New generation leaders: gold medallists of the "I am a Professional" Olympiad awarded at the National Centre RUSSIA

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The awards ceremony for the gold medallists of the 8th season of the All-Russian Student Olympiad "I am a Professional" — a project of the presidential platform "Russia – Land of Opportunity" — took place at the National Centre RUSSIA. The Olympiad is held with the support of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation.

The "I am a Professional" Olympiad helps build the talent pool necessary for achieving the goals of national technological leadership, as set out by the President of the Russian Federation. Sergei Kiriyenko, First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office of the Russian Federation, addressed the participants of the awards ceremony for the gold medallists of the 8th season.

"Our country is facing ambitious objectives that cannot be achieved without a new generation of well-educated, determined, and energetic professionals. The 'I am a Professional' Olympiad has become a vital tool for identifying and supporting hundreds of thousands of talented students, offering them opportunities for professional and personal growth. As of this year, the Olympiad has become part of the national project 'Youth and Children,' launched by the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, which highlights the high regard for the results achieved by the 'I am a Professional' team. I would also like to note that over the years, Olympiad participants have formed a true community of engaged individuals who create opportunities for others and provide volunteer assistance wherever needed, including in the special military operation zone. Thank you for your work!" he said.

In 2024/2025, the Olympiad’s highest award — the gold medal — was awarded to 157 talented young people from 53 universities and 19 regions of Russia. 

"'I am a Professional' is an Olympiad for everyone who wants to test their strength and explore new horizons. There are no limits here — only your interest, ambition, and desire to grow. I would especially like to thank our universities and mentors who inspire students to take this important step in their professional development," said Olga Petrova, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation.

The Olympiad helps to identify the most talented students — true professionals of the future who will preserve and enhance Russia’s technological and scientific legacy.

"The greatest universities in our lives are people. Today, true professionals are here in this role. They offer advice, share ideas, and inspire you. Many say that those present here are the future of our country. You will be making very serious decisions that will affect the life of a vast nation – and perhaps even the entire planet. Never lose your passion for your work – for being true professionals. Love life and love what you do!" emphasised Deputy Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation Sergei Pershin.

"Today we are celebrating the gold medallists of the 'I am a Professional' Olympiad at the National Centre RUSSIA — a venue created on the initiative of the President to showcase the country’s achievements. Through your success, you are making Russia smarter and more inspiring, giving us reason to be proud. Each of you is the best in your field. I wish you continued success — you are capable of anything! A special message to those in the creative industries: your field is especially close to our hearts. The National Centre RUSSIA hosts many cultural and educational programmes, because you are the ones who shape the atmosphere of the country," noted Anastasia Zvyagina, Deputy Director General of the National Centre RUSSIA.

Each year, the Olympiad expands to include relevant new fields based on student interests and labour market trends. The tasks are practice-oriented and developed jointly by experts from 33 leading Russian universities, together with representatives of more than 700 industrial partners of the Olympiad. 

"The 'I am a Professional' Olympiad has been successfully uniting top educational institutions and the business community for eight years. In the 8th season, over 700 companies became Olympiad partners, including those that supported several subject areas at once: Rosatom, Sber, TMK, VTB, Gazprombank, and Alfa-Bank. This season also welcomed major new partners — Metalloinvest, Severstal, Alabuga, and the Big Three. Today, thousands of Olympiad alumni are employed at leading Russian companies," said Alexander Shokhin, President of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs and Deputy Head of the Council of the Association of Organisers of the 'I am a Professional' Student Olympiads.

This season’s leaders by number of gold medals were the National Research University Higher School of Economics and the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, whose students earned 20 gold medals each. Participants from Lomonosov Moscow State University, Saint Petersburg State University, and Far Eastern Federal University also showed impressive results, winning 10 gold medals each.

"Dear friends, you have proved that perseverance and professionalism bring results. Over the years, 2,500 Olympiad participants have completed internships and placements at Sber, and 1,200 of them are now part of our team. The Sber team learns, creates, and changes the future every day — and we are always open to talent, to you. But wherever you begin your professional journey, remember: success comes to those who not only work, but create value for people and society. Your medal is not the finish line — it's the starting point. Ahead lies a fascinating path of professional growth," said German Gref, President and Chairman of the Executive Board of Sberbank of Russia and a member of the Council of the Association of Organisers of the 'I am a Professional' Student Olympiads. 

Olympiad participants receive priority consideration for job appointments in leading Russian companies and government bodies. In the 8th season, over 8,500 participants had the opportunity to undertake internships and begin their careers. Since the project's launch, more than 100,000 people have taken advantage of this opportunity. The most popular fields include "Software Engineering," "Programming and Information Technology," "Advertising and Public Relations," "Bioengineering and Bioinformatics," and "Biotechnology."

"Today, Russia’s economy faces ambitious goals, and the contribution of the new generation of young specialists is in high demand, as human capital is just as important in the modern economy as financial resources. The 'I am a Professional' Olympiad effectively multiplies this capital, and VTB Bank is pleased to support this effort. Since its first season, the Olympiad has consistently attracted young, ambitious professionals who are ready to take responsibility for real-world tasks and grow together with the country. The gold medallists of the Olympiad are a particularly valuable talent pool. VTB is always happy to welcome passionate and talented candidates to our internship programmes and among our employees," shared Andrei Kostin, President and Chairman of the Management Board of VTB Bank and member of the Council of the Association of Organisers of the 'I am a Professional' Student Olympiads. 

Among those awarded gold medals are the authors of promising scientific developments already making a significant contribution to the advancement of key sectors of the economy and social sphere. The scientific projects of Olympiad participants are helping to replace foreign technologies with domestic ones and reduce dependence on imported components and technological solutions.

"We live in a time when the world is changing rapidly. Employers need a new generation of professionals who can adapt to evolving circumstances and propose unconventional solutions. The 'I am a Professional' Olympiad offers a wide range of career-oriented tools for young specialists, enabling students and graduates to understand what will be expected of them in future employment, while employers gain well-prepared staff with bright eyes and proven expertise. Out of more than 185,000 participants in this season’s Olympiad, 157 became gold medallists — the very best, and a key part of the country’s talent reserve," assured Grigory Gurov, Head of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs. 

One notable example in the field of medicine and pharmaceuticals is the development of a drug delivery system through the oral mucosa, created by Olympiad gold medallist and student of Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Yana Dorokhina. This technology significantly improves the accessibility of modern biopharmaceuticals by avoiding their degradation in the gastrointestinal tract.

"The 'I am a Professional' Olympiad of the presidential platform 'Russia – Land of Opportunity,' has become a true social elevator for Russian students. More than 25 million young Russians have already taken part in the platform's projects, with nearly 1.5 million of them being talented students participating in the Olympiad. 'I am a Professional' is a unique career support system where every young specialist is given equal opportunities to realise their potential," said Andrei Betin, Director General of the presidential platform "Russia – Land of Opportunity." 

Another important research project by Vladislav Skosyrsky, a student at Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, focuses on the correlation between blood lipid levels and the processes of metastasis in cancer, opening up new prospects in the prevention and treatment of metastatic cancer.

"For eight consecutive years, we have celebrated young professionals — determined, energetic, and full of ideas. These are people whose knowledge and perseverance are shaping the future of Russia. The project has long outgrown the framework of a traditional Olympiad: it has become a community that unites talented youth from across the country. It is a platform where participants find their calling, continue their studies at leading universities, build careers and discover new horizons. The participants’ achievements are becoming increasingly significant: this year, the number of gold medals has grown by 13% compared to the previous season — a clear indication of the rising level of preparation. Every medallist is a source of pride for their region and the country as a whole. This is living proof that a generation of professionals is emerging in Russia — a generation with every opportunity for career and personal growth, and one that actively seizes these opportunities," said Valeria Kasamara, Head of the All-Russian Student Olympiad "I am a Professional." 

This year, the general partners of the Olympiad included the country’s leading companies, among them Sberbank, the Rosatom State Corporation, TMK, Gazprombank, Polyus, Nornickel, Alfa-Bank, Russian Railways, the Artificial Intelligence Alliance, VTB Bank, and Yandex.

Top-performing participants in the Olympiad receive benefits for admission to master’s, postgraduate, and residency programmes, as well as opportunities for internships and the start of their careers. Gold medallists are awarded prizes ranging from 100,000 to 300,000 roubles.

A rocket soaring upward with the Russian flag is the longstanding symbol of the Olympiad, representing the country’s scientific and technological leadership, its forward-looking vision, and intergenerational continuity. During the award ceremony for the gold medallists, the sense of pride in the younger generation — talented and ready to take responsibility for the future of their country — was especially strong.

The "I am a Professional" Olympiad is implemented within the framework of the federal project "Russia – Land of Opportunity," which is part of the national project "Youth and Children," and is supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation.