Yandex Launches Math and AI Clubs for School Students
These are not just courses, but full-fledged preparation for the All-Russian Olympiad. Such training will significantly increase students’ chances of entering Russia’s leading technical universities without exams and securing in-demand, high-paying careers.
A Unique Opportunity for Students Across Russia
These two new programs complement the existing programming club, which since 2019 has prepared students for competitions ranging from regional to international. The curriculum includes lectures, seminars, and practical assignments, making them more than just courses—they are comprehensive preparation for intellectual competitions. Students in grades 8–11 will train for key AI-related contests, including the new AI track in the All-Russian Olympiad in Informatics.
Training is free and open to students from all over Russia, requiring only an application and selection process. This is a unique chance to gain deep knowledge in high-demand fields like AI, mathematics, and programming. Participation not only improves chances of winning Olympiads but also builds skills needed in today’s world—offering a platform for students to showcase their talent, earn recognition, and potentially enter top universities without exams.
For Russia, the launch of these clubs is a strategic step in strengthening the country’s talent pool in information technology. Active participation of Russian school students in Olympiads and international competitions boosts the nation’s educational reputation.
Laying the Groundwork for Innovation
These new clubs are not merely educational projects, but a foundation for future innovation. The AI club, in particular, looks especially promising. Its curriculum, developed jointly with the National Research University Higher School of Economics, includes mathematics, statistics, Python, data analysis, and neural networks. This approach prepares students for the emerging AI profile of the All-Russian Olympiad in Informatics.
The math club covers algebra, geometry, combinatorics, and even team-based math battles—making learning both informative and engaging. This structure develops both analytical thinking and teamwork skills.
In the coming years, interest in Olympiads—especially in AI—is expected to grow. The club model may expand to include robotics or bioinformatics. There are also plans for scaling: opening regional branches, developing distance learning, and integrating with educational institutions.
Yandex’s remote learning format could become the basis for an international project, offering high-quality preparation for AI and math Olympiads.
Graduates Who Win
Yandex’s programming club has already proven itself as one of the most successful educational initiatives. Among its alumni are winners and prize-winners of the All-Russian Olympiad in Informatics.
Other initiatives in this space include courses from Sber, Mail.ru Group, and online platforms like Stepik and Yandex.Uchebnik. However, these are generally aimed at overall learning motivation rather than Olympiad training. Yandex clubs stand out for their focused approach, strict structure, and competitive spirit—factors that make them unique.
The launch of two new Olympiad clubs is an important step in developing Russian IT education. It strengthens Russia’s position as a country with a high level of training in information technology and mathematics.
