Daniil Gurin, graduate of HSE University-St Petersburg, planned to devote his life to physics but found his calling in sociology. Now, he builds a career in product research and works at 'Sberbank'. Read on to find out how data analysis helps to solve real-life problems and why it is important to combine theory and practice from the very first days.

On May 26–29, 2026, an HSE University team visited Minsk, the capital of Belarus. The purpose of the trip was to meet and hold talks with Belarusian universities and scientific organisations—HSE University's current and prospective partners.

In 2026, for the third time, HSE University-St Petersburg has served as a platform for global academic dialogue, bringing together representatives of 45 universities from 20 countries. Participants in the International Partners' Week were traditionally assisted by volunteers chosen from among HSE University-St Petersburg students: they met and accompanied guests, helped them get to know the university better, and immersed them in Russian culture.

The second Indo-Russian Education Summit (IRES 2026) took place in New Delhi on May 28–29. This year, the event brought together more than 70 leading Russian and Indian universities. Representatives from HSE University’s Moscow and St Petersburg campuses introduced prospective students to the university’s educational opportunities at the exhibition and shared their experience in developing Russian–Indian academic cooperation.

Alena Chistyakova, 4th-year student of the Bachelor's programme 'Sociology and Social Informatics', spent a semester at the Rennes School of Business on the academic mobility programme. Read on to find out what the exams in France are like, why sociologists have to understand business strategies and what the studies abroad give you.

HSE University-St Petersburg hosted the Arab Culture Day. About 100 guests from Egypt, Yemen, Jordan, Lebanon, Algeria, and other countries got acquainted with the history of the Persian Gulf states, tried on traditional costumes, and tasted Oriental food.