Advanced infrastructure, intensive courses, open-minded
people : Students from Thailand share impressions of Skoltech and Russia
Press release Skoltech, Moscow, April 2, 2025
Five students from Thailand came to Russia for education and stayed for cultural experience and even watching aurora for the first time in their life. They opened up about what motivated them to choose Russia and Skoltech, what they think of the Russian academic culture, and how they adjusted to the new environment.
Skoltech is a private international university in Russia that focuses on six priority areas: from life sciences, telecommunications, and photonics to artificial intelligence, energy efficiency, and advanced studies. Established in 2011 in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Skoltech was listed among the world’s top 100 young universities by the Nature Index. The Institute offers MSc and PhD programs to students from all backgrounds. It hosts over a thousand students of 50 nationalities.
Thanakrit Lerdmatayakul received his BA in business administration in Bangkok and decided to continue his studies in areas related to artificial intelligence and data science. “After working a year as a data scientist, I tried to find a master’s degree program to pursue and came across the H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Skoltech Scholarship. My impressions from the Data Science program are better than I expected. The professors here are very good at what they are teaching, they are fluent in English,” said Thanakrit.
The student’s research explores generative AI in music. “I want to bring together traditional Thai music and artificial intelligence. Hopefully, in the end I’ll build a platform that will be an AI teacher for students in Thailand. Some students, especially in rural areas, do not have access to professional support from a teacher. This instrument can help them and make traditional music more popular.”
Keyyapat Tiputhai studied mechanical engineering in Thailand but decided to apply for Skoltech. “I study energy systems here. I decided to come to Russia because I knew this research area is well-developed here. I really like the environment and professors. People are very kind and easy to talk to despite stereotypes. My research focuses on developing a demand control system for Thailand, which seeks to improve energy efficiency in the country.”
Phuriphat Wongsuwan, who earned his bachelor degree in electrical engineering and also joined the Digital Electrical Energy MSc program, noted that Skoltech places a very strong focus on mathematics. “Professors here are very strong in their fields. The program has a very strong focus on the mathematical part, and it’s good because it can help me better understand everything.” Phuriphat pointed out that the program itself is very intensive with many courses and opportunities for students.
Rattamet Boonwong, who studies data science, didn’t consider Russia at first, but admitted that he had always seen Russia as one of the world’s leaders in space, so he decided to explore other opportunities in the country. The student agreed that the academic culture in Russia is more fast-paced. “Russia is the second country I have visited in my life. It’s very impressive, everything is different. It’s more difficult to study here, but in a good way. I have to study faster and go deeper into some topics.”
Pattapon Tanankakorn decided he wanted to broaden his horizons and study data science abroad after earning a BSc degree in biomedical engineering. He found Russia to be a perfect fit. “It’s a challenge for me, because I only had some basics of data science. My research project deals with blockchain, and my academic supervisor helps me with necessary information. I think that any educational experience in another country gives me much more than what I can receive only in my own country.”
The students also shared that they appreciate the Russian culture and the country’s level of technological development, as well as its infrastructure. A group of Thai students even traveled across Russia to one of its northernmost cities, Murmansk, to experience the real winter and observe aurora.
The H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Skoltech Scholarship is awarded annually to several students from Thailand to study for an MSc degree in the areas of data science, materials science, and energy systems at Skoltech. The program offers a full tuition waiver, monthly stipend, reimbursement of travel expenses, insurance, accommodation, and mobility programs.
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Skoltech is a private international university in Russia, cultivating a new generation of leaders in technology, science, and business. As a factory of technologies, it conducts research in breakthrough fields and promotes technological innovation to solve critical problems that face Russia and the world. Skoltech focuses on six priority areas: life sciences, health, and agro; telecommunications, photonics, and quantum technologies; artificial intelligence; advanced materials and engineering; energy efficiency and the energy transition; and advanced studies. Established in 2011 in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Skoltech was listed among the world’s top 100 young universities by the Nature Index in its both editions (2019, 2021). On Research.com, the Institute ranks as Russian university No. 2 overall and No. 1 for genetics and materials science. In the recent SCImago Institutions Rankings, Skoltech placed first nationwide for computer science. Website: https://www.skoltech.ru/.
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Oleg Sherbakov O.Sherbakov@skoltech.ru