Mohammed, participating in the olympiad marked the beginning of a new stage in his academic journey. Coming to Russia and studying at SPbPU helped him move from merely being interested in artificial intelligence to engaging in research work, particularly in the field of multi-agent systems.
The Open Doors Olympiad changed the scale of what I considered possible for myself. I applied because I wanted a serious academic path in the field of artificial intelligence, but winning gave me more than just admission. It gave me a chance to come to Russia, enroll at SPbPU, and be in an environment that prompted me to think more deeply about research and what I want to do in the future, Marwan said.
The move required time for adaptation: the student had to get used to a new country, a different educational system, and an unusual pace of life. Gradually, he settled in and was able to focus on his academic interests.
Step by step, I found my place, gained confidence, and began turning my interests into real research in the field of multi-agent systems and artificial intelligence. Looking back, I see Open Doors not just as an application that helped me enter the university, but as a decision that opened the next stage of my life,
For Charles Iboka Ayo-Ita from Nigeria, English-language educational programs played an important role in choosing SPbPU. He is studying in the ‘International Business’ program. He recalls the preparation for admission as a lengthy process in which it was especially important to understand the documents.
I wanted not only to get an education abroad but also to get acquainted with a different culture and acquire new knowledge. At the same time, Open Doors is especially important for young people who cannot pay for their education on their own, Charles explained.
He learned about the Olympiad from a friend, although he had previously seen its advertisements on social media. According to the student, the document submission phase stretched over two years. The main difficulties were the processing of necessary paperwork, their legalization, and technical problems: due to a laptop malfunction, Charles almost missed the final stage.
The university helped him throughout the admission process with prompt communication: Polytech constantly sent me emails and responded very quickly to all questions, providing the necessary information before arrival.
He now advises future participants to study the Olympiad requirements in advance and prepare a complete set of documents: Prepare in advance, ask questions before submitting your application, and make sure you have all the necessary documents. Some think that submitting the application is easy, but that is not the end of the process. It is at the final stage that it is important for the entire package of documents to be in order.
Naif Mohammed Mahdi Al-Falah from Yemen enrolled in the master’s program “Intelligent Systems” at the Institute of Computer Science and Cybersecurity of SPbPU. The opportunity to obtain a master’s degree with full funding became one of the main advantages of the olympiad for him.
Nayif learned about Open Doors while searching the internet for scholarship programs to study in Russia. The selection included two stages: preparing an academic portfolio and an online exam in the chosen field. He had to prepare especially thoroughly for the exam.
The most difficult part for me was preparing for the second stage: it required deep knowledge of the subject and the ability to manage time properly. I reviewed key topics and solved past years’ tasks,
The student currently highlights the opportunities offered by studying at Polytech: participation in research and interaction with the international student community. He also emphasizes the university’s favorable academic environment.
Naif recommends future Olympiad participants not to postpone their preparation and to pay special attention to their portfolio and the exam: “Create a strong academic portfolio and practice before the exam. The most important thing is to believe in yourself and not be afraid to apply. This is an opportunity worth taking,” the student advised.
The stories of Marwan, Charles, and Naif show that the path to studying at a Russian university is shaped by various circumstances: research interests, the desire to gain international experience, thorough preparation, and the search for financial opportunities. For each of the students, the Open Doors International Olympiad became a way to get closer to their educational goals.
Registration The International Olympiad of the “Global Universities” Association ends on November 1, 2026. Foreign applicants who plan to study in Russia can still register and take the first step towards admission.
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