What is a trade union ["profsoyuz" which is a short name of "professionalny soyuz" - Ed.]? It is an organization of work people initiated for achieving common goals. ITMO University is no exception and follows the same principle when organizing unions for students where young people receive assistance in advocating for their rights and the pursuit of quality education.

Trade unions are voluntary organizations that were very popular in the Soviet Period when each school, university and factory had its own association. These unions helped its members with financial and other difficulties, and organized free events and trips. The trade unions were managed by so-called professional committees (in Russian "profcoms'). Despite the dissolution of the Soviet Union, this tradition remained. And now many modern organization have such associations.

What is the benefit of such a union these days? Now it is as effective and useful as it was a couple dozen years ago!

ITMO’s Profcom provides:

  • Discounted travel cards for public transport
  • Travel tours in Russia and abroad
  • Social, financial and legal support for students
  • Sports and edutainment events
  • Loyalty cards for students giving you discounts when using various services
  • Discounted and free theater, museum and cinema tickets and passes for edutainment events in St. Petersburg

How to receive all these privileges?

The answer is "join ITMO’s Student Union!" The good news is that both Russian and international students can do that, as its doors are open for everybody.

How to join?

You should sign a contract and pay a membership fee. If you have a scholarship, the sum equal to a monthly fee will be taken from it each month. If you are a fee paying student you can pay an annual fee once a year.

You can submit an application and ask your questions at 49 Kronverksky Pr, room 159a or at Lomonosova st, room 1217.

If it seems too complicated, ITMO’s International Student Council can help you! Its specialists and volunteers assist newcomers to settle in and answer any questions in English, Chinese, Kazakh, Tadjik and Uzbek languages.

Contact us: interitmo@gmail.com

Here you can read a story by ITMO’s international student Yaroslav de la Peña Smirnov who spends his free time by making trips organized by ITMO’s Student Union.