INRTU Applicant Day Features Motorcade, Employer Showcases and Prize Draws

Applicant Day, held under the slogan “Racing to INRTU”, took place on June 20. This year, the university is offering 2686 state-funded places across engineering and humanities programs.

The event began with a colorful opening ceremony. A convoy of vehicles with INRTU flags drove through the streets of Irkutsk to mark the start of the university's admission campaign.

Rector Mikhail Korniakov welcomed prospective students, noting that INRTU is among the 39 Russian universities tasked with advancing the country’s technological leadership. He also highlighted the university’s close partnerships with leading industry companies.

“Today, you begin building the most important project of your life. The first step is choosing a university and a future profession. We are looking for ambitious young people who are ready to lead, master new technologies and make their mark in science. Our industry partners are here today, giving you an opportunity to connect with future employers from the very start of your studies. Join our university and strive to be among the best. Congratulations and welcome,”

Mikhail Korniakov said from the stage.

After his speech, Mikhail Korniakov and the university's first applicant of 2026, Vadim Yaitsky, officially launched the admission campaign with a ceremonial fireworks display.

Vadim Yaitsky, a graduate of Secondary School No. 5 in Shelekhov and a former student of a specialized RUSAL engineering class, has chosen INRTU for further study. He is interested in metallurgy, chemical engineering and biotechnology.

“What impresses me most is the scale of the university and its atmosphere. There are a lot of friendly people here. During Applicant Day, I met members of the Student Trade Union Committee. At school, I was actively involved in volunteering and sports, so I’m confident I’ll find opportunities to contribute both there and in other student organizations,”

Vadim said.

The event was supported by the university’s industry partners, including Irkutsk Oil Company, En+ Group, the Irkutsk Aviation Plant (a branch of Yakovlev PJSC), Pharmasyntez Group, GV Gold, Gazprom Dobycha Irkutsk LLC, and the regional branch of the Movement of the First.

Company representatives offered career guidance sessions and rewarded active participants with souvenirs. At the En+ Group stand, visitors could try operating mining equipment remotely using a miniature open-pit mine model. The coal used for the exhibit was specially delivered from a coal mine in Cheremkhovo. Participants in the workshop also received bamboo-charcoal chocolate as a gift.

Recruiters also presented sponsored education opportunities. Pharmasyntez Group offers five places for Chemical Engineering students, providing financial support during studies and guaranteed employment after graduation.

Darya Turasheva from Shelekhov submitted an application for the Pharmasyntez sponsored program. She stands a strong chance of admission, having scored 225 points on her Unified State Exams, including 80 points in chemistry.

Gazprom Dobycha Irkutsk LLC is also offering sponsored education contracts to applicants pursuing degrees in Oil and Gas Engineering and Automation of Technological Processes and Production. According to company recruiters, competition for these places is intense. Last year, many candidates entering the selection process had Unified State Exam scores of at least 240 points.

Rampil Ivanov, who travelled from the Bokhansky District, won numerous prizes in quizzes and contests. He is determined to apply to INRTU and is particularly interested in the School of Subsurface Resource Management. His decision was inspired by his older brother, a professional geologist.

Many visitors explored programs offered by the Faculty of Secondary Vocational Education. Among them were Nikolay Kiselev and his son Ivan, who consulted the Admissions Office about applying to the Geological Exploration Technical School. The family is considering geodesy, attracted by its career prospects and combination of office and fieldwork.

The event also featured a prize draw with branded gifts from INRTU and its partners. One of the winners, Alexey Chibisov from Irkutsk, received an INRTU hoodie. He plans to apply to either the School of Power Engineering or the School of Subsurface Resource Management and pursue a career in engineering research.

Another winner, Sofya Sofyina, received an En+ backpack. A volunteer with the Movement of the First, she plans to study architecture at INRTU and says she chose the university because of its vibrant student life.