‘Aesthetics and Challenges’: HSE University–St Petersburg Unites International Experts at Conference about Future of Higher Education

Professors from HSE University–St Petersburg and researchers from Mexican universities discussed vectors for the development of higher education. The experts highlighted the important role of the academic community in promoting people's well-being.

The international teaching community gathered for the conference 'Ethics, Aesthetics, and the Challenges of Higher Education' held at HSE University–St Petersburg. It was organised by researchers from the School of Arts and Humanities at HSE University–St Petersburg and colleagues from leading Mexican universities. The idea of the conference originated from the results of the Global Summer 2025 programme held in Latin America. The partners subsequently showed interest in holding joint conferences in various fields of expertise.

According to Adrian Selin, Dean of the School of Arts and Humanities, educational approaches at HSE University–St Petersburg are similar to the practices at Mexican universities. This creates a basis for enhancing cooperation.

Adrian Selin

'Today, society is forming ideas about the role and function of universities: it is what unites us and creates common approaches to professors' daily work. We and our colleagues from Mexican universities see a demand for developing students' practical skills. Among the humanities at HSE University, there is consistent demand for studying Latin America; the literature of the region strongly influenced many of us. Historians from HSE University–St Petersburg are already working on research collaborations with colleagues from partner universities. We have common topics and approaches, and, most importantly, an interest in involving students in research,' shared Adrian Selin.

Renata Goroshkova, co-organiser of the conference and Deputy Dean for Research at the School of Arts and Humanities, is confident that international cooperation helps to combine the best research approaches from around the world.

Renata Goroshkova

'We brought together guests from Russian universities, Mexico, the USA, and Europe, so that leading experts and professors could share their perspective and expertise on the development of higher education. High-level scientific discussion with colleagues from different countries will help to identify the role and objectives of humanities education, which is at a crossroads right now. Together with our Mexican partners, we hope to make this conference annual and attract even more researchers from all over the world,' stated Renata Goroshkova.

For Juan Pablo Vargas, Director of the Institute for the Promotion of the Common Good at the Puebla University (UPAEP, Mexico City), it was his first visit to HSE University–St Petersburg. He said that the conference helped to enhance the understanding of the role of higher education in shaping students' values.

'A university's task is to go beyond service and education. Our goal is to instil ethical principles in students. The best way to do that is the subject of our conference—there is no easy answer to this question. Through education, and literature in particular, we teach how to see a complex person behind simple labels, spark curiosity, and encourage them to study various social groups. Without that, there won't be any new breakthrough ideas,' highlighted Juan Pablo Vargas.

The researchers agreed that the search for the truth is a universal university mission. This is why universities are the most important platform for discussions about global human development and the future of technologies.

Prof. Mauricio Lopez Noriega from the Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) presented research on reviving kalokagathos, a key concept of ancient Greek culture that encompasses the unity of moral and ethical features of a person. According to the researcher, developing not only students' practical skills but also dignity and self-respect entails positive transformation in society.

'It is not just students and professors that play a huge role in a university—the relations between them do too. Over the last 30 years, I have seen changes in the paradigm of these relations. It has become harder for us to keep the conversation going, yet this is the foundation for progress. Historic memory, nobility, and mutual help are the qualities necessary to create a decent society,' emphasised the expert.

Maria Volkonskaya, academic supervisor of the Bachelor's programme 'Contemporary Literary Studies' at HSE University–Moscow, highlighted the importance of the conversation about the present and future of higher education. She said that self-reflection within the academic community shapes ways to improve the field.

Maria Volkonskaya

'As university professors, we cannot simply rebroadcast received knowledge. We allow it to go through us and reflect on our gained experience. This conference is a great platform to talk about what is going on with us and at our universities. I liked the concept of transforming ideas about artificial intelligence as an integral part of the educational process. At the same time, AI agents influence us just like we influence them,' she stated.

One of the key conference events was a roundtable covering the balance between HSE University's research mission and the demands of partner universities for personnel. In attendance were Evgeny Kazartsev, Academic Supervisor of the School of Philological Studies at HSE University–Moscow, Adrian Selin, Dean of the School of Arts and Humanities at HSE University–St Petersburg, Amiran Urushadze, candidate of Historical Sciences (PhD), and conference guests from other universities.

Konstantin Polivanov, Academic Supervisor of the Master's programme 'Contemporary Philology in Russian Language and Literature Instruction at Secondary Schools,' emphasised the necessity to transform the curricula of humanities subjects to match the level of applicants.

Konstantin Polivanov

'Meetings and discussions between professors with different professional experience and often different opinions on the issues of higher education are extremely fruitful. I took a strong interest in Adrian Selin's opinion on the necessity, on the one hand, to formulate the humanities' answer to society's needs and, on the other, to attempt to shape demand for attaining fundamental knowledge and searching for the truth,' summed up the expert.

Photo courtesy of Danil Zindul, Anna Simonian, Ksenia Rechkalova