'Popularity and Special Interest': How HSE University-St Petersburg Strengthens Its Positions in Southeast Asia
In November, HSE University-St Petersburg representatives participated in a series of research and educational events in Malaysia and Indonesia. Read on to find out the results of the trip and why it is especially important for HSE University-St Petersburg to develop academic ties with Southeast Asia.
The first stop of the programme was the exhibition 'Russian Universities Day' at the Russian House in Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur). At this event, HSE University-St Petersburg was represented by Svyatoslav Kvartalnov, Director of the Representative Offices Department, and Viktoria Baturina, 3rd-year student of the bachelor's programme 'Political Science and World Politics', who is studying under an exchange programme at Universiti Malaya.
The presentation of HSE University-St Petersburg sparked a special interest among the exhibition guests. Malaysian students and university representatives learnt about educational programmes, he peculiarities of the academic environment in St Petersburg and opportunities for studying in English.
'For me, participation in the exhibition became an important academic and personal experience. University and school students were genuinely interested in HSE—lots of them were surprised by a variety of opportunities and the level of Russian programmes. After the presentation, the universities had fruitful discussions, and you could see how real educational agreements were formed. I was glad to represent my home university abroad and see its popularity', underscored Viktoria Baturina.
The academic mission of HSE University-St Petersburg continued in Indonesia. The delegation took part in the Russian Education Forum—2025 held at the Russian House in Jakarta. Representatives of Indonesian universities, private schools, educational and government agencies learnt about the study opportunities at HSE University-St Petersburg and exchange programmes.
After the forum, the delegation visited several leading high schools in Jakarta. The presentations of HSE University aroused keen interest among the students of 12th grades: the most popular ones were programmes on IT, economics, creative industries and international relations. The meetings resulted in the readiness of schools to participate in the International Olympiad INTO HSE 2026, which is to be held in Indonesia at different venues, including high schools in Jakarta.
The delegation from HSE University-St Petersburg also participated in the international educational exhibition IIETE 2025, which took place in Surabaya (Indonesia). The event gathered more than 30 thousand people. HSE representatives consulted applicants from the East Java region, told them about the admission process, educational programmes and study opportunities in St Petersburg.
'The exhibition IIETE in Surabaya showed how the interest in Russian education is growing in Indonesia. School students, parents and agency representatives came up to us deliberately—they already knew about HSE University and asked about specific programmes. This exhibition was one of the most fruitful this year', commented Bima Yatna Anugerah Ramadhani, director of the HSE University Representative Office in Indonesia.
Olga Gaidova
Director of the International Student and Alumni Centre at HSE University-St Petersburg
I was genuinely struck by how friendly, open and warm-hearted Indonesian school students and their families were. At the exhibition in Surabaya, applicants were very enthusiastic—they asked questions about Russia, St Petersburg, HSE programmes and student life. We felt that our work really helped young people to see new horizons and discover that modern Russian education was open to the world. It is especially pleasant that many guests underscored how popular the HSE brand was and were eager to find out more about our programmes.
The academic mission to Southeast Asia finished with a series of meetings with heads of leading Indonesian universities. With the representatives of the HSE strategic partner—Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS), the delegation outlined the plans for 2026, discussed academic mobility and an increase in joint projects. At Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), the second university in the Indonesian national ranking, HSE delegates talked about the prospects of academic exchange, summer schools and new cooperation formats.
Svyatoslav Kvartalnov
Director of the Representative Offices Department at HSE University-St Petersburg
Each point of our trip—Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta and Surabaya—showed that HSE University was perceived as a modern international university. We saw real interest from school and university students and partners, and negotiations with educational institutions gave a new impetus to the existing cooperation. For us, it is important to line up comprehensive work: participation in forums, meetings with school students, and strategic negotiations with ITS and UNAIR. This business trip was an important stage in expanding the presence of HSE University in Southeast Asia.
Manoj Sharma
Vice President of HSE University-St Petersburg
Strengthening of HSE institutional presence in Indonesia is of special importance, as it creates a foundation for future growth and new projects. The results of this trip prove that our university steadily consolidates its position in one of the most high-potential educational markets in the world.