Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: Peoples'Friendship University of Russia –
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Vsevolod Sannikov earned 100 points out of 100 at the All-Russian Olympiad "I am a professional" in the direction of "Creative industries" and received a gold medal of the eighth season of the competition. He had been working towards his goal for more than one year! Previously, Vsevolod became a silver medalist in the direction of "Management", but dreamed of a 100% victory. We talked to a master's student of the Higher School of Management of RUDN (direction "Digital technologies in management", 1st year) and found out which project became gold for him.
You became a medalist of the All-Russian student Olympiad "I am a professional". Tell me, who at RUDN would you like to say "thank you"?
In fact, I would like to thank several people at RUDN University. Firstly, the head of our Higher School of Management, Anna Aleksandrovna Ostrovskaya. She always helps me participate in projects, writes letters of recommendation – both for educational initiatives and for project activities. Secondly, the representatives of our partner in the Digital Technologies in Management program – Alfa-Bank. They provided incredible expertise, especially in terms of digitalization, which I used when solving a case at the Olympiad.
Tell us more about the project that brought you victory. What is its essence?
This is a project of an all-Russian online event — the first concert of Russia and China "Sputnik of Cultures" in VR format. The theme of the event was chosen in honor of the year of cultures of the Russian Federation and China, and is also connected with the fact that in 2025 the World Monuments Fund for the first time included the Moon in the list of cultural heritage sites that are at risk of destruction by the forces of nature and due to the impact of social, political and economic factors. VR is currently the fastest growing segment of the entertainment and media sector in terms of revenue, so the project is not only important from a cultural point of view, but also potentially profitable.
If we talk about how a VR concert is held for users, then first they choose an avatar, can communicate with each other in a virtual lobby (chat), play mini-games and collect cultural artifacts about Russia and China (artifacts in computer games are special items that can influence the gameplay and improve the characteristics of the selected character – editor's note). Then the virtual host explains to users how to use the interactive panel. Plus, you can watch a VR teaser with the performance of recorded avatars of a symphony orchestra. They play an AI-generated composition, which is based on classical works by Chinese and Russian authors using folk instruments. The track is processed by a professional composer and sound designer.
And this is just the beginning? Everything that happens before the concert itself? I wonder what will happen next!
The culmination is the user switching to the VR concert control mode. The viewer becomes an active participant in the online event, and in the role of a conductor! And the success of the concert he conducts will determine whether he will protect the Moon from a meteorite fall. At the end, the successful player will be treated to an immersive VR salute with gratitude from the artists and announcements of future events of the project. In addition, he will have the opportunity to buy NFT merch (a unique digital object) for use in the metaverse of Genshin Impact, a very popular computer game right now. Users who show the best conducting results will also open collectible artifacts dedicated to the years of Russia and China in culture.
This is a truly unusual project. And what skill do you think you acquired at RUDN had the greatest impact on your victory?
If I had to single out one skill, it would probably be respect and love for other people. We have a multicultural university: they say that more than 160 nationalities are represented here. Of course, I haven’t counted them all yet (smiles), but when you see people from a variety of communities every day, it’s like you’re in a metaverse. It’s an environment where everyone tries to treat each other with understanding and a unique perspective. This is where something truly new is born.
Which creative industry leader would you like to work with – and why?
I think I am lucky: I work with strong experts and leaders of the creative economy almost every week. But I would especially like to develop cooperation in the music industry – because our soul, knowledge and practice largely come from there. I think the interdisciplinary and intersectoral format is only a plus for us – especially if we are talking about creating new shows for viewers. These can be immersive formats, new musical concepts, which we have been working on for several years. Our favorites are VR concerts.
Is winning the Olympics about points or something more?
Winning the “I am a professional” Olympiad is a really long and difficult path, like a real TV series. I participated from the second season. Then I won “silver”. In the sixth season, I chose a more creative direction — producing. I was eliminated in the semi-finals because our project on metaverses and VR turned out to be too new for the industry — there were few devices, low penetration. But two years later — the same topic, the same ideas — and we took gold. And with the maximum score: 100 out of 100. This was the first case in the history of the direction. So my advice is never give up. If you believe in the project, in your dream, you will definitely succeed.
If you could write yourself a short message the day before the Olympics, what would it be?
If we don't take into account any insights and tips that would have helped us in the final, then I would probably remind myself that our project — and it was connected with the audience and real people — should come from the heart. I would recall the words from the legendary RUDN anthem, the music for which was written by Galina Nikolaevna Trofimova: "I love RUDN, because it is first and foremost about people — and about love for them."
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