HSE University–St Petersburg Presents Project on Social Entrepreneurship at Session of Russian–Malaysian Working Group
Alexander Sorokin, Dean of the St Petersburg School of Social Sciences, presented the results of a joint Russian–Malaysian mirror laboratory project in social entrepreneurship at the second meeting of the Russian–Malaysian Working Group on Education, Science, and Technology at the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM).
The meeting of the international working group took place in Malacca City and was led by Ayrat Gatiyatov, Deputy Minister of Education and Science of the Russian Federation, and Megat Sany Megat Ahmad Supian, Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry of Higher Education of Malaysia.
Alexander Sorokin, Dean of the St Petersburg School of Social Sciences, presented the concept, results, and plans for developing the mirror laboratory in social entrepreneurship. The project is carried out by the Laboratory for Reputation Management in Education of the St Petersburg School of Social Sciences and the ACT laboratory at UTM Azman Hashim International Business School. The initiative started in 2023: the project launched in Kuala Lumpur in November and at HSE University–St Petersburg in May 2024.
Over one and a half years of cooperation, they have carried out more than ten joint scientific and educational events in four countries, published four digests in Russian and English on social entrepreneurship, and prepared an analytical report on social entrepreneurship in Russia and two research papers.
Alexander Sorokin
Dean of the St Petersburg School of Social Sciences
A distinguishing feature of my presentation was the focus not only on ideas and plans for our interaction with our colleagues from UTM but also specific results and further plans in the spheres of research, education, and the development of international cooperation, which sparked the interest of Malaysian and Russian colleagues.
As part of the business trip to Malaysia, Alexander Sorokin held a series of meetings with representatives of the international office, the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, and the business school of the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). The parties confirmed their common interests in the management and digitalisation of cultural heritage, public health, urban studies, the social sustainability of local communities, and other topics. Research groups from both universities will continue their cooperation in these areas.
Alexander Sorokin also delivered classes for PhD and MBA students of UTM.
HSE University–St Petersburg is consistently increasing its presence in the Asia-Pacific region. At present, the university maintains partnerships with five leading Malaysian universities and carries out student exchange programmes and joint research initiatives. In November 2023, supported by Rossotrudnichestvo in Indonesia, HSE University opened the first educational hub for students from APR countries, which is coordinated by the HSE campus in St Petersburg. A significant step in enhancing scientific and technological cooperation was the signing of an agreement between HSE University and the Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT), coordinated by the Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge at HSE University and the Malaysian Foresight Institute. The agreement provides for joint research and exchange of experience in the sphere of long-term forecasting of scientific and technological development and venture policy.