Founding & Leading a Champion Team at Kazan Federal University
Role: Project Manager & Team Leader
Location: Kazan, Russia
Institution: Kazan Federal University (KFU)
Timeframe: Undergraduate Years
🚀 Project Overview
Upon enrolling at Kazan Federal University to study Oriental Studies, I identified an opportunity to channel my passion for intellectual games and strategic team competitions into a structured initiative. Recognizing the absence of a dedicated student group for logic-based games and team trivia, I founded and led a student club to foster collaboration, competition, and interdisciplinary engagement. This project required strategic planning, team management, and event coordination to build a sustainable, high-performing team capable of excelling in university and regional competitions.
🧠 Key Responsibilities
As the project manager and team leader, I drove the initiative by:
Team Formation: Recruited and onboarded diverse members from various faculties, ensuring a mix of skills and perspectives.
Program Development: Designed and implemented weekly practice sessions, strategy workshops, and internal tournaments to enhance team performance.
Event Management: Planned and executed game nights, practice tournaments, and travel logistics for regional competitions.
Mentorship & Coaching: Guided team members in communication, strategic thinking, and gameplay dynamics, fostering a culture of growth and collaboration.
Progress Tracking: Established systems to monitor team performance and adapt strategies to improve outcomes.
🏆 Achievements
Under my leadership, the team achieved significant milestones:
🥇 Competitive Success: Secured victories in faculty-wide events, including the Institute Cup for Intellectual Games.
🏆 University Recognition: Earned accolades during KFU’s Week of the Institute of International Relations.
🌟 Media Coverage: Featured in KFU student media for our tournament successes, amplifying the club’s impact.
Legacy Building: Established a sustainable club structure that continued to thrive post-graduation, mentoring new members and competing in local leagues.
🎯 Project Management Skills Applied
Strategic Planning: Developed a roadmap for team creation, skill development, and competitive success.
Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborated with university faculty, student media, and external competition organizers to ensure project alignment and visibility.
Resource Management: Optimized limited resources (time, budget, and personnel) to deliver consistent results.
Adaptability: Iteratively refined training systems and team strategies based on performance feedback.
Leadership: Balanced motivation, skill-building, and performance to maintain team morale and drive results.
🔁 Impact & Reflection
Leading this project taught me how to initiate and scale a vision from the ground up in a dynamic, competitive environment. It strengthened my ability to manage diverse teams, coordinate complex schedules, and deliver measurable outcomes. The systems and culture I established created a lasting impact, with the club continuing to inspire and engage students. This experience remains a cornerstone of my approach to project management, emphasizing initiative, adaptability, and team empowerment.