HSE University Represents Russia at Leading International Educational Exhibition APAIE
HSE University was the only participant from Russia to hold its own expert sessions at the annual conference and exhibition of the Asia-Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE). The delegation was headed by Anna Tyshetskaya, Director of HSE University–St Petersburg.
APAIE is the largest and one of the most prestigious events in the sphere of international higher education in the Asia-Pacific region. The exhibition has been held since 2006 and has become a platform for interaction between leading specialists from worldwide higher education institutions. In 2025, APAIE took place in New Delhi (India) and united more than 1,100 universities and 2,500 representatives from almost 70 countries. As part of the business programme, HSE University held two expert sessions together with international partners.
Representatives of UPES (India) and ITS (Indonesia) joined the session 'Leveraging University Expertise for Climate Action: Collaborative Approaches.' The moderator of the session was Anna Tyshetskaya, Director of HSE University–St Petersburg. Alexander Sorokin, Dean of the St Petersburg School of Social Sciences, presented the experience of HSE University in implementing practices of sustainable development using the example of two joint expeditions with the University of Delhi (India) in the Himalayas.
The second session was devoted to the experience of HSE University in launching international mirror laboratories. Magdalena Gaete, head of the first mirror laboratory at HSE University–St Petersburg, presented joint social entrepreneurship research carried out with the University of Technology Malaysia. The moderator of the session was Maria Kiseleva, Head of the International Office at HSE University–St Petersburg.
Anna Tyshetskaya
Director of HSE University–St Petersburg
HSE University is actively developing new formats of cooperation with our partners. International mirror laboratories, the Digital Professor programme, and joint research expeditions—these and other projects allow us to involve more students and professors in international communication. In this sense, we are pioneers. The experience presented at APAIE aroused great interest among international universities, many of which expressed the desire to launch similar projects with HSE University.
HSE University has been collaborating closely with Indian universities since 2022. APAIE 2025 took place at one of HSE University’s partners—O. P. Jindal Global University, a leading private university in India. At the forum, the HSE University delegation held negotiations with representatives of the largest educational institutions in India. Under new partnership agreements, HSE University–St Petersburg, Bennett University, and Symbiosis International University discussed the launch of international mirror laboratories for space and artificial intelligence studies as well as the opening of a Centre for Russian Language. The parties also plan to have exchange programmes for students and faculty, joint research and publications, and organise conferences, seminars, and other events.
HSE University also signed an agreement with Jawaharlal Nehru University, which has long been considered one of India's top universities. 'The exchange agreement and previously signed cooperation agreement with Jawaharlal Nehru University open up great opportunities for both parties: joint research, online and offline lectures, semester exchanges, and internships for master's and PhD students. In the future, we might develop joint courses for continuing professional development for professors and research fellows from both institutions. The parties are also discussing joint projects in international relations, the Russian language and literature,' explained Sofia Sadykova, Deputy Head of the International Partnerships Office.
The delegation from HSE University held more than 20 meetings at APAIE with representatives of leading universities from Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, and countries in Europe and Latin America. The university also discussed the opportunity to hold a joint session on online learning with São Paulo State University (Brazil) at APAIE 2026. Representatives of the Federal University of Minas Gerais (Brazil) met with the delegation to discuss student mobility programmes, joint educational and research initiatives, and cooperation as part of the activities of the BRICS Network University international thematic group supervised by HSE University. The representatives of the Federal University of Minas Gerais expressed their interest in cooperation with HSE University in online education.
'We aim to develop joint projects in dialogue with our partners—from exchanging educational content to forming network partnerships and creating joint educational products,' underscored Anastasia Vyskubina, Head of the Online Project Support Department at HSE University.
Oleg Korneev, Academic Supervisor of the Bachelor's programme 'International Relations and Global Studies,' highlighted the importance of continuous contact with partner universities at various events, including APAIE. 'Participation in the conference allowed us to communicate face to face with representatives of Brazilian universities and continue the dialogue which started on the Russia–Brazil International Partners' Day at HSE University in October 2024. The Brazilian universities represented in Delhi included both partners of HSE University and other universities with educational programmes which are close to us in terms of spirit and content. We and our partners—the Federal University of Minas Gerais (FUMG) and Sao Paulo State University (UNESP)—discussed the development of various cooperation formats which would allow students of the programme to gain experience studying abroad and accumulating international social capital.'
'This is not the first time we have participated in APAIE. For us, it is a perfect opportunity to meet our current partners and discuss the potential of expanding our activities and opportunities to intensify student flows both to and from Russia. The conference space is an open dialogue during which we can lay a good foundation for future cooperation with new potential partners,' emphasised Tatiana Gremiakina, Manager of the Centre for International Student Mobility and Educational Projects at the HSE University Department of Internationalisation.