Nikita Anisimov

On April 14–19, 2024, two finals of the International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC) took place in Luxor (Egypt). The teams from HSE University’s Faculty of Computer Science became world champions in the 47th ICPC final and received gold medals in the 46th final.

HSE University and the University of Delhi have signed an agreement on strategic cooperation and joint actions. According to the agreement, a large research hub will begin operating at the partner university in India.

On April 11, the Indo-Russian Education Summit, uniting universities in Russia and India, opened in New Delhi. The opening ceremony was attended by Denis Alipov, Russian Ambassador to India, Denis Gribov, Deputy Minister of Education of Russia, Pavel Shevtsov, Deputy Head of Rossotrudnichestvo, as well as representatives of Indian and Russian universities, including a delegation from HSE University.

On April 7, university students and staff took part in a major Moscow race named April. Maxim Liksakov, a student at HSE University, managed to set a new competition record and win first place. HSE University Rector Nikita Anisimov, who also took part in the competition, congratulated Maksim on his victory.

Chaired by Dmitri Bondarenko, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Deputy Director of the RAS Institute of Africa, and Director of theInternational Centre of Anthropology at the HSEFaculty of Humanities, the Dissertation Council comprises prominent Russian Orientalists and Africanists from HSE University and other leading institutions.

On March 27, 2024 the first meeting of the newly-elected HSE Academic Council was held. The meeting approved the list and composition of commissions responsible for the preliminary consideration of issues prior to their inclusion in the Council’s agenda. The attendees also discussed Russia's technological priorities and outlined ways for university staff members to participate in addressing technological development challenges.

On March 29, HSE University signed a cooperation agreement with the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR). The agreement outlines the primary areas of cooperation between the organisations, including participation in NICA Megascience Project experiments, collaborative activities in theoretical physics and information technology, and the development of human resources through joint training initiatives.

Alfa-Bank CEO Vladimir Verkhoshinskiyjoined the HSE University Board of Trustees. Earlier, HSE University and Alfa-Bank signed a cooperation agreement, which stipulates the launch of joint educational programmes and the implementation of joint research projects, events, workshops, and internships for students.

On March 19, the HSE Staff and Student Conference, which was attended by 727 delegates, took place at the Russia Expo. At the event, a vote for 87 candidates to the elected part of the HSE Academic Council was held, all of which received the required number of votes.

Over the next ten years, the partnership between Yandex and the HSE Faculty of Computer Science (FCS) will broaden across three key areas: launching new educational programmes, advancing AI research, and exploring the application of generative neural networks in the educational process. Established by HSE University and Yandex a decade ago, the Faculty of Computer Science has since emerged as a frontrunner in training developers and experts in AI and machine learning, with a total of 3,385 graduates from the faculty over this period.

At the HSE Staff and Student Conference, which took place at the Russia Expo on March 19, 2024, HSE Rector Nikita Anisimov presented an overview of the university's key achievements from 2019 to 2023.

How does one choose the most suitable programme? Is it difficult for first-year students to become acclimated at HSE University? Nikita Anisimov, HSE University Rector, answered these and other questions on the eve of the university-wide Open Day for prospective students of bachelor's and specialist programmes.

HSE University, together with the world-class Neimark IT campus, is preparing a unique professional environment for future IT specialists: to this end, an IT school will be created in the Nizhny Novgorod region, and on September 1st, the first network degree programme ‘Artificial and Augmented Intelligence Technologies’ will be launched at HSE University in Nizhny Novgorod.

On February 12, an official signing ceremony was held for an agreement on the free transfer of literature published by the Organisation for Researching and Composing University Textbooks in the Islamic Sciences and the Humanities under the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology of the Islamic Republic of Iran (SAMT) to HSE University. The event took place in the HSE University library on Pokrovsky Bulvar.

HSE University took second place in the new 2023 ranking of universities in the digital economy in Moscow and St Petersburg, having lost only to Bauman Moscow State Technical University. HSE University outperformed specialised IT universities such as Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (third place) and ITMO University (fifth place), as well as Moscow State University (fourth place).

A school focusing on the digitalisation of public administration for civil servants from African countries was held in Moscow in December 2023. The school proved the high demand for Russian training programmes — representatives of 23 countries and 3 international organisations received certificates following advanced training.

HSE University is one of the leaders in IT education and research in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). Thanks to this, the university recently received the highest grant of the Priority 2030 programme. The integration of AI technologies into education is set to become a strategic direction for the university’s development over the next five years. What changes are coming to HSE University in this regard and how they will affect students and teachers? These issues were discussed at a meeting of HSE University’s Academic Council on December 20.

A meeting of the Association of Global Universities was held in the White Hall of the Durasov House at HSE University. The participants welcomed new members of the association, summed up the results of the work in 2023 and outlined goals for the next year. They paid special attention to the International Open Doors Olympiad, which attracts students from all over the world. Interest in the Olympiad is growing as foreign applicants get the opportunity to study at leading Russian universities for free.

In November, an open talk with Tatyana Bakalchuk, the founder of Wildberries, took place at HSE University’s Cultural Centre. The topic of the meeting was ‘The Era of the Platform Economy: Opportunities and Prospects for Everyone.’ A thousand people gathered to listen to the speech—students, teachers, and staff not only from HSE University, but also from other universities, as well as representatives of the business community. The event was organised by the HSE Business Club. 

On November 8 and 9, HSE University hosted the All-Russian Conference 'Media and Information Literacy in Russia: Latest Trends.' The conference was organised jointly by the Russian Committee of the UNESCO Information for All Programme and the Institute of Media of the HSE Faculty of Creative Industries. The event was timed to coincide with UNESCO's Global Week of Media and Information Literacy.

The regional programme of the VI Heritage Youth Forum, co-organised by HSE University, has opened at Durasov House. The goal of the educational project by the Moscow Department of Cultural Heritage is to engage undergraduates, graduate students, and young professionals in work to preserve and integrate cultural monuments into the modern urban space.

At HSE Online Day, online bachelor’s and master’s students learned more about the university environment and online social life, attended lectures on careers and skills from HSE and industry experts, and participated in a quiz by the Career Centre. The event took place on October 17.

Cooperation with Chinese partners in all spheres of the economy is reaching a new qualitative level. At the same time, Russian entrepreneurs often lack knowledge about the specifics of doing business with China. Ways to solve this problem and strengthen the bilateral partnership were discussed at the ‘Russia—China: Business in a Multipolar World’ forum held at HSE University.

On September 27, the 2023 Exchange Fair took place in the atrium of the HSE University building on Pokrovsky Bulvar as part of the annual International Partners’ Week. Representatives of the world’s leading universities told students about the opportunities available under academic mobility programmes.

HSE University and the National University of Uzbekistan have agreed to launch a mirror laboratory for the study of topical economic issues. The Protocol of Intent was signed by HSE University Rector Nikita Anisimov and NUU Rector Inom Majidov as part of the Interregional Conference for University Rectors of Russia and the Republic of Uzbekistan.

HSE University Rector Nikita Anisimov has held a meeting with a delegation from the United Arab Emirates headed by Undersecretary of Academic Affairs for Higher Education at the Ministry of Education Mohammed Ibrahim Al Mu’alla. Representatives of leading universities in the UAE took part in the meeting.

HSE University Rector Nikita Anisimov has congratulated students, teachers, and staff on Knowledge Day, which marks the beginning of the new academic year and is celebrated in Russia on September 1. ‘This day marks the new opportunities that open up to us and calls us to climb the most unreachable heights,’ he said.

Nikita Anisimov was appointed Rector of HSE University two years ago. In his interview with Ernest Mackevičius, Director of the HSE University Institute of Media, journalist, and television presenter, the HSE rector talks about how he came to the university, its achievements and development plans, and how to tell the difference between AI-produced and human texts.

In 2021, HSE University was involved in the launch of two joint master’s programmes. The first was implemented by Pskov State University and the HSE University Institute of Education. The second was a joint project between the Institute of Education and the ‘Investment to the Future’ charitable foundation created by Sberbank. The first graduation ceremonies for both programmes took place on July 4. The graduands were awarded their master’s diplomas by HSE University Rector Nikita Anisimov, Pskov State University First Vice Rector Olga Serova, and Director of Projects at the Investment to the Future foundation Ekaterina Yadova.

On June 30, HSE University Rector Nikita Anisimov and Russian Football National League President Nail Izmaylov signed a cooperation and partnership memorandum aimed at developing and popularising Russian football.

HSE University and Rossotrudnichestvo have signed an agreement to establish a Russian Language Centre at HSE University in St Petersburg. It will train teachers of Russian studies and future leaders of educational programmes and courses of Russian as a foreign language. The document was signed by HSE University Rector Nikita Anisimov and Head of Rossotrudnichestvo Yevgeny Primakov at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum.

HSE University and the Agency for Strategic Initiatives (ASI) have agreed to cooperate in the development of new technologies, the digital transformation of the economy, and the social development of the country. The agreement was signed by HSE University Rector Nikita Anisimov and ASI Director General Svetlana Chupsheva at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum.

The team of HSE University’s Rediscovering Russia project, with the support of the presidential platform Russia—Land of Opportunity and the More Than a Trip programme, has published an annual report on the results of the 2022 season in the format of a book. The publication includes key results, travel geography, project development plans, and much more.

HSE University has hosted the signing of cooperation agreements with two Iranian universities—Allameh Tabataba’i University (ATU) and the University of Isfahan (UI). Delegations from the universities led by ATU President Abdollah Motamedi and UI President Hossein Harsij visited HSE University and met with Rector Nikita Anisimov and staff of the HSE International Office led by Vice Rector Victoria Panova.

HSE University has hosted the project session ‘The Big Challenges Faced by Yamal’, whose speakers included Governor of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug (YaNAO) Dmitry Artyukhov, HSE University Rector Nikita Anisimov, and Vice Rector Dmitry Zemtsov. HSE University students designed concepts for expeditions to the region that they will be able to embark on in 2023–2024 as part of the ‘Rediscovering Russia’ project.

On May 18, 2023, HSE University and the University of Technology Malaysia signed an agreement on scientific and educational cooperation at the XIV International Economic Forum ‘Russia—Islamic World: KazanForum’. The agreement was signed by HSE Rector Nikita Anisimov and UTM Vice Chancellor Ahmad Fauzi bin Ismail.

The partners have agreed to develop education in the field of fintech. The corresponding bilateral agreement was signed by HSE University Rector Nikita Anisimov and Alfa-Bank CEO Vladimir Verkhoshinskiy.

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.

On April 17, HSE University and Vitus Bering Kamchatka State University signed a cooperation agreement at the Durasov House on Pokrovsky Boulevard. The new partnership will include joint expeditions, research, and educational activities, including a permanent expedition to research and preserve the languages ​​and cultures of Kamchatka.

The Human Capital Multidisciplinary Research Centre, established in 2020 and coordinated by HSE University, recently held a session of the International Supervisory Board and presented work results for the period of 2020-2022 along with plans for 2023-2025, including fundamental and applied research in the field of human development, creation of unique empirical databases for the development of evidence-based social and economic policies, and the introduction of digital approaches in humanities and social sciences.

Today, BRICS has become an influential factor in modern international relations and is perceived as one of the pillars of a more just world order. This association is not based on one party’s dominance, but instead, is built on a sound balance of interests. The role of the association was discussed by the participants of the plenary session ‘BRICS Development Strategy: Equal Opportunities in an Unequal World’at the XXIV Yasin (April) International Academic Conference.

As part of his working trip to Perm, HSE University Rector Nikita Anisimov visited the site where the new campus is being built, and also held talks with the Governor of Perm Krai, Dmitry Makhonin. The student campus is expected to be fully operational in 2026. The campus will house learning spaces, laboratories, a sports complex with a swimming pool, a congress hall, and a hotel complex for students and teachers.

HSE University is hosting the XXIV Yasin (April) International Academic Conference on Economic and Social Development in Moscow from April 4–14. The conference has attracted over 3,000 leading researchers, experts, business representatives and government officials from over 30 countries. The leaders of HSE University—Rector Nikita Anisimov, Academic Supervisor Yaroslav Kuzminov, and President Alexander Shokhin—addressed the conference participants.

On March 21, HSE University Rector Nikita Anisimov met with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Mexico to the Russian Federation Eduardo Villegas Mejias. The parties agreed to develop mutually beneficial cooperation in the field of education.

On March 12, the HSE University Pokrovka building hosted an Open Day. Applicants and their parents learned about the rules of admission in 2023, the university’s campuses in four cities, educational programmes, opportunities for extracurricular activities, and more. At the entrance, volunteers handed out maps of the campus with event locations, so that everyone could plan their own route through the stands, workshops, and other activities.

On March 1, the HSE University Academic Council held a meeting at the building on Pokrovsky Bulvar. The main focus of the meeting was the development of the Faculty of Creative Industries. A secret ballot was also held for the competition to fill faculty positions.

The rector toured the campus on Khitrovka, examined the condition of classrooms and studios, the student canteen, visited the FCI (Faculty of Creative Industries) media.center. During the discussion with Ernest Matskyavichyus, director of the Media Institute, he learned more about the facility and  plans to improve it.

On February 1, the HSE Cultural Centre hosted an award ceremony for the winners and laureates of the 2022 Student Research Paper Competition. Participants included students and graduates of HSE University and other universities. The ceremony closed with a ‘Science Battles’ event.

The photo exhibition ‘Kamchatka: Your Amazing Adventure’ was officially opened as part of the Days of Kamchatka event held by HSE University in the building on Pokrovsky Boulevard from January 19 to February 10. Visitors will learn about life in the region through photos of the unique landscapes and wildlife sanctuaries of the peninsula, the traditional Beringia dog-sled race, and the main symbols of the Kamchatka Region—brown bears, Pacific salmon, and wild reindeer.

Linguatest, Russia’s first foreign-language certification system, has been launched in the Nizhny Novgorod region. The system was developed by specialists from HSE University in cooperation with the National Accreditation Agency and the Prosveshchenie group of companies, who are providing certification and publishing support for the project. Nizhny Novgorod is the first city after Moscow to offer testing under the system.

In 2022, HSE University became an expert centre for universities across the Luhansk People’s Republic in analytical, methodical, and legal fields. This will facilitate the seamless introduction of the republic’s universities into the Russian academic environment. Irina Karelina, Vice President of HSE University, talked to the HSE News Service about why HSE University decided to enter this project and how it complies with the university’s development strategy.

HSE Rector Nikita Anisimov gave an interview to the Business of Russia magazine in which he talked about the essence of HSE University, the importance of double-degrees, how online education differs from classical education and how sanctions allow for the development of domestic projects in the field of education.

The awards ceremony for the winners of the Data Analysis National Olympiad (DANO) has taken place at the HSE Cultural Centre. This is the second time the Olympiad has been held, and was organized by HSE University together with Tinkoff. About 7,000 participants from different regions of Russia and 13 other countries took part in the event. Those coming in the top 25 of the individual ratings will be able to study at HSE University for free.

On December 19, HSE Rector Nikita Anisimov and Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Head of the Presidential Administration of Kyrgyzstan Akylbek Zhaparov met in the capital of Kyrgyzstan. The parties agreed to implement a joint project to train staff for the economic block of the government of the republic. As part of the project’s first stage, the Higher School of Economics of Kyrgyzstan will be created on the basis of the Training Center of the Ministry of Finance of Kyrgyzstan with full methodological support from HSE University. This was a new systematic step in expanding cooperation between HSE University and the Government of Kyrgyzstan.

HSE University and the Russian Orthodox Church Saints Cyril and Methodius Institute for Postgraduate Studies (IPS) have celebrated a decade of cooperation and signed an agreement to continue their collaboration. Over the years, 45 people have graduated from each of the two joint master's programmes, an inter-campus minor is operating, and the HSE Centre for Religion and Law has been established.

HSE University’s rector has congratulated students, teachers, employees, researchers, and graduates on the university’s 30th anniversary. He said that HSE University’s history was impressive for its swiftness—in just three decades, it has become one of Russia’s best and largest universities, joined the international academic community, achieved good rankings, and is now successfully competing for talent globally.

Russia's pivot to the East requires balanced actions, as well as knowledge of the languages, cultures, and traditions of Asian countries. Without this, Russian businesses will not be able to work there effectively. Experts and government representatives discussed the issue and the experience of Russia's regions working in Asia at ‘The Pivot to the East: The Regional Dimension’, the first interregional conference held by HSE University with the support of the Russian Ministry of Economic Development.

Linguatest is available in two versions: academic and business. It can be taken in person at dedicated centres or online in proctored sessions. Registration in now open for the first exam sessions in Moscow in December 2022.

The event’s main theme is ‘New Educational Outcomes for Well-being and Success’. This year, the XIII International Conference on Higher Education was held together with the Second All-Russian Conference on Individual Educational Trajectories. For three days, researchers discussed the latest challenges in education, including the field of strengthening Russia's technological sovereignty.

Today, Russia is striving to develop its relationships with the countries of East and South Asia and the Middle East. Politicians, diplomats, and businesspeople need to be aware of the specifics of Eastern states, their traditions and culture. To develop a new level of relations, it is important to provide high-quality education for Asian studies specialists. This was discussed at the First International Academic Conference ‘Oriental Civilisations: A View from the 21st Century’ hosted by HSE University. The Conference was attended by scientists from Russia, China, Turkey, Japan, Iran, and other countries.

On October 19th, HSE Rector Nikita Anisimov became the first rector to visit the Luhansk People’s Republic (LPR), as part of a delegation following the Republic’s accession to Russia. During meetings with acting Head of LPR, Leonid Pasechnik, and the Republic’s Prime Minister, Sergey Kozlov, they signed an agreement between HSE University and LPR Government on strategic cooperation in education and research.

On October 11, HSE University hosted a delegation of the Syrian Arab Republic at the building on Pokrovsky Bulvar. During the meeting, they discussed education and the continuing cooperation between HSE University and Damascus University.

For the first time, HSE University has moved up to second place based on the average score of applicants enroled on state-funded bachelor's programmes. The implementation of the concept of ‘four campuses — one university’ has led to an increase in the number of applicants and the quality of admissions at the regional campuses. As well as this, enrolment on online programmes has increased by more than 50%. Despite a slight reduction in the number of international applicants due to external factors, the university has maintained its rigorous selection policy for prospective students. Among foreign countries, China has the largest number of students applying for HSE’s master’s programmes.

The HSE University Graduate School of Business (GSB) has hosted the Autumn School in ESG Transformation of the Finance Sector. A total of 70 students from Russian universities passed the competitive selection process to take part. The four-day programme was devised and developed by the Central Bank of Russia. The speakers included top managers and regulatory specialists, as well as representatives of the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, VTB, Sber, Sibur, Gazprombank, Rosatom, Nornikel, VEB.RF, Rusal, and experts from HSE University.

HSE Rector Nikita Anisimov joined the university in July 2021. In an exclusive interview to RBC he spoke about the important events that have happened at HSE University since then, whether it was necessary to quit the Bologna system, and how to attract international students to Russian universities. Here, HSE News Service publishes some of the highlights of this interview.

The new academic year has kicked off at HSE University. Rector Nikita Anisimov greeted the students, staff and particularly new arrivals on Knowledge Day—September 1, which, as he emphasised, symbolises the beginning of a new journey and new achievements.

TASS has held a press conference devoted to the results of the admissions campaigns of three leading Russian universities: MGIMO, HSE University, and Bauman University. The universities’ rectors revealed the most popular fields of study and other details of the admissions campaigns. The key results of the HSE University admissions campaign include greater demand for the campuses outside Moscow, an increase in the number of enrolments by winners of olympiads, and the university’s continued popularity among foreign applicants.

HSE University Rector Nikita Anisimov summed up the interim results of the admission campaign for undergraduate programmes in 2022. According to data announced at the meeting of the HSE Admissions Committee, 26,455 prospective students applied to programmes across all university campuses. This is almost 1% more than last year, when 26,257 people applied to HSE University.

The first graduation ceremony for the joint HSE University and Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU) Bachelor’s Programme in Economics took place in Vladivostok. 43 students were each awarded two diplomas. The programme, launched at the School of Economics and Management of Far Eastern Federal University in 2018, gives students the opportunity to master Russia's strongest programme and earn a diploma from HSE University without leaving the Far East. HSE University currently offers 11 double degree programmes at undergraduate and graduate level with nine Russian universities.

HSE University and Sberbank have entered into a cooperation agreement. The document was signed by Herman Gref, CEO and Chairman of the Executive Board of Sberbank, and HSE University Rector Nikita Anisimov. The agreement is aimed at the implementation of shared educational, research, career-guidance, awareness-raising, and informational projects.

During the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, HSE Rector Nikita Anisimov signed cooperation agreements with regional heads, university rectors, heads of companies, government agencies, public organisations, and cultural institutions. This cooperation with new partners will cover a wide range of areas—from educational and research projects to student expeditions and youth policy.

The meeting was held in person for the first time in over two years. It was attended by Sergey Kravtsov, Russian Minister of Education, and Dmitry Smyslov, Vice President of VK. The Council discussed HSE University’s breakthrough projects in engineering and artificial intelligence and elected new distinguished and tenured professors.

Youth as a driver of economic development, the Arctic as a region of constructive cooperation, and innovation as a way to dispel illusions. Experts from HSE University took part in sessions of the 2022 St Petersburg International Economic Forum and HSE Rector Nikita Anisimov answered questions in the interactive studio of the Knowledge Society.

In the run-up to the new admissions campaign, HSE University Rector Nikita Anisimov met with journalists from leading media outlets to brief them on the upcoming campaign, focusing in particular on the types of support available to applicants and students and on international admissions.

HSE University in Moscow held the ‘30 Years Together’ International Partners’ Week. Embassy and university representatives from Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan attended the opening meeting. Representatives of HSE campuses in Perm, Nizhny Novgorod, and St. Petersburg also took part in the event.

HSE representatives attended the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum and contributed to many of its sessions. What technologies, approaches and strategies are relevant in this new reality we find ourselves in? HSE Rector Nikita Anisimov, HSE Academic Supervisor Yaroslav Kuzminov and other experts offered their perspectives on these issues during panel discussions.

HSE University and other leading Russian universities have signed a memorandum with VK and Skillbox to develop online learning and remote-education technologies in Russia. The signing took place at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum.

The results of the vote were announced at the General Assembly of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), which took place from June 1-3. The newly elected Members and Corresponding Members of the RAS include eight scholars from HSE University.

Russia’s relations with Ibero-America go back more than five centuries and include more than 200 years of permanent diplomatic relations. The need to build a multipolar world and expand cooperation between Russia and the countries of Latin America—including in the field of science and education—was discussed at the Third International Ibero-America and Russia: Diplomacy and Diplomats Conference held at HSE University.

HSE University and VK have announced their strategic cooperation in the field of online education. The partners plan to launch an educational platform that offers courses from leading Russian universities.

HSE University and Tinkoff have signed an agreement on strategic cooperation on the development of secondary education in Russia. The cooperation will be implemented as part of the ‘Developing intellectual competitions’ project within HSE University’s strategic development programme.

From April 5–22, 2002, the  XXIII Yasin (April) International Academic Conference on Economic and Social Development will be held in Moscow. Its participants include leading scientists and experts, representatives from the business community, politicians and leaders of state bodies. Over 700 papers will be presented at the Conference and discussed in almost 150 sessions and 24 sections.

Nikita Anisimov, HSE University Rector, has joined the Board of Directors of VK Company Limited as Independent Director. VK is building an ecosystem that is used by more than 90% of the Runet audience. Millions of people use its services to solve a variety of everyday tasks online.

HSE Rector Nikita Anisimov met representatives of the HSE Situation Centre to discuss the results of its volunteers’ efforts. The meeting focused on new forms of support and the problems faced by students.

The HSE University Situation Centre (established by the University administration at the initiative of the Student Council) helps HSE students and staff who need support in light of the current international situation. The Centre’s volunteers can provide information about psychological and financial assistance, study process issues, and other questions.

The decision to create the laboratory was based on the results of an open competition organised by HSE University. The winner of the competition was the project ‘The role of non-coding RNA in facilitating active ageing’ led by Maxim Shkurnikov, Associate Professor of the HSE University Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology.

Forbes Russia Education talked to HSE University’s new Rector, Nikita Anisimov, about the key difficulties and challenges facing the university, areas of future development, the unique culture of Russian universities and whether a change of administration impacts it, whether universities should change in response to the times, the importance of internationalization and its use to students. HSE News Service offers a translation of the interview.

A regular session of the HSE Academic Council considered the key aspects of university’s operations in 2022. In particular, the business plan for 2022 and the planning period of 2023 and 2024 was approved, the decision to rename the Faculty of Communications, Media and Design to the Faculty of Creative Industries was made, and the Regulations on Organization of Interim and Ongoing Assessment of Students were approved.

The Programme of HSE Development until 2030 has been approved by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin’s order. The document outlines the goals, tasks and responsibilities of the government and HSE University for its strategic development. According to the programme, the university’s strategic goal is its continuing development as a leading research, educational, analytical, consulting, and project university, which can compete head-to-head with the world’s best universities.

On December 1, key areas of HSE University’s recently adopted strategy were presented at the extended meeting of the International Advisory Committee. Outgoing and new members of IAC learnt more about the University’s initiatives in human capital and AI research, as well as about its plans to build a Master’s Engineering School.

eSTARS 2021, an international online conference organized by HSE University in partnership with Coursera, has taken place for the fourth time, attracting more than 1,300 participants from about 50 countries. Participants included education administrators, academic leaders, and representatives of leading EdTech companies. The conference featured about 100 research presentations.

The founders of the HSE Film Institute have described it as an alternative to acknowledged film schools, a brand-new approach to cinema education, and a place to learn acting skills under the industry’s best teachers. On November 22, HSE University Rector Nikita Anisimov welcomed renowned Russian film producers, actors and other industry professionals to an event dedicated to the new institute.

On December 1^st and 2^nd, 2021, the eLearning Stakeholders and Researchers Summit (eSTARS 2021), an international online conference organized by HSE University in partnership with Coursera, will take place. eSTARS will discuss pressing issues facing universities today in the context of the growing interdependence of digital technology, the economy and education.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused global economic, social and technological transformations. Experts from HSE University and other education and research institutions from various countries discussed these transformations and other relevant trends for the future at the 3rd International Conference ‘East and West at the Stage of New Transformations: The Post-Covid Changes’.

On November 9, 2021, HSE University signed a memorandum of understanding with Wageningen University & Research, a major university in the Netherlands and one of the leading agricultural research institutes in the world. Participants of the signing ceremony included HSE University Rector Nikita Anisimov, President of the Wageningen University & Research Executive Board Professor Louise Fresco, and Dutch Ambassador to Russia Gilles Beschoor Plug.

HSE University Rector Nikita Anisimov, along with the heads of many other leading Russian universities and tech companies signed the National Code of Ethics in the field of Artificial Intelligence. HSE University experts took part in the development of this document. The presentation of the code and the signing ceremony took place at the first International Forum on "Ethics of Artificial Intelligence: the Beginning of Trust".

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.

On October 5, HSE University’s International Advisory Committee held an online session. Yaroslav Kuzminov, HSE University Academic Supervisor, introduced the new leadership structure of the University and Rector Nikita Anisimov spoke about his vision for HSE University’s development. Meeting participants discussed various aspects of the University strategy.