Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –
Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –
The School of Physics, Mathematics and Computer Science at the HSE in St. Petersburg has started 2025 with big changes: it is being transformed into SHIFT — the School of Informatics, Physics and Technology. VK is the key partner of the educational project. How students will study, what advantages does cooperation with a large technology company provide, and what awaits graduates of the new school — we tell you in our article.
What is SHIFT?
The School of Informatics, Physics and Technology is the successor to the Faculty of Physics, Mathematics and Computer Science at the National Research University Higher School of Economics in St. Petersburg. “The launch of the School of Informatics, Physics and Technology is a transition to a globally new concept. We are starting to build the faculty according to the model of an IT company: training will take place in conditions as close as possible to work in big tech. This approach will ensure seamless integration of graduates into the industry,” emphasizes Mikhail Mukhin, Dean of SHIFT.
During the training, the role of practical training will increase significantly. The educational process will be built jointly with VK experts and other industrial partners of the School, while maintaining a strong academic base. As a result, students will receive a relevant set of skills and competencies, and bigtech will become a familiar environment for them.
What specialties will SHIFT students master?
SHIFT is five bachelor’s degree programs and the same number of master’s degree programs: four in IT and one in physics.
Bachelor’s degree
Applied data analysis and artificial intelligence Applied mathematics and informatics Computer technologies, systems and networks Programming and engineering of computer games Physics
Master’s degree
Machine learning and data analysis Design and development of high-load information systems UX analytics and information systems design Computational biology and bioinformatics Physics
The flagship bachelor’s degree programs include new tracks: “Applied Data Analysis and Artificial Intelligence” — RS (recommender systems), CV (computer vision), NLP (natural language processing), “Applied Mathematics and Computer Science” — high-load systems, industrial programming, tool development. The tracks are available in the third and fourth years.
The master’s programs include elective tracks: “Machine learning and data analysis” – ML, advanced ML, “Design and development of high-load information systems” – software architecture, systems engineering, development management.
At the end of the second year of the bachelor’s degree, students choose one of three tracks to study. Each semester has two or three fixed courses, and they choose the same number as part of the variable program.
In the Master’s program, students also master compulsory basic disciplines, and half of the curriculum consists of elective subjects.
“The technologies, knowledge and practical experience that we give to students will be in demand, no matter how the trends in the IT industry change. We give them both a strong base that allows them to develop in different directions, and practical skills that can be applied for further development in other areas,” explains Mikhail Mukhin.
How will VK participate in the training of SHIFT students?
VK is involved in creating educational programs in the field of artificial intelligence: recommender systems, computer vision, NLP (natural language processing). Students will be able to learn from the company’s cases, prove themselves in group projects, receive advice from experts, and (importantly) receive personalized scholarships.
“We have big plans with VK not only to transform existing educational programs, but also to open project workshops. This is an important strategic partnership with a focus on the challenges facing businesses,” Mikhail Mukhin shares.
What partners does SHIFT have besides VK?
SHIFT develops cooperation with industry leaders. Among the latest important events: in September 2024, the HSE in St. Petersburg launched the educational program “Computer Technologies, Systems and Networks” with YADRO. In September 2025, a program on computer game development will start with “Lesta Igra”. Among the School’s important partners are 1C, BIOCAD, Gazprom Neft, Yandex and others. Experts conduct specializations and special courses, and also provide relevant cases, projects and tasks on which students learn.
How is SHIFT similar to an IT company?
Studying at SHIFT will be closer to the realities of a real IT company. For this purpose, it is planned to use different formats and approaches.
Balance between academic completeness and practical orientation. Programs are created together with IT companies, leading experts in their field, and projects are close to real tasks.
Organization of educational processes. During training, the Continuous Integration and Continuous Education approaches will be used. That is, all the knowledge that students receive in lectures is immediately applied in classes or projects. We will also integrate the Agile approach into training – when regular meetings are held, plans and tasks are discussed. Managers, curators and program directors will regularly communicate with students, and senior students will become mentors for first-year students and adapt them to life at the faculty, help them get involved in the educational process.
Technologies in education: remote access and online broadcasting of all classes. Thanks to the project management system, students will work in an IT infrastructure that meets bigtech. The LCMS system will provide convenient access to educational content.
Training takes place on real business problems in various laboratories: in the Engineering and Mathematics School of the Higher School of Economics and VK, the Laboratory of the Internet of Things and Cyber-Physical Systems YADRO, the 1C Project Center, the Laboratory of Bio- and Chemoinformatics, the HSE-Yandex Natural Language Laboratory, the Center for Machine Learning and Data Analysis, collaborating with Gazprom Neft, and the International Laboratory of Quantum Optoelectronics of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Where will SHIFT students study?
SHIFT will occupy part of the space of the new building of the Saint Petersburg Higher School of Economics — the Rope Workshop on Vasilievsky Island, a five-minute walk from the metro station. High-quality coworking spaces and comfortable seminar rooms will be set up here. Students from the first year will be able not only to work on cases of leading bigtech companies, but also to immerse themselves in the corporate culture of partners in branded spaces.
Who is expected at SHIFT?
SHIFT identifies personal characteristics that will indicate that undergraduate programs are suitable for an applicant:
desire not just to learn how to apply technologies, but to understand the principles underlying the technologies; desire to develop. Students will have to study hard, and also devote a lot of time to homework and independent work. You need to be ready to constantly develop and grow; desire to achieve super results. Readiness to perceive training at SHIFT not as a process, but as a project with a high result; personal responsibility. SHIFT, like an IT company, has its own corporate culture, which is built on mutual respect and responsibility to students and colleagues.
Graduates from non-core fields are also welcome to apply for Master’s programs. The main requirement is the readiness to master a new subject area and have high-quality basic training in mathematics and programming. During the studies, adaptation disciplines are provided to make up for non-core bachelor’s degrees. So the main personal characteristic here is motivation.
What does studying at SHIFT give you?
SHIFT graduates will have many advantages and skills:
a relevant set of knowledge and competencies that allow you to be in demand on the labor market and successful in your career. All programs are developed with the participation of the School’s industrial partners, primarily VK; practical work in the infrastructure of IT companies and in the project approach paradigm; relevant work experience in big tech: projects, teachers, mentors, internships; mastering fundamental disciplines – deep knowledge in mathematics and programming; networking. The best graduates apply for middle, middle positions and in a short time become leading experts in the strongest leading IT companies in the country.
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