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The large-scale international forum gathered representatives from Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America in St Petersburg. Apart from the intense business programme with expert discussions, signing of agreements, and creating international collaborations, guests of HSE University–St Petersburg got to know the cultural heritage of the Northern capital—seeing the city from the Neva and visiting the Hermitage, Tsarskoye Selo, and other significant sights.

The honoured guest of the HSE St Petersburg International Week was Yogesh Singh, rector of the University of Delhi. He held a discussion with employees of two international mirror laboratories and also delivered an open lecture for students and professors of HSE University 'India-Russia: Friendship of Ganga and Volga'.

The building of HSE University-St Petersburg on Kantemirovskaya Street hosted a festival devoted to the culture of Arab countries. The event featured presentations of traditions, national dances, and dishes by students from Iraq, Algeria, Chad, Jordan, Morocco, Lebanon, Egypt, Palestine, Yemen and the United Arab Emirates.

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).

HSE University–St Petersburg has held the grand award ceremony for the winners and prizewinners of INTO HSE 2025, which was organised with support from the Russian House in Jakarta. The competitions took place in Surabaya and Jakarta and served as an important step in developing educational cooperation between Russia and Indonesia.

The hero of the April interview is Evgeny Akulov, a 2021 graduate of the bachelor's programme 'Political Science and World Politics' and a 2024 graduate of the master's programme 'Comparative Politics of Eurasia'. He is sure that political science is not about 'politics', it's about a mindset, analysis and an ability to debate correctly. Back in school, Evgeny took an interest in debating—and this hobby has turned into a profession. At HSE University, he became the head of the club 'HSE Debating Society' ('ВШЭсть') and took part in championships, including a world one. Now, he teaches others how to debate and helps speakers to perform confidently and persuasively. Why does a political scientist need debates? How does the experience in debating help in your career and life? Why is public speaking not a 'natural-born talent' but a skill which can be developed? Read on to find out the answers to these questions and much more.

HSE University was the only participant from Russia to hold its own expert sessions at the annual conference and exhibition of the Asia-Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE). The delegation was headed by Anna Tyshetskaya, Director of HSE University–St Petersburg.

Luis Santaella, from Mexico, graduated from the Bachelor’s programme ‘Political Science and World Politics’ in 2022. He participated in an international mobility programme in Rome during his studies and is currently working as a political consultant. In this interview, Luis shares his impressions of HSE University–St Petersburg and gives advice to future students from Latin America.