‘For Me, HSE Is One Big Family’

Parsa Almasizadeh

© Photo courtesy of Sergey Strokov

Parsa Farid Almasizadeh is the winner of the HSE Outstanding Alumni Award in the nomination ‘For Special Achievements in Career and Public Life among International Alumni of HSE University’. He was born and raised in Tehran and received his higher education in Russia. After completing his master’s degree at MIEM, he stayed on to work at HSE. He currently heads the Network and Systems Tools Unit at the HSE Office of Information Technology. Read more about Parsa Almasizadeh in this feature.

Family, School

I am Persian; I was born and spent my childhood in District One in the north of Tehran, the capital of Iran. My native language is Persian, also known as Farsi.

School education in Iran is divided into several stages. First, there are five years of primary school. Then come three years of lower secondary and three years of upper secondary school, where pupils choose a specialisation: humanities, natural sciences and mathematics/physics, or arts. I, for example, studied in the mathematics and physics stream. Finally, there is a last year of preparation for university entrance, organised by the university itself if a school student decides to apply.

I have a very close-knit family: my mother, my father, myself, and my elder sister, who is married and has her own family. We always support one another, even at a great distance. My mother is a housewife, and my father is an entrepreneur. By his first degree he is an engineer; at one time he had his own construction company. Later, he moved into a business connected with the sale of pharmaceuticals.

Engineering—A Childhood Passion

Apparently, I inherited my father’s genes—from an early age I was interested in everything related to engineering. I carried out my first practical experiments on my personal computer at the age of six, when it refused to switch on. I was curious about everything: what, how, and why.

I am grateful to my parents, who always tried to support my interests

By upper secondary school, I was most interested in how network technologies function and in everything we conventionally refer to as ‘hardware’: computer components, equipment, and how everything works together within a single configuration.

From around the age of thirteen, I began working. At first, these were simple commissions—installing software on computers, building websites, providing technical support. During my school years, I attended many technical courses, and all the experience I gained then proved very helpful later on.

Photo courtesy of Parsa Almasizadeh

The First Year in Russia

On my father’s advice—he wanted me to receive a good education at an international university—I chose to study in Russia. At first, it was difficult; the hardest part was coping with being separated from my family. In addition, I did not know Russian at all. I had a good command of English, which helped, but overall the language barrier was a significant obstacle. To begin with, I had to complete a one-year preparatory course in Russian for international applicants to Moscow universities.

The most challenging stage in my studies was when I could already understand spoken Russian and translate it, but was not yet able to speak it myself

In time, I managed to overcome this barrier as well. Now I speak Russian quite confidently; at the very least, I understand Russian speech of any level of complexity, and I know that all my interlocutors understand my Russian well.

Choosing a University—My Bachelor’s Degree

For my bachelor’s degree, I chose to study Law at the Russian State University of Physical Education, Sport, Youth, and Tourism. This institution suited me not least because it held international accreditation. I also appreciated the fact that the entrance examinations included Mathematics and Physics—subjects in which I felt relatively confident.

At first, everything during my undergraduate studies felt unfamiliar. At school, I had mentally prepared myself for a different system—the one used in my home country—where students independently choose most of their subjects. In Russia, however, it is different: there is a fixed timetable and scheduled classes that you are expected to attend.

Life during my bachelor’s studies was steady and routine—classes, halls of residence, and then the same again. There was hardly any time left for anything else. At that time, I led a rather reclusive life, with everything centred around my studies. And of course, I took every possible opportunity to fly home. During my bachelor’s programme, I gained solid training in economics and law—both Russian and international—and this knowledge has proved extremely useful in my life. At the same time, I clearly understood that my primary interest still lay in IT and engineering, and that I would apply to a technical university for my master’s degree.

Applying for a Master’s Degree—The Pandemic

Towards the end of my bachelor’s studies, I was seriously considering where to continue my education. There were many options, including returning to Iran. By that time, I had settled well in Russia and made excellent friends. Nevertheless, I was genuinely thinking about changing my country of study and going back home.

An important factor was the pandemic, which was at its height at the time: I completed my bachelor’s degree in 2021. All countries were under quarantine, and movement was severely restricted. Yet at the same time, many new opportunities emerged—possibilities that few had previously considered. Above all, there was the rapid development of online learning formats. On my father’s advice, I began to consider pursuing two master’s degrees simultaneously—one in Information Technology and another in Management and Sports Diplomacy. As far as IT was concerned, I had already chosen MIEM at HSE University, although I also looked at several master’s programmes at leading Russian universities. The programme content, communication with the admissions office, the convenient website navigation, and the clarity of the documentation—all of this appealed to me more at HSE. As for the second field, the choice was obvious: my familiar university of sport. That is how I decided to remain in Russia.

In autumn 2021, I had already been a student at MIEM for some time, yet I had not visited the institute even once. I first travelled to Strogino in late autumn 2021, when the quarantine restrictions were lifted. I remember my impressions that day: it was beautiful, full of people, with everyone talking, discussing things, smiling at one another. I felt particularly strongly how much the pandemic had taken away from us—above all, simple human communication.

HSE MIEM

I enrolled in the Computer Systems and Networks programme, specialising in Information Science and Computer Technology. Life at HSE quickly gathered momentum—studies, projects, new acquaintances. Most importantly, I was finally doing what I had aspired to all my life: engineering. During this period, I began to think seriously about employment in Russia. If, during my bachelor’s studies, I had not considered career prospects or associated my future with Russia, my perspective changed during my master’s degree.

I began to see Russia as a second home—a place where I could make long-term plans

Now, when I fly to Iran or back here, I feel as though I am travelling from one home to another.

Towards the end of my master’s programme, I sent my CV to Vladimir Starykh, Head of the School of Computer Engineering. He invited me for an interview and subsequently offered me a position in the Laboratory of Network and Communication Technology. Thus, immediately after completing my master’s degree in 2023, I began working at HSE as an engineer and, shortly afterwards, as a lecturer. At the same time, I was in the process of obtaining a temporary residence permit in Russia.

Teaching

I truly enjoy teaching, even now in my new and highly responsible position, when I am desperately out of time. My teaching area is computer systems and networks—their design, administration, and maintenance—everything that fascinated me and brought me pleasure even in childhood.

Communicating with students brings me immense joy. HSE students are remarkable: very thoughtful, often meticulous, and broadly educated

Each student is talented in their own way. They have their own opinions, a wealth of ideas, and their own perspective on every issue. It might seem that a lecturer teaches and a student learns, but at HSE it is more complex and far more interesting. We are all—students and lecturers alike—both learning and teaching. Our education is a mutual process, where everyone constantly gains new knowledge. My main task is to find an individual approach to each student.

Photo courtesy of Parsa Almasizadeh

Working at HSE

When I became an engineer in the Laboratory of Network and Communication Technology, my circle of contacts at MIEM expanded dramatically, because my work required me to interact with almost all the institute’s departments—organising events, implementing projects, and communicating with the university’s central administrative divisions. Recently, I was appointed Head of the Network and Systems Tools Unit at the HSE Office of Information Technology. It is a responsible and important role for me.

In my work, the most important thing is the opportunity to help colleagues and my home university—to establish essential processes and resolve emerging issues

HSE has a very large number of users, and a great deal depends on our coordination and efficiency. Our department has an excellent team of true professionals; each of them knows their job thoroughly and performs it quickly and effectively.

What HSE Means to Me

Recently, my parents asked whether I would like to return to Iran. It is a very difficult choice, because it is a choice between what is dear to me and something no less dear. On the one hand, there is my homeland and my parents, whom I miss very much. On the other hand, Russia has also become my home. I have a job here that I love, a team, and friends. My life here is filled with meaning.

Had HSE not appeared in my life, I would probably have left after completing my master’s degree. Yet I have now been living here in Russia for three years since finishing my studies. Sometimes I even perceive myself as Russian.

For me, HSE is one big family. I come from the Middle East, and for me the concept of family is of immense value. As in any family, we may sometimes disagree or dislike certain things, but that becomes unimportant when it comes to the interests of the family, preserving its atmosphere, and upholding shared values and traditions.