Kirill Tyurchev

In 2024, Ikenna Mbata, from Owerri, Nigeria, enrolled on the Master’s in Science, Technology and Innovation Management and Policy at ISSEK in Moscow. After two years of studies, on June 1, 2026 he successfully defended his master’s thesis ‘The Spatial Distribution of Pharma Start-ups in Africa: An Analysis of Innovation Clusters and Policy Drivers.’ In his interview with the HSE News Service, Ikenna speaks about his research topic, the role of HSE University in shaping his skills, the importance of volunteering, and the benefits of studying in an international environment.

XV International Academic Conference ‘Foresight and Science, Technology and Innovation Policy’organized by HSE University Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge took place on 12-14 November 2025.  This year programme included nine thematic sessions and special workshop for BRICS countries. The conference traditionally became a platform for discussing the future of technology, transformation of labor markets, creative economy, role of artificial intelligence, and sustainable development, bringing together experts around the world from: Russia, China, India, South Africa, Brazil, Egypt, Iran, the UAE, Indonesia, Australia, the UK, Malaysia and other countries.

Huge investments into high tech companies is a key innovation development tool in most countries — leaders of the global economy. Employees of the Russian Cluster Observatory of the HSE Institute of Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge made first estimates of the global high tech innovation activity and compared countries’ contribution into the global pool of leading institutions and people in fields of science, technology and creative industries.

This year’s final stage of Top Class, the All-Russian Competition of Schoolchildren’s Research and Projects, held by HSE University, has come to a close. About a thousand 8^th—11^th graders from 7 countries and 69 regions of Russia participated in the contest. The winners and runners-up were announced at the closing ceremony in the HSE Cultural Centre. They received special prizes from partner companies.