Get Ready to Innovate
English language Master’s Programme 'Governance of Science, Technology and Innovation' of the Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge opens new 5th enrolment. 18 April there was the first meeting with the interested candidates. Future innovators, high-tech startup creators and policy makers in S&T took part in the interactive foresight session — in a very uncommon format for the Open Doors Day. Such communication was of great value for all the participants, and made some of them come again — with the applications for admission.
The Programme is unlikely the other HSE Programmes is founded under the biggest research institute. Its director and the HSE First Vice Rector Leonid Gokhberg told the candidates how this unique endorsement impacts the study process and what opportunities it gives to the future career. He described ISSEK research infrastructure and project tools used in foresight and STI policy, told about regular research conferences and seminars for students to obtain important experience and even present their reports. Thanks to wide partnership network of the Institute students take internships in international organisations (e.g.: OECD), leading foreign universities, companies, governmental structures and development agencies.
Academic supervisor of the Master’s Programme Dirk Meissner told about 2-stream specialization (STI Management and STI Policy, which students choose on the 2nd year of studies) and 2 kinds of mobility: double-degree programmed (DDPs) or student exchange programmes (SEAs). In the first case students spend a year in one of the partner universities — Maastricht University (The Netherlands), Seoul National University (Republic of Korea) or Technische Universität Berlin (TUB) (Germany), and the second year at HSE, and graduate with two diplomas of two universities. Moreover the Master’s has agreements on student exchange with the Middle East Technical University (Ankara, Turkey) and University of Bremen (Germany) in the frames of which students can study for 1–2 modules in the partner universities.
Full immersion into newest theories and international practices in STI policy formation can be acquired only in English language.
Learning-by-doing
Managing science, one of the most complicated systems, its for people with knowledge and greater aims. During interactive foresight session 'Let’s Explore Your Future' led by Prof. Ozcan Saritas guests and prospective students had a chance to set proper questions for personal future and investigate global development scenarios. Such format of interaction and communication was first tried at this Open Doors Day and inspired guest as well as professors. Candidates interested in 'research', 'management' and 'policy' got united into three groups just to find answers to the great challenges as: climate change, deforestation consequences, health service challenges, product safety precautions, etc. This game involved the prospective students and their future professors, Programme’s directors and the Vice Rector — all together they determined and discussed the global trends, analysed possible solutions and outcomes for stakeholders’ benefit.
One more interactive master-class 'Successful Career Start' devoted to XXI century competences was taught by Sofia Chernogortseva, Deputy Head of Analytical Research at ISSEK, Formerly she worked as an Executive Director for attracting young talents at Sberbank and Vice Rector for Business Development at Innopolis (Kazan, Tatarstan). At Innopolis Sofia worked with the first cohort graduate of the Programme 'Governance of STI' Alyona Protasova and as her employer highly evaluated the skills and competences acquired at this Programme.
Student insides
What the DDP is and what experience it gives — such impressions presented Vladа Brilliantovа and Nazerke Rakimgaliyeva sharing their stories of studying at Double Degree Master's Programme of the Higher School of Economics and the Technische Universität Berlin (TUB). Together with the experience of living in a multicultural environment, students obtained great professional competencies. As a follow-up, Vlada and Nazerke published a joint article. They told more about their life and studies in Berlin in the interview on the Programme website.
Gero Parzefall, student from Technische Universität Berlin shared his experience of studying in Moscow: 'My overall experience at HSE has been very positive. In Berlin education is mainly focused on entrepreneurship, startups and sustainable development. Moscow offered a nice change from that because here you have a policy focus, foresight and strategic planning. The combination of two perspectives significantly expands my professional horizons. I think I had a very well-rounded education. The academic and corporate connections HSE has allows it to make the courses really insightful and useful and invite very interesting guest lectures. I’m really impressed by the foresight courses here, especially Corporate Foresight course'. More details about Gero Parzefall’s life in the capital of Russia and his plans for the future can be found in his interview for HSE.
Natali Hall, a 1st-year student from the USA, appreciates such important features of the Programme as interdisciplinary nature and flexibility in choosing learning paths. Among her classmates there are engineers, chemists, physicists, sociologists, doctors and businessmen. Diverse backgrounds help students see things from new perspectives during seminars and project work. 'We are very research based. I’m doing AI implementation in financial sector. It can be used to control trade, banking, etc. eliminating a lot of people risk. The programme offers me a lot of flexibility. It provides a wide range of knowledge, and after graduation I can work in different areas.'
Applicants’ expectations
Veronika Belostropova, MGIMO, International Law School: 'I'm writing my thesis on blockchain and cryptocurrency. And I'm interested in management. I have two projects of my own: one related to neurotechnologies and the other is about biotechnologies. I want to continue working on these projects and start doing science at University. Today I have seen many perspectives for myself, and I think that I will apply for the programme.'
Stefan Amaximoaie, graduate electronic engineer (bachelor's degree) and a medical technician (master's degree) from Romania, is now a student of the HSE Preparatory Year Course: 'I came to learn more about the programme. I wonder how innovation, technology and STI management are seen here. I really liked the presentation of the programme and especially the interactive part.'
Danila Razumov, MGIMO, School of International Business and Business Administration: 'I am fond of blockchain technology, artificial intelligence, Internet of things. I believe that such technologies can globally change the current state of things in the modern world, for example, they may improve the welfare of developing countries.'
Peter Akolzin, HSE, Faculty of Business and Management: 'I am interested in big data.'
Alexander Erakhtin, RUDN, Management of Knowledge-Intensive Industries: 'I liked the interactive introduction to the programme and meeting with professors. If this goes on — that is great! Innovation is the future.'