Russia to Train Doctors in Coding and Coders in Medicine
A new campus in St. Petersburg aims to bridge healthcare and IT, preparing specialists in bioinformatics and artificial intelligence.
A joint campus launched in St. Petersburg by the V. A. Almazov National Medical Research Center and Shkola 21 is designed to merge medicine and information technology, training professionals in bioinformatics and AI.
Medicine Meets Programming
The campus is based at the Almazov National Medical Research Center. Medical students will learn to process large volumes of clinical data, work with AI models, and apply digital tools in everyday medical practice.
According to St. Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov, the new campus brings together practical medicine, scientific research, and workforce training for the digital economy.
Shkola 21
Shkola 21 is Sber’s educational initiative focused on training IT specialists. Launched in Moscow in 2018, it has since expanded to multiple regions across Russia. Tuition is free, and the program follows a peer-to-peer model without traditional lectures or instructors. Students work on real-world projects as part of their training.
What sets the St. Petersburg campus apart is its medical specialization. Participants study Python, data analysis, and algorithms, applying these skills in genomics, clinical statistics, and digital diagnostics.
67 Selected Participants
The first cohort includes 67 participants. Most are students from the Almazov Center, while others represent medical and technical universities across the city. Upon completion, graduates will be qualified to work in clinical bioinformatics, genomic data analysis, and digital research.
Separate courses in data analysis and artificial intelligence are planned for practicing physicians and healthcare administrators. Advanced training programs are scheduled to launch in spring and summer 2026.
