Professor Santosh Mehrotra's Visit to Moscow
As part of the XXV Yasin (April) International Academic Conference, Professor Mehrotra delivered an honorary lecture where he addressed the challenges and prospects of economic growth in the BRICS countries. His lecture was grounded in the concept of the “narrow corridor” (the Narrow Corridor, Acemoglu). His presentation vividly demonstrated that developing countries have less than a hundred years to implement deep economic reforms—far less time than today’s developed economies had. Among the key issues, he highlighted the high proportion of informal employment, ranging from 21% in Russia to 88% in India, which heightens the vulnerability of millions of workers. He also noted the potential impact of U.S. trade policies under Trump, which could trigger global inflation and recession. As a solution, he suggested that BRICS countries deepen cooperation, reduce economic dependence on the U.S., and invest in human capital development, including education and effective institutions.
On April 16, the professor conducted a seminar for students of the “Evidence-Based Education Development” program. Students gained firsthand insights into decision-making processes at the United Nations and national governments, the variations in social policy depending on country-specific contexts, and the connection between human capital and a nation’s economic growth. During the discussion, students explored in greater depth the nuances of decision-making and their impact on economic development in a context less familiar to Russian researchers and practitioners—specifically, Asian countries such as China and India.
Professor Mehrotra’s visit strengthened friendly ties and marked a significant step toward advancing comparative research in vocational education across BRICS countries. A joint publication is planned in the near future, prepared by colleagues from the Centre for Skills Development and Vocational Education and Professor Mehrotra.