Topper’s talk: Subrajit Barua talks about winning his dream – admission in ITMO, Russia by bagging a rank 4th worldwide in The Open Doors International Masters Challenge Olympiad in the subject area of “Biology and Biotechnology”

– Subrajit Barua, ITMO University, St. Petersburg, Russia

 “Work smart, not hard”

I had no idea where I would end up after my graduation but I always dreamt of doing something different. Greetings to everyone, this is Subhrajit Barua, a student of M.S Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at ITMO University, St. Petersburg, Russia. I am a winner of The Open Doors International Masters Challenge Olympiad (https://od.globaluni.ru/en/)  securing 4th rank worldwide in the subject area of “Biology and Biotechnology”.

Towards the end of my 5th semester of U.G, I started planning about the next phase of my life. I wanted to pursue a Master’s degree program where I would get a perfect blend of academic and industrial experience. I was considering Russia for a long time and had been in touch with ITMO University since 2018. But studying in a foreign university involves a lot of monetary loads. Naturally, I started looking for scholarship opportunities when I came across The Open Doors International Masters Challenge Olympiad. 

This scholarship exam is only for international students, i.e. students who are not a citizen of Russia, organized by the Association of Global Universities in association with The Ministry of Science and Education, Russia. I had to go through a multi-step process that involved two main rounds: the portfolio contest and the proctored examination.

Some important tips for aspirants:

•       Have patience: Applying for an international scholarship is a long process. In my case, it took 11 months and 6 days to get enrolled into my dream university from the day of registration. So, patience is key!
•       English Language Test: It is mandatory to have an English Language test result while applying for the Open Doors scholarship. Russia accepts both IELTS and TOEFL, so you can take any one of them. A score of B2 (CEFR) or higher is good to go.
•       Indulge in scientific activities: Going international is not only about marks but about your all-round development. It is my advice to all the aspirants to participate in scientific conferences, online courses, quizzes, projects, etc.
•       Work and Write: Your hands-on experience is the most important asset you have. Therefore, make it a point to get involved in research projects and if possible, publish your work in journals. Your 2-month internship will come very handy here. So, do your internship seriously.
•       Extra-curricular activities: All work and no play make Jack a dull boy! Get involved in various extra-curricular activities, volunteering, sports, etc. Leadership is greatly valued in international competitions.
•       Biology at your fingertips: Keep in touch with all the concepts of Biology. Even if you are a fan of recombinant DNA technology, do not forget to revise the basics of botany or enzymology. Yes, only the basics will do, there is no need to spend sleepless nights preparing!

It is very important to have a cool head with lots of patience. The support staffs of Open Doors are very helpful. If you face any problem, simply send them an e-mail.

Getting a full-time government scholarship is a dream come true for me. I never imagined that I would secure 4th rank globally. This result has only boosted me up to dream and dream bigger!

Exciting news guys! The Open Doors scholarship registration for the academic year of 2021 is now open! The online registration will go on until the 15th of September 2020. So, what are you waiting for? Buckle up, fasten your seat belts and get ready for lift-off!

You can find all the necessary information about the scholarship exam on their website: https://od.globaluni.ru/en/

Good luck to all the aspirants! Never settle!

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