Elena Odoevskaia

On May 26–29, 2026, an HSE University team visited Minsk, the capital of Belarus. The purpose of the trip was to meet and hold talks with Belarusian universities and scientific organisations—HSE University's current and prospective partners.

CIPR 2026, Russia’s largest conference on the digital transformation of key industrial sectors, has opened in Nizhny Novgorod. The event brings together Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, members of the government, governors, company executives, and researchers. This year, HSE University has become an official partner of the conference. Vice Rector Elena Odoevskaia and other university representatives will take part in expert sessions and sign a number of agreements, while the university’s exhibition stand will showcase a range of digital developments.

In Moscow, HSE University’s leadership met with a delegation from Peking University headed by its President, Gong Qihuang. During the meeting, the parties agreed to strengthen partnership between the two universities within the framework of the Cross Years of Russian–Chinese Cooperation in Education (2026–2027).

In April 2026, HSE University welcomed an official delegation from Nazarbayev University. The visit primarily focused on establishing cooperation between the two universities, expanding partnership ties, and developing joint projects in support of strengthening bilateral relations between Russia and Kazakhstan.

In late March 2026, an official meeting took place between a delegation from HSE University and delegations from Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU); the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam; and the Embassy of Vietnam in the Russian Federation. The participants discussed key areas of cooperation that will help strengthen ties not only between the universities, but also between the two countries.

In 2025, HSE University continued its participation in the Priority 2030 Strategic Academic Leadership Programme, maintaining a strong focus on technological leadership in line with the programme’s updated framework. A key element of the university’s technological leadership strategy is its Strategic Technological Projects (STPs), aimed at creating in-demand, knowledge-intensive products and services.

HSE University is inviting researchers and lecturers to present concepts for new digital products based on artificial intelligence. The best projects will receive expert and technological support. Applications are open until December 19, 2025.

The HSE Office of Analytics and Data Management, together with the Visual Communications Unit, has developed a new Facts and Figures about HSE University page on the HSE website. In addition, all university staff now have access to a dashboard with the updated indicators of the Priority 2030 programme.

HSE University has launched a few strategic technological projects aimed at achieving the institution’s target development model. These projects focus on creating a portfolio of innovative products and services that fall under three key areas: socio-economic, science, and technology foresight, as well as 6G communication technologies and artificial intelligence.

On February 10, the award ceremony for the winners and laureates of the 2024 Student Research Paper Competition took place at HSE University. Out of the 1,916 students to submit projectsto the competition, 320 participants became winners and laureates and were awarded in four categories: social sciences, economics and management sciences, exact sciences, humanities and creative industries.

During the past year, scientists at HSE University have worked on five strategic projects aimed at advancing key areas essential to the development of modern individuals and society. Each of these projects is unique, yet they share common goals: creating innovative product solutions, generating fresh ideas for the economy, social sector, science, and education, and contributing to the university's research potential.

Preparations are underway at HSE University for Parallel Computational Technologies (PCT) 2025, an IT conference covering all aspects of the use of cloud, supercomputer, and neural network technologies in science and engineering. Applications to present at the conference (including those from early-career scientists) are open until January 1, 2025.

As its central theme, the conference focused on finding a balance between upholding high academic standards at universities and promoting the well-being of both students and faculty. The first plenary session examined the phenomenon of student families, with conference participants discussing how these families fit into the broader demographic context and proposing measures to support them.

Artificial intelligence will not replace medical professionals but can serve as an excellent assistant to them. Healthcare requires advanced technologies capable of rapidly analysing and monitoring patients' conditions. HSE scientists have integrated AI in preoperative planning and postoperative outcome evaluation for spinal surgery and developed an automated intelligent system to assess the biomechanics of the arms and legs.

On June 26 and 27, HSE University at Pokrovka hosted a discussion of potential partnerships between the university's research teams and strategic projects under the Priority 2030 programme. During the two-day session, the heads of strategic projects presented the main areas of their ongoing research, highlighted some of the key results achieved, and shared their vision for involving new researchers in the projects.

Applications are open until April 18

The new website makes information on the university’s strategic development initiatives and opportunities available to international colleagues and partners. The Strategic Development Programme Office has launched anEnglish-language website to promote the implementation of HSE University’s integrated development programme. The website is an ‘entry point’ for international partners and students, informing them about the university’s strategic priorities, goals, and plans.

This year’s conference topic was ‘Student Experience at a Modern University: from an Enrollee to a Graduate’. Over the three days, researchers from Russia and other countries discussed the individual and institutional factors that determine students' educational experience, the impact of this experience on educational performance, and its influence on labour market success. The conference took place from October 25–27 and featured over 90 presentations.

New methods of brain mapping will make it easier to identify the cortex areas responsible for speech functions and to perform operations on the brain, as well as reduce the likelihood of damage to important areas. In addition, this will allow for more frequent use of non-invasive methods for restoring speech and other functions lost due to injuries and illnesses.

The Faculty of Computer Science, which scored the maximum number of points, was the overall leader, and the Graduate School of Business entered Group A for the first time

HSE University’s Development Programme until 2030 will be improved in order to increase the university’s contribution to achieving national goals and implementing the priorities of the country’s scientific and technological development. This decision was made by the university’s Academic Council on April 26. The meeting also addressed the principles for the development of HSE University’s external communications, one of which is the creation of a high-quality information field around the university.

HSE University and the Presidential Academy have concluded a cooperation agreement. The document was signed by HSE University Vice Rector Elena Odoevskaya and RANEPA Vice Rector Alexey Anopchenko.

About a year ago, HSE University was among the first group of Russian universities to receive a grant from the ‘Priority 2030’ Strategic Academic Leadership Programme and began implementing strategic research projects. HSE University recently defended its report before the programme's board. Elena Odoevskaya, HSE University Vice Rector and coordinator of the HSE Development Programme for the Period until 2030 and the ‘Priority 2030’ programme, spoke to the HSE News Service about what has been achieved this year and how the format of strategic projects is changing at the university.

Elena Odoevskaya talks about her plans as Vice Rector

Irina Martusevich was appointed Vice Rector responsible for HSE University Staff, Elena Odoevskaya was appointed Vice Rector for coordinating HSE digital projects, and Dmitry Zemtsov was also appointed Vice Rector

Sergey Kadochnikov, Director of HSE in St. Petersburg since 2013, has announced his plans to leave his current position. Anna Tyshetskaya, current Vice Rector for Education at Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University, will take over as Director of HSE University’s campus in St. Petersburg. Elena Odoevskaya and Irina Martusevich will be appointed HSE Vice Rectors.