During the past year, scientists at HSE University have worked on five strategic projects aimed at advancing key areas essential to the development of modern individuals and society. Each of these projects is unique, yet they share common goals: creating innovative product solutions, generating fresh ideas for the economy, social sector, science, and education, and contributing to the university's research potential.

A new project-based learning robotics laboratory has been established at the HSE Faculty of Computer Science. Its creation stemmed from a robotics group formed at the faculty in 2021 on the initiative of alumni. The laboratory's activities will focus on developing autonomous robots capable of operating in complex and dynamic environments.

The accuracy of Russian GDP forecasts during periods of instability improves in 45% of cases when news reports are taken into account. However, during more stable periods, this advantage nearly disappears. News provides an up-to-date view of the economy and enables quicker responses to emerging challenges. This was revealed by an analysis of news reports conducted by Ivan Stankevich and Natalia Makeeva of the HSE Faculty of Economic Sciences, and Nikita Lyubaykin.

Kemal Kivanc Akoz is an Assistant Professor of the Faculty of Economic Sciences. His current activities include research into marriage market dynamics and information agreements among groups of agents. In this interview, Kemal talks about the subjects of his research, the teaching approach that led to him being named one of the university’s Best Teachers, his favourite places to get a coffee in Moscow, and more.

A new joint department with the Marchuk Institute of Numerical Mathematics has been established at the HSE Faculty of Computer Science. This collaboration promises to combine the scientific and educational resources of two leading research centres, enabling the training of highly qualified specialists. The department is headed by Dr Andrey Bogatyrev, a professor and Doctor of Physics and Mathematics.

Aibek Alanov pursues his own scientific research and leads two teams of scientists, one at HSE University and the other at AIRI. In this interview for the HSE Young Scientists project, he explores the parallels between today's AI researchers and early 20th-century physicists, discusses generative models, and shares his passion for bachata partner dancing.

HSE University has held award ceremonies abroad for the winners of the MOM Junior 2024 International Olympiad for 8th–9th Grade Students. This year, the olympiad took place on-site in five countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova (Transnistria), Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

In December 2024, HSE University welcomed successful candidates for tenure-track positions and postdoctoral fellowships. This year, the university strengthened its teaching and research teams with 39 international faculty members, each holding a PhD from leading international institutions such as Maastricht University, the University of Pennsylvania, École Polytechnique, Xi'an Jiaotong University, the National Autonomous University of Mexico, Hunan University, and many others.

Each year, hundreds of students from all over the world decide to pursue knowledge at HSE University- St Petersburg. This journey is filled with excitement, hopes, and discoveries: from choosing a programme, submitting documents, attending interviews, and passing entrance exams to receiving that coveted acceptance letter and finally arriving in Russia.