International Expert Day III.“Social entrepreneurship and service learning: a new perspective on the mission of the university”

HSE SPB Satellite Lab - UTM Malaysia 10:00–18:00, November 27, 2025

About the Event

On November 27, 2025, the International Expert Day III will be held on the theme “Social Entrepreneurship and Service Learning: A New Perspective on the University Mission.” The event aims to provide a platform for open dialogue and exchange of best practices, bringing together distinguished researchers, practitioners, university leaders, and social partners to discuss the main directions for the development of service learning and social entrepreneurship.

Special emphasis will be placed on the formation of sustainable social partnerships between educational institutions and external stakeholders. As demonstrated in the collective monograph “Service Learning and the Social Mission of the University,” the formulation and implementation of specific social objectives in partnership with universities serve as an effective mechanism for addressing contemporary societal challenges. These objectives enhance the practical orientation of the educational process, foster civic engagement among students, and reaffirm the university’s institutional role as an agent of social transformation.

The International Expert Day will facilitate mutual learning and the establishment of new research and practice-oriented collaborations. Discussions will focus on integrating educational and social practices, strengthening intersectoral dialogue among universities, social enterprises, non-governmental organizations, and public authorities, and identifying models that enable higher education institutions to act as proactive participants in sustainable societal development.

A Highlight of the Event

A special highlight of the International Expert Day III will be the presentation of two new publications by the Laboratory for Reputation Management in Education of HSE University – Saint Petersburg.

• The first book, “Bridging Horizons: Exploring Social Entrepreneurship in Malaysia and Russia,” published in July 2025 and recently presented in Kuala Lumpur, focuses on a comparative analysis of social entrepreneurship in Russia and Malaysia. It reflects the dynamic development of ecosystems and practices in these countries. The volume presents the main research findings and insights of the Mirror Laboratory. It comprises 12 chapters that offer a comparative study of key dimensions of social entrepreneurship: human-centered approaches, knowledge management, the role of higher education, sustainable development, community empowerment, and digital innovation within social ecosystems.

• The second book, “Service Learning and the Social Mission of the University: Implementing Practice and Engaging with Social Partners” (authors: Magdalena Gaete and Olga Dymarskaya), provides methodological guidelines for integrating service-learning practices into the educational process.

As noted in the foreword by Dr. Varvara Y. Kulkova, Doctor of Economics, “For the reflective reader, the content of this book is a ‘golden key’ that opens the door to a demanding yet inspiring and creative path of lifelong social service — a path whose roadmap is laid during one’s university years. Those who embark on this journey of service rarely turn back. For more than a century, universities have been the vanguard of developing social service through the methodology of Service Learning (SL).”

Particular attention during the event will be devoted to networking sessions, which will provide unique opportunities to exchange experiences, establish partnerships, and initiate joint projects among scholars, government representatives, business leaders, and civil society organizations.

The International Expert Day III will take place over one day and serve as a platform for open dialogue, mutual learning, and the formation of new research and practical collaborations in service learning and social entrepreneurship at the university level.

RepLab Expert Days

The tradition of holding Expert Days originated as part of an initiative by the International Consortium on Social Entrepreneurship and University Reputation, which brings together leading universities and research centers from Russia, Malaysia, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, and other countries. These gatherings have become a unique platform for exchanging knowledge and best practices, where researchers and practitioners jointly explore the roles of universities and social enterprises in addressing the most pressing challenges of contemporary society.

Since 2023, the event at HSE University – Saint Petersburg has featured representatives from the Consortium’s member universities, as well as experts from academia, government, business, and the social sector. The program of the research day includes two sections that integrate research and practice in pursuit of the common good.