A few months ago, I was on a call with a senior executive at a company in Western Europe, discussing a cybersecurity project. At one point, I mentioned my degree. He paused and said: "Stop… wait… wait… wait… ITMO University? In St. Petersburg? A modern and excellent university that changes thinking…" He didn’t ask what ITMO was. He already knew. That moment repeated multiple times throughout my career — in meetings and in conversations across different countries and industries. Not because I explained it, but because I didn’t have to — they already knew about ITMO University. But every time, that moment takes me back to Room 1007, Alpiysky Ln. Dormitory, where the change begins.

When I arrived in St. Petersburg in 2018 as an Open Doors Russian Scholarship recipient, I was a young man from Pakistan with no clear sense of what the next two years would turn into. I understood that I had an opportunity, but I didn’t yet understand its weight. At ITMO, success was not about memorizing answers. It was about learning how to think. I remember spending long nights working through problems that did not make sense at first. There were moments of real doubt — moments where I questioned whether I truly belonged in that environment. But over time, I began to adapt to them. I learned how to approach complex problems with patience, how to stay calm under pressure, and how to think independently rather than rely on predefined solutions. That shift — more than any specific subject — became the most valuable part of my education.

After graduating with a Master’s degree in Information Security, I returned to Pakistan to practice cybersecurity, but without a clear roadmap. The kind of work I wanted — international cybersecurity consulting — wasn’t something I could simply step into. So, I started small. In the early stages, the work was uncertain and often challenging. I still remember multiple projects where I realized halfway through that I might not be fully prepared for what was required. It was a defining moment — one that forced me to either step back or rise to the challenge. I chose the second option, to move forward, to face the challenge. That decision shaped the way I approached every opportunity that followed. Uncertainty didn’t disappear, I just got better at working through it. There was no single breakthrough. Just a gradual build — project by project, client by client, mistake by mistake — until one day I looked up and found myself advising the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service in the UK, the National Assembly of Pakistan, NewVest — a New York-based institutional fintech firm managing over $ 430 million in assets — and Mulago Specialized Women and Neonatal Hospital in Uganda, the largest specialized hospital in the country. During this time, I have delivered over 100 cybersecurity projects for organizations across all continents. Currently, I am a top-rated cybersecurity consultant who has worked with different clients across the globe — including enterprises, SMEs, government agencies, startups, and individuals. Today, I serve as a virtual Chief Information Security Officer for an international BPO company.

However, my experience in St. Petersburg influenced me in ways beyond my professional career. Living in a city like that — with its long winters, quiet streets, and rich history that makes you reflect whether you intend to or not — inspired me to write. I started writing during that time — not professionally, just to make sense of the experience. That eventually became a published travelogue book, "Ret Se Barf Tak" (From Sand to Snow) in Urdu (the national language of Pakistan). In the book, I captured the history, culture, rivers, numerous cities, museums, lakes, historical sites, and local traditions. It’s about the transition of what it feels like to leave one world, enter another, and come back changed in ways that are difficult to explain to others, but impossible to ignore yourself. I sometimes think it belongs in Russian, too. Perhaps one day it will find its way there.

My advice to the current students is simple: "Do not wait to feel ready. Clarity and confidence do not come before action. They come after. They come through the process of doing the work. Start small, stay consistent, and allow yourself to grow through challenges." And even today, whenever someone mentions ITMO and immediately understands its value, I find myself, for a brief moment, back in Room 1007, Alpiysky Ln. Dormitory — in that quiet space where everything once felt uncertain.

Because in the end, that is where the real change began.

I was born in Kabul, Afghanistan, and spent many of my formative years living in Dubai. Growing up across such diverse environments gave me a broad perspective on education, technology, and global opportunities. Despite the challenges faced by my home country, I have always believed that Afghanistan is home to incredibly talented and resilient individuals. This belief continues to inspire my long-term vision of contributing to education and technological development for future generations.

My academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science at Preston University, where I was awarded the DAFI Scholarship. This opportunity opened the door to an international academic path. Later, I received multiple scholarship offers from countries such as Canada and Italy. However, I made the conscious decision to join ITMO University, as I recognized it as one of the leading institutions for innovation and research and this decision truly shaped my future. At ITMO, I completed both my Master’s and PhD, specializing in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence in healthcare, and data privacy. During my Master’s, I had the incredible opportunity to study at the partner university EURECOM in France, too. There, I completed a year and an internship under the supervision of Professor Maurizio Filippone and was warmly supported by Mr. Philippe Benassi. My experience at EURECOM was truly special. It felt like a second home, just like ITMO.

During my PhD, under the supervision of associate professor Viktoria Korzhuk, I focused on ensuring the security and privacy of medical data in intelligent and IoT-enabled healthcare systems. At the same time, in the first year of my PhD, I joined CentryNex Cybersecurity Limited (UK) as Chief Technology Officer (CTO). This experience allowed me to bridge the gap between academic research and real-world cybersecurity challenges. Throughout my PhD, I actively engaged with the international research community, presenting my work at IEEE conferences held in Canada, the United States, France, Greece, Russia, Italy, and India. These experiences were incredibly rewarding, and I was honored to receive the Best Presentation Award twice, in Canada and Paris.

Today, I continue my journey as a lecturer at ITMO University and as CTO of CentryNex. I also serve as a Chief Editorial Board Member of a Q2-ranked Digital Health journal in the UK, contributing to the advancement of research in healthcare technologies. My work focuses on developing secure and privacy-preserving solutions for modern intelligent systems, particularly in healthcare. Currently, I am based in France, where I continue to grow both professionally and personally. I deeply value the culture of research, innovation, and collaboration here, and I am motivated to contribute to initiatives that support societal development and technological advancement.

Looking back, ITMO was more than just a university for me. It was a place that shaped my mindset, strengthened my confidence, and opened doors to global opportunities. My advice to current students is simple: stay consistent, be patient, and never stop learning. Take advantage of every opportunity, build international connections, and don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. Most importantly, believe in your journey even when the path is uncertain. I am truly grateful to ITMO for everything it has given me, and I hope my story can inspire current and future students to aim high and make a meaningful impact.