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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.

Michael Appiah, from Ghana, is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the International Laboratory of Intangible-Driven Economy (IDLab) at HSE University–Perm. He recently spoke at the seminar ‘Artificial Intelligence, Digitalization, and Climate Vulnerability: Evidence from Heterogeneous Panel Models’ about his research on ‘the interplay between artificial intelligence, digitalisation, and climate vulnerability.’ Michael told the HSE News Service about the academic journey that led him to HSE University, his early impressions of Perm, and how AI can be utilised to combat climate change.

The International Laboratory for Digital Transformation in Public Administration systems (HSE University) Senior Research Fellow Evgeny Diskin took part in the event "Platform Economy Day", organized by the Presidential Administration of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation The National Centre RUSSIA and the State Development Corporation VEB.RF. The event was held at the site of the Rossiya National Center and was dedicated to the role of digital platforms in ensuring sustainable economic growth, digitalization of public procurement, formation of ecosystems and the development of a new trading model.