Colleagues and Friends Remember Evgeny Yasin

Evgeny Yasin, the HSE University Honorary Academic Supervisor who played a pivotal role in its establishment, one of the primary architects of the economic reforms in Russia during the 1990s, revered mentor and dedicated researcher, passed away on September 25.  Colleagues and friends of Yevgeny Yasin reflect on how he will be remembered by HSE University and the country.

Nikita Anisimov, Rector, HSE University

— Evgeny Yasin, one of the founders of HSE University and its Honorary Academic Supervisor, has passed away. He was a talented scholar, an outstanding organiser, and, for many at HSE, not only a colleague but also a cherished friend.

It was Yasin who, in the early 1990s, became one of the pioneers who implemented the idea of establishing a new type of educational institution in Russia. He and his colleagues not only made our university a reality but also laid the groundwork for what HSE University has become today—the country's leading educational institution upholding the highest standards of education.

In the 1990s, he played a crucial role in shaping the direction of economic reforms in Russia, notably during his three-year tenure as the Minister of Economy.

After leaving the civil service, Evgeny Yasin devoted most of his time to HSE University, serving as its academic supervisor for over two decades.

I offer my heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Evgeny Yasin.

Yaroslav Kuzminov, Academic Supervisor, HSE University

— He was the face and the heart of HSE University. That was the role Yasin took on after stepping down from the government in 1998. He never bossed people around. Instead, he convened meetings, listened and engaged with people, and helped promote decisions and interests. Over the course of more than 20 years in this role, he became a true guru of the university and the embodiment of academic and social integrity. Not the kind of integrity which is based on prohibitions and restrictions, but the kind rooted in drive, innovation, exploration, and continuous learning. It was a great joy to go to the university knowing that you might have the chance to encounter the Academic Supervisor.

He developed the first systematic course on the Russian economy. 

He created the April Conference.

Yasin's seminars held in the famous auditorium on the first floor of the building on Myasnitskaya Street established a tradition of scholarly and expert discussions, where researchers deliberated on economic and social policy, and politicians explored the realm of academic inquiry.

He mentored numerous researchers, educators, and practitioners—consultants and politicians—who emerged from the ranks of HSE students under his guidance. 

Yasin was a wise and prudent reformer.

He steered clear of messianism and sectarianism—two afflictions that often, unfortunately, affect those who champion serious changes.

He had both the willingness and the ability to understand others fast.

He was virtually the sole representative of the older generation to be invited to serve in Gaidar's government.

He was the chief advisor to Viktor Chernomyrdin, who was Prime Minister during one of the most challenging eras in modern Russian history.

Yasin had a profound understanding not only of macroeconomics and finance but also of various sectors of the economy, including their specific technologies and consumer dynamics.  

He recognised that economic reforms are a long-term endeavour that cannot be accomplished without maintaining close contact with both enterprises and the public.

He was the first to address the issue that cheap labour was not an advantage but rather a challenge for the Russian economy. In recent years, he frequently emphasised the necessity of economic restructuring to benefit workers, advocating for a substantial increase in labour incomes in Russia.

In this regard, he exemplified the true spirit of a Social Democrat. Yasin's liberalism championed freedom in its various forms—economic, political, and intellectual—without endorsing the unchecked dominance of the market's invisible hand or the privilege of the powerful to prosper at the expense of the disadvantaged.

A skilled organiser, he never sought out leadership positions; the role that suited him best personally and proved effective for his work was that of an adviser, consultant, mentor, mediator, and facilitator of connections among people.

He will always remain in our cherished memories.

Yasin lives within each of us. Forever.

Alexander Shokhin, President of HSE University, President of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs

— I extend my profound and heartfelt condolences after this irreplaceable loss for our country.

Evgeny Yasin, who served as the Minister of Economy of Russia from 1994 to 1997 and was the founder and Honorary Academic Supervisor of HSE University, was the visionary behind Russia's shift from the Soviet economy to a free-market system. For those who had the privilege of knowing him, he was not only a friend but also a mentor and a paragon of human decency.

In 1991, Yasin assumed the role of Director for Economic Policy within the Scientific and Industrial Union of the USSR, which would later become the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs. He co-authored several programmes and academic papers that played a pivotal role in shaping a more efficient and sustainable economy in the country, while addressing the needs of the emerging business community.

A man of exemplary moral character and a true intellectual, Yevgeny Yasin, until his final days, remained committed to his vision of Russia's future as a highly developed and democratic nation. He was not only a distinguished scholar and public figure, but, above all, a patriot whose contribution to the development of Russia we have yet to fully appreciate.

Today, despite the challenging foreign policy climate, the country's economy continues to thrive, and the safety net largely established through the efforts of Evgeny Yasin aids Russia in withstanding the pressures of sanctions.

The memory of Evgeny Yasin will forever reside in our hearts.

Alexander Shamrin

— For me, Evgeny Yasin was the person who transformed my entire life. He would often tell his students that the sky is the only limit. Yasin had faith in the talents and potential of everyone he worked with. I had the privilege of working alongside Evgeny Yasin when he was at the Ministry of Economy. All our meetings resembled brainstorming sessions, where not only deputy ministers but also ordinary specialists actively contributed. The atmosphere was supportive, so that everyone felt free to make their point. Indeed, it often happened that as Minister, he made decisions based on proposals from ordinary employees. And in the evenings, I attended Professor Yasin's lectures as part of my master's programme at HSE University. His lectures attracted large audiences—in the mid-1990s, they offered a systematic overview of the outcomes of the initial years of reforms and a vision for the future.

Leonid Gokhberg, First Vice Rector of HSE University

— It is difficult to bid farewell to Evgeny Yasin—a cherished person in my life, who was not only a wise and kind mentor but also as a principled scholar. Yasin gave me the green light at HSE and played a significant role in shaping my path forward. Every one of our encounters, whether it involved a professional discussion on innovation or statistics (subjects we were both passionate about), a collaborative academic seminar, or even a casual, friendly conversation, was always enriched by Professor Yasin's profound insights, keen gaze, and sincere interest in the other person. 

I've never sought autographs from anyone, but during one of our recent meetings, I couldn't resist asking him to sign a textbook on economic statistics that he had authored many years prior. Now, I treasure this autograph along with our photos taken at various times. I will always cherish his kind words and warm smile.

Vadim Radaev, First Vice Rector of HSE University

— Yasin was known to many as a reformist minister, the director of the Expert Institute, a member of the Human Rights Council, and, of course, as the Academic Supervisor and co-founder of HSE University, as well as the initiator of the April (now Yasin) International Academic Conference. But above all, for us, he was a senior colleague and a wise mentor, someone from whom we could always learn something valuable. He was also a caring and compassionate person. Engaging with him was a unique pleasure, both intellectually and personally. This is why everyone loved him.

Lilia Ovcharova, Vice Rector of HSE University

— I have always dreaded this day, but it has come... For over 30 years, Evgeny Yasin and I shared an academic and human dialogue between a market expert and a social scientist. Our lengthy discussions about economic growth for the benefit of people will forever stay in my memory, as well as in the hearts of his other students. The founder of our university, a distinguished scholar, an accomplished politician, and an individual of uncommon kindness and depth of soul has passed away. Evgeny Yasin's legacy stands out as the finest achievement for HSE University and within the broader context of the post-Soviet era in our country's history.

Sergey Pekarsky, Dean of the HSE Faculty of Economic Sciences

— Is economics a 'dismal science'? When looking at Professor Yasin and listening to him, one never felt that way. For me, and I am confident for most others as well, Yasin was a person who radiated joy, and in a certain sense, was a joyful economist. For him, the essence of a liberal market economy wasn't the freedom to accumulate wealth but rather the freedom to enhance people's well-being. He saw the university's mission as serving society, and the university's progress meant nurturing new generations of economists, sociologists, political scientists, and other young professionals across various fields, potentially even more talented than Yasin himself. For nearly all of us who worked alongside Yasin, it is a tremendous source of pride that we can refer to ourselves as his colleagues. We will always remember to whom we owe the existence of our shared home—HSE University. Thank you for this, and for all the good that you have done for each of us, for HSE University, and for Russia, dear Professor Yasin!

Fuad Aleskerov, Tenured Professor, Head of the HSE Faculty of Economic Sciences Department of Mathematics and Director of the International Centre of Decision Choice and Analysis

— I worked alongside Evgeny Yasin for many years as Deputy Chairman of the April Conference Programme Committee.

His influence on me was profound. He was an incredibly sophisticated, intelligent, and talented individual with a deep understanding of the issues discussed at the conference.

Colleagues have already spoken extensively about the remarkable qualities of Evgeny Yasin, but there was one more aspect that consistently left a profound impression on me. Specifically, he always expressed a keen interest in new research papers and often inquired about my latest work in detail. It was evident that he had a genuine passion for it.

One day, he and I stood on the second-floor landing at 20 Myasnitskaya Street, engrossed in an intense discussion. A colleague passing by remarked that we looked like two undergraduates. It was gratifying to think that Professor Yasin and I were still learning and experiencing curiosity for new things.

I extend my heartfelt condolences to the family of Evgeny Yasin and to all of us who had the privilege of knowing him, who were his students, and who were profoundly influenced by him.

Alexey Kudrin, former Minister of Finance, Adviser on Corporate Development at Yandex

— Evgeny Yasin has passed away. He was one of the pillars of the transition from the Soviet to the free-market economy and the founder of HSE University. For many, he was a teacher and a friend. He will always remain in our cherished memories.

Elvira Nabiullina, Chair of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation

— This is a huge loss for me. Evgeny Yasin was my teacher. Thanks to him, I discovered what I truly wanted to pursue in life, and this significantly shaped my perspective and career path. He was an open-hearted individual, always willing to help, who empathised with other people's challenges and never distanced himself from them. He viewed science not as an ivory tower but as a means to enhance the quality of people's lives. My heartfelt condolences go out to Irina Yasina, all family members, colleagues, and students of Evgeny Yasin.

Anton Siluanov, Minister of Finance of the Russian Federation

— I extend my heartfelt condolences on the passing of Evgeny Yasin. A gifted economist, a wise politician, and a distinguished scientist, he has left an indelible mark on our country's history and made a substantial contribution to the advancement of domestic economic science. For many of us, he served as a teacher, a friend, and a role model. Please accept these words of support in light of your loss.

Maxim Reshetnikov, Minister of Economic Development of Russia

— Evgeny Yasin was an outstanding statesman and economist. His name is associated with the establishment of a free market in Russia and the nation's transition to a new stage of development. As a minister, he played a significant role in promoting our country ‘s integration into the global economy and trade. Being a gifted educator with a broad perspective, Evgeny Yasin generously shared his knowledge with colleagues and students. His erudition, intelligence, and enthusiasm were truly impressive, and his wise advice and guidance benefited more than one generation of economists. We highly valued his support within the framework of the Public Council under the Ministry of Economic Development. Eternal memory to Evgeny Yasin, our mentor and friend.

September 25, 2023