‘HSE Rewards Effort, Discipline, and Critical Thinking’: Graduate from Ghana on His Career in Russia and Two Master’s Diplomas
Alexander Yao Ganyo Ahiekpor arrived in St Petersburg in 2018 to study in the HSE University master’s programme ‘Management and Analytics for Business’. After graduation, he decided to continue his studies and enrolled in a second master’s programme ‘International Business’, to further expand his academic and professional expertise. Today, Alexander works in the Russian fintech company and continues to build his career in Russia. In this interview, he shares his experience of adapting to a new cultural environment and reflects on how his studies at HSE University-St Petersburg shaped his professional path.
Getting Employed in Russia After Studies
Finding employment in Russia upon graduating from HSE University–St Petersburg is realistic—this was the message conveyed on January 25 (Student Day) at a panel session featuring graduates of the university. Sharing both their academic journey and professional achievements, they spoke at the conference organised in the Rope Shop Educational Space.
'Indian Festival of Lights': HSE University-St Petersburg Celebrates Diwali
Bright saris, mehendi, flavorful curry and extraordinary dances—for one day, the HSE building in Kantemirovskaya street turned into hot India. The traditional festival of Diwali, which symbolises the victory of light over darkness, united professors, students and guests from all over the world.
HSE University–St Petersburg Graduate from Mexico Launches Podcast about Russian History
Rainer Matos Franco, HSE University–St Petersburg graduate and candidate of historical sciences, has launched the podcast Russia Aloud (Rusia en Voz Alta). The goal of the project is to dispel myths, prejudices, and distortions in the perception of the country.
'Research on Post-Soviet Exchange Rate Policy': HSE University–St Petersburg Graduate Participates in Scientific Congress in Seoul
Mark Angelo Gajardo, graduate of the Master's programme 'Comparative Politics of Eurasia,' presented his research at the 28th World Congress of Political Science organised by the International Political Science Association (IPSA).
Asian and African Studies at HSE University–St Petersburg Open Doors to International Business
Marina Belyaeva, a graduate of the Bachelor's programme 'Asian and African Studies' at HSE University–St Petersburg, shared how Chinese language proficiency and an understanding of Asian business culture helped her to become a development manager at an international IT company, represent the business at the largest gaming exhibitions in Asia, and build a dream career at the junction of languages and technologies.
‘A Symbiosis of Political Science and Data Analytics’: How HSE University–St Petersburg Graduate and Professor Combines Humanities and Technical Sciences
Yaroslav Barykin graduated from the Bachelor's programme 'Political Science and World Politics,' and then from the Master's programme 'Data Analytics for Politics and Society' with honours. Now, the HSE University–St Petersburg graduate teaches political science students and plans to continue his studies in a PhD programme. Read on to find out more about the symbiosis of humanities and technical sciences, work with private companies, and more.
'Changing Academic Track Is a Chance to Make a More Informed Choice'
Can you enrol in a master's programme in political science without a bachelor's degree in the same field? What prospects does a change of academic track open up? Nikita Zubarev, graduate of the Master's programme 'Comparative Politics of Eurasia,' shares his experience. After a bachelor's in history, he chose to pursue political science: finishing the master's programme, defending his PhD thesis in political science, and now combining teaching with research work in a sociological laboratory. Read on to find out about the track change, admission to a PhD programme, and work at the crossroads of sciences.
'Fifteen Hundred Stories of Success': How 2025 Graduation Ceremony of HSE University-St Petersburg Went
On July 3, the concert and sports complex 'Arena' hosted one of the main events of the year—the graduation ceremony of HSE University-St Petersburg. It gathered more than 4,000 guests: graduates, their friends and families, professors, mentors, and representatives of the university's industrial partners. Find out what the holiday will be remembered for, what plans the main characters have for their adult lives and how the alumni bid farewell to their student lives.
-fotor-20250625103933%20(1).png "‘In My Life, There is Before and After HSE University–St Petersburg’")
‘In My Life, There is Before and After HSE University–St Petersburg’
HSE University–St Petersburg is proud of its graduates. Our alumni pursue careers in a wide variety of fields—from academia and public policy to creative industries and international development. Each story is unique, filled with ambition, perseverance, and meaningful change. Today, we are excited to share the story of Giovanny Simon Machado—a graduate of the Master’s programme 'Applied and Interdisciplinary History "Usable Pasts"'. Now, he is a professor at the Department of Social Work at the Federal University of Pernambuco, Brazil. This May, Prof. Machado came back to Russia as a participant of the HSE University–St Petersburg International Partners’ Week 2025. Read on to learn more about his experience of studying and living in Russia and how it has changed his life.