Academic mission in Ecuador

The HSE University – St. Petersburg Laboratory for Reputation Management in Education participated in an academic mission to Quito, Ecuador, dedicated to developing international cooperation in higher education, social entrepreneurship, and sustainable development. The visit included meetings with leading universities in the country, representatives of the social entrepreneurship ecosystem, and participation in Ecuador's largest education exhibition.

Ecuador – Russia's Educational Partner
Ecuador is one of Russia's active educational partners in Latin America. Russian and Ecuadorian universities are gradually expanding their academic ties, including joint educational programs, research collaboration, and student mobility. The country's capital, Quito, is an important educational hub in the region. The city has a population of approximately 2.7 million, and its higher education system includes approximately 40 universities and technical institutes.

HSE University – St. Petersburg Academic Mission to Quito
From February 23 to 28, 2026, Magdalena Gaete, Head of the Laboratory for Reputation Management in Education at HSE University – St. Petersburg, held a series of academic meetings at universities in Quito. The goal of the mission was to study the university ecosystem of the Ecuadorian capital, exchange experiences in the development of social entrepreneurship and sustainable development, and identify areas for future international academic projects.

During the visit, meetings were held with representatives of several universities:

• Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ)
• Universidad de Los Hemisferios (UDH)
• Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador (PUCE)
• Universidad Iberoamericana del Ecuador
• Universidad Politécnica Salesiana (UPS)
• Universidad Central del Ecuador (UCE)
• Schoela Politécnica Nacional (EPN)
• Universidad de Las Américas (UDLA)
• Universidad Internacional del Ecuador

During the meetings, opportunities for joint research projects, student and faculty mobility, and the development of educational programs in social entrepreneurship and sustainable development were discussed. Particular attention was paid to collaboration with the Universidad de Las Américas, where a meeting was held with Paul Sarango-Lalangui, Director of International Relations and Business Researcher. The prospects for university participation in international research consortia and joint academic initiatives were discussed.

Lecture on the Future of Universities
As part of the visit, Magdalena Gaete delivered a masterclass lecture for the leadership of the University of Los Hemisferios, dedicated to the transformation of universities in the face of contemporary global challenges. The lecture was based on the Quintuple Helix concept, which views universities as key participants in innovation ecosystems that unite academia, government, business, civil society, and the natural environment. Particular attention was paid to the role of universities in developing social innovation, sustainable development, and public leadership, as well as how higher education can generate long-term social impact.

Interaction with the Social Entrepreneurship Ecosystem
In addition to universities, the academic mission included meetings with representatives of the social entrepreneurship infrastructure. A meeting was held with the non-governmental organization AUGE, which develops acceleration programs for social impact projects. Models for supporting social entrepreneurs and the role of universities in developing entrepreneurship education were discussed. A meeting was also held with representatives of CONQUITO, the Quito municipal economic development agency, which implements programs to support entrepreneurs and innovative projects in the city.

Participation in an Educational Exhibition
The visit concluded with participation in Expo Calidad Educativa 2026, Ecuador's largest educational exhibition dedicated to higher education, international programs, and professional training opportunities. The exhibition is attended annually by approximately 10,000 high school graduates and representatives of educational organizations. The event brings together universities, educational organizations, and international institutions, providing a platform for developing academic cooperation and attracting prospective students.

Development of International Academic Networks
The academic mission expanded HSE St. Petersburg's contacts with Ecuadorian universities and identified new areas of collaboration. Promising areas include joint research projects, academic exchanges, educational initiatives in sustainable development and social entrepreneurship, and the development of international academic networks. The visit was an important step in strengthening HSE University – St. Petersburg's international presence in Latin America and developing a global dialogue about the future of universities and their role in addressing societal challenges.