Russian Education in Global Focus: IOE at the Nanjing International Forum
The three-day event brought together over 100 scholars, policymakers, and education experts from China, Russia, and Kazakhstan. Russia was represented by colleagues from the HSE Institute of Education and the Russian Academy of Education, who joined discussions on the major challenges and transformations shaping the country’s educational landscape. The programme combined keynote lectures, thematic sessions, and panel discussions, creating a dynamic platform for in-depth interdisciplinary dialogue. Topics included higher education reform and internationalisation, curriculum development, secondary vocational education, digital transformation, inclusion, and the role of education in shaping social values and national identity.
Researchers from the IOE contributed to several plenary sessions with analyses of key shifts and challenges within Russian education.
Svetlana Zhuchkova, Deputy Director of the Institute of Education, examined the current state of doctoral education in Russia. She highlighted structural issues—including limited funding, insufficient academic support, and ineffective selection mechanisms—and contextualised these challenges within broader international trends.
Ivan Ivanov, Director of the Pinsky Centre of General and Extracurricular Education, presented an overview of recent developments in Russian school education. He discussed progress in digitalisation and inclusion, as well as ongoing challenges such as regional disparities, demographic decline, teacher shortages, and mismatches between educational outcomes and labour market demands.
The forum is an excellent example of cooperation not only with Chinese colleagues, but also with the Russian Academy of Education, for which the agenda of the Institute of Education has always been on the sidelines. We see that our vision and interpretations are in demand both domestically and internationally. The Institute's systemic research is a strong point that continues to evolve and advance, — Ivan Ivanov noted.
Vera Maltseva, Director of the Centre for Skills Development and Vocational Education, traced the evolution of secondary vocational education in Russia over the past decade. She outlined key institutional changes, shifts in student flows, developments in training models, and the strengthening of cooperation with employers—emphasising the growing importance of vocational pathways in national strategies.
This forum was a truly significant moment of cultural and academic exchange, and we were deeply impressed by the depth and nuance of our Chinese colleagues’ analyses of Russian education. This experience once again confirmed the strategic importance of our collaboration and the value of sustained, substantive dialogue between our research communities, — Vera Maltseva shared her experience.
The Nanjing Forum not only spotlighted pioneering research on Russian and international education but also offered a valuable opportunity to strengthen strategic academic partnerships. Fostering cross-border intellectual collaboration and dialogue in this way contributes to the development of joint research agendas and reinforces the Institute’s growing role in international discussions on educational innovation, policy and reform.
We extend our sincere gratitude to Nanjing University, as well as to all participating partner institutions, for creating an environment that enabled thoughtful, productive, and truly inspiring academic dialogue.