Latin America in Focus: HSE University–St Petersburg and Chilean University Discuss Launch of Digital Professors Programme
Anna Tyshetskaya, Director of HSE University–St Petersburg, held a working meeting with Claudio Ruff Escobar, Rector of Bernardo O'Higgins University (Chile). The head of the Chilean university got to know the new Rope Shop educational space and discussed the prospects of academic cooperation with HSE University–St Petersburg.
Since 2023, HSE University–St Petersburg has been actively developing ties with the countries of Latin America. Two years ago, the university organised its first extensive academic mission, during which the HSE University–St Petersburg delegation visited five countries and more than 20 universities in the region. The representatives of HSE University–St Petersburg held negotiations with leading Chilean universities, including the University of Concepción and the University of the Andes. In 2024, the academic mission of HSE University–St Petersburg covered several countries and dozens of universities in Latin America.
The visit of Claudio Ruff Escobar, Rector of Bernardo O'Higgins University, was another step in strengthening relations with Chilean partners. Founded in Santiago in 1990, it is now a dynamically developing private university that trains students in various fields—from engineering and computer sciences to medicine and the humanities.
The parties discussed prospects for joint research, academic mobility, and the implementation of digital interaction formats such as the Digital Professors programme, which has been successfully carried out at HSE University since 2020 and aims to attract specialists from leading international universities. Over five years, more than 200 professors from more than 150 world universities have participated in the project.
'We are creating a truly international environment at HSE University. For example, in 2024, we launched an interdisciplinary educational track on Latin American studies. It united courses from three bachelor's programmes: our students learn Spanish and dive into the specifics of the region's politics, economics, and media environment. We're planning to start courses for administrative staff as well. There is a great distance between our countries, but it is easy to overcome thanks to the combination of online and offline interaction formats. The Digital Professors programme is one such example,' underscored Anna Tyshetskaya, Director of HSE University–St Petersburg.
'For us, it is a great honour to meet one of the leading universities in Russia. We saw an impressive university building, and we feel a huge potential for joint work in various spheres—from engineering and computer sciences to social disciplines and humanities,' commented Claudio Ruff Escobar, Rector of Bernardo O'Higgins University.
In late September 2025, the delegation from HSE University–St Petersburg went on its third major academic mission to Latin America. By October 23, HSE University–St Petersburg representatives will have visited Mexico, Peru, Chile, Brazil, and Argentina. The delegation's agenda includes negotiations with the management of leading universities and the discussion of joint projects—including lectures and workshops (including ones in Spanish), short-term mobility programmes for students and staff, and joint research initiatives. The mission is designed to strengthen existing ties and lay the foundation for new partnerships between HSE University–St Petersburg and the academic community of Latin America.
Follow the latest news about the delegation's work on HSE University–St Petersburg's Telegram channel and VK page.