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‘A wide range of fundamental issues will be discussed’

Dr. Pablo Spiller, Jeffrey A. Jacobs Distinguished Professor of Business and Technology at the University of California, Berkeley, will give an honorary lecture at the XIV HSE April International Academic Conference on Economic and Social Development. He gave a special interview for the HSE News Service.

— Dr. Spiller, it’s a great honor to see you actively supporting the HSE April Conference. What would you specify as the most acute and sensitive issues for you at the conference?

— The efficiency and efficacy of public procurement is fundamental for the workings of governments at all levels.  Public procurement, however, is directly affected by the workings of the nation’s institutions.  So, understanding the interrelations between procurement and the institutional environment in which governments and firms operate is key to the design of effective procurement methods.  In this conference a wide range of topics related to this fundamental issue are going to be discussed, and I look forward to hearing and contributing to the discussion.

— What hopes and fears do you have for the world economy in 2013 and especially for BRIC countries?

— While the developed countries are still trying to get rid of the financial excesses of the last decade, many developing countries (including BRIC nations), while being on a better financial footing, still have fundamental institutional weaknesses that are going to keep them from exploiting their human and resource potential.  While some countries like Brazil have been able to move up the institutional scale, and hence place themselves in a good position to sustain growth, others, such as African countries – who are experiencing rapid growth, may see their potential limited by those same weaknesses. Paying attention to those institutional shortcomings is fundamental.

— You’ve been researching the issues of contracts and regulations in different countries and areas. The issue of procurement is a major focus in the Conference’s programme. What’s your view of this specific issue for Russia and what should be done to improve results?

— That, I hope to answer in a week's time.

— The University of California, Berkeley has been “your” university since 1995. What’s the key message of your teaching philosophy? Has it changed much over the years?

— My teaching philosophy has been affected radically by my experience at the University of Chicago, where I was taught that challenging the status quo, whatever it is, should always be the guiding principle for an academic.  In that sense I try to instill in my students an inquisitive and critical approach.  Not only should any research start with the word “why”, but also it should challenge preconceptions and established ideas. This is the only way we can move knowledge forward, even though it may be difficult.

Anna Chernyakhovskaya, specially for HSE news service

See also:

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Keeping Up with the Neighbours: Envy as a Driver of Economic Growth

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'The Emerging Trends in Africa Will Shape the World Order, and We Need to Be Prepared for That'

Africa has the potential to become a new economic giant. Today, African countries are interested in comprehensive cooperation and strengthening their positions in the global arena, and they look forward to receiving assistance from Russia and China in developing their technology, economy, and social sphere. Effective engagement with Africa requires training a greater number of professional African studies specialists. The XXIV Yasin (April) International Academic Conference at HSE University featured a plenary session on 'Africa in a Changing World'.

Learning a Foreign Language Can Delay the Onset of Dementia

Dementia, a debilitating form of cognitive impairment, can be preventable. According to Professor Jubin Abutalebi of the University Vita Salute San Raffaele, Italy, and the Arctic University of Tromsoe, Norway, the easiest way to prevent cognitive decline after the age of 60 is to learn and practice foreign languages – the more languages, the better, suggests Professor Abutalebi in his presentation 'Preventing dementia through bilingualism' at the XXIV Yasin (April) International Academic Conference.

‘The BRICS Strategic Partnership Offers the World Creative, Unifying, Forward-Looking Initiatives’

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Sanctions Create New Opportunities for Russian Companies

Like any crisis, the sanctions of 2022, besides problems, have created new opportunities for Russian companies. This is the conclusion that HSE University’s experts have come to. Their study results are presented in the report ‘Adaptation of Russian Industrial Companies to Sanctions: First Steps and Expectations’, prepared by HSE University for the XXIV Yasin (April) International Academic Conference.

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