In Search of a Balance: Highlights and Insights from the XVI International Conference on Higher Education (ICHE)
Taking place from October 29 to 31, the conference explored how universities and public institutions can create optimal learning environments when the interests of different stakeholders often diverge. Participants discussed what compromise strategies are already in use and how higher education systems are adapting to new social and technological realities.
ICHE, initiated by the Institute of Education, has become a distinguished and long-standing tradition that continues to grow in prominence each year," Tatyana Vasilyeva, HSE Vice Rector, noted at the opening ceremony.
According to Evgeniy Terentev, Dean of the Institute of Education, this year’s ICHE was among the most competitive to date: out of 242 submitted proposals, only a third were accepted. Over three days, 24 academic sessions featured scholars from leading universities worldwide — including Tsinghua University, the University of Hong Kong, Peking University, and the University of Pretoria — fostering rich discussions and genuine international collaboration.
Private and Public Good at the Universities around the World
First of all, I'm here to seek collaboration with Russian colleagues. Today, it crucial more than ever that we work more closely together and share our mutual experiences," Prof. Rui Yang from the University of Hong Kong declared on the first day.
The ICHE provided a unique platform for comparing experiences from universities around the world, discussing the most pressing issues, and identifying shared solutions.
Prof. Po Yang from Peking University explored how the rapid growth of young universities is reshaping the global higher education landscape. In her keynote address, she analysed 228 European institutions across 24 countries and 271 Asian universities across 26 economies. The study revealed four distinct strategic profiles, showing that young universities adopt diverse approaches reflecting different balances between conformity and differentiation.
Further research could include joint study of exploring factors influencing configurations and choice of strategy, analysing impacts of strategy on development performance", Prof. Po Yang pointed out.
Returning to the Chinese context, Prof. Rui Yang from Hong Kong University discussed “Balancing Excellence and Equity in China’s Higher Education: Achievements, Challenges, and the Public – Private Divide.” He highlighted China’s state-led model, characterised by strong central control, technological advancement, and global competitiveness. While this approach has proved highly effective in early stages of development, Prof. Yang argued that sustained progress now requires greater openness and institutional autonomy.
Prof. Santosh Mehrotra then offered insights into India’s higher education system, focusing on lessons drawn from the BRICS countries. Despite their differences, these nations collectively demonstrate multiple pathways to expanding higher education. For India, the key challenge remains finding the right balance between access, quality, and affordability within a predominantly private sector.
Higher Education Trends in Russia
How can universities promote students’ social and psychological well-being? What more can be done to support their development? These were the central questions of the first day’s plenary session.
Researchers from HSE University and Tomsk State University presented the results of an original empirical study exploring the factors behind student well-being across Russian universities. They argued that universities should focus on creating conditions for well-being in the learning process rather than simply providing comfort — through counselling services, targeted training, and open-access self-help resources.
Another major theme addressed the growing influence of technology. The plenary session “How Artificial Intelligence Is Changing the Landscape of Higher Education: International Perspectives and the Russian Context” brought together researchers and practitioners to discuss how AI is transforming teaching and learning. Speakers noted that universities are moving from experimentation toward systematic integration of AI, while still debating how best to ensure its responsible use.
Our mission is now to educate students to view dialogue with artificial intelligence not as a replacement for thinking, but as a means of developing it," Ksenia Tarasova, Director of the HSE Centre for Psychometrics and Measurement in Education, believed.
The 16th conference was a resounding success, providing Russian and international researchers with an invaluable opportunity to discuss the latest trends in higher education. The incredible variety and quality of the topics raised, as well as inspiring international contacts established, truly demonstrate the rapidly growing need for such collaborative events.
We would like to thank all the conference participants, listeners and organisers. This year’s conference has become the most intense and strong since the pandemic. We can't wait to see you at next year's event!’ Evgeniy Terentev concluded.
The Institute of Education is thrilled to host this conference, which is set to be a dynamic hub for collaboration and innovation. We're confident that this event will play a crucial role in helping universities across different countries and regions find the best solutions for balancing private and public interests in higher education.
Stay tuned and follow all updates on the official conference page: