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ICEF hosted its first in-person graduation ceremony since the pandemic led to restrictions. Diplomas were awarded to two classes. Hosted by HSE Cultures Centre, the day-long ceremony unfolded in sessions, one for Bachelor’s students and one for Master’s. Congratulating graduands were the faculty of ICEF HSE and professors of the University of London (LU) and the London School of Economics (LSE).

The Fourth ICEF Conference on Applied Economics will present the studies conducted by scholars at the universities across the world, that relate to education. We talked with Fabian Slonimczyk, an Associate Professor at ICEF and the conference organizing committee member, to learn more about the highlights of this year’s conference.

Every year, ICEF awards its best-performing undergraduate students with trips to LSE Summer School at the London School of Economics, a key member institution of the University of London (UoL). While last year the School delivered its courses online, this year it offered its participants a choice between online and offline learning – and many chose to come to London despite challenging travel restrictions due to COVID. In this interview, our students share which mode they chose and why, how PCR testing services work at universities in London, what made their travel challenging, and, most importantly, how they found their experience.

Yulia Chekunaeva graduated in one of ICEF’s first classes in 2003. She chose to do her master’s at the University of Warwick and then worked at Sberbank and Goldman Sachs. Yulia is currently Director for Capital Markets & Strategic Initiatives and a Board member at En+ Group, the world’s leading producer of low-carbon aluminum and renewable energy. In this interview, she tells about her student years in London and the USA, her passion for racing, and how new social values are re-shaping the business environment.

Peio Zuazo-Garin, ICEF assistant professor and a PhD graduate from the University of the Basque Country, joined HSE at a time when all the usual formats of research and teaching were disrupted by the pandemic. In an interview he told how to adapt to a new place of work online, what are the pros and cons of academic prestige, why he loves Moscow and why he recalls bullfighting during the discussions with ICEF students.

Svetlana Pavlova earned her bachelor's degree from ICEF in 2003 and won a scholarship to continue her studies at LBS (London Business School). Svetlana is currently a Vice President–Analyst at Moody's Investors. In this interview, she shares how to win an LBS scholarship through academic networking, how IB analytics differs from rating analytics, and how ICEF gives not only diplomas but also friends.

HSE University is renting a 27-storey block of a new apartment complex, Level Amurskaya, located in the Golyanovo District of Moscow. Only university students will be accommodated in the building, and they will have their choice of renting a single studio or a shared apartment. This agreement is another step towards HSE's transition to a service model for accommodating nonresident and foreign students as part of the University Development Program until 2030.

Alisa Zakirova earned her master’s from ICEF in 2018. Currently a Fixed Income Research Analyst at Sber CIB, she deals particularly with sovereign bond. Here is what Alisa thinks sets ICEF Master’s in Financial Economics apart from its counterparts, why ICEF students are advanced users of international practices, and how working can be started during studies in a healthy way.

How has 2020 changed the agendas of the Internet companies? For which jobs the hiring is on the rise right now? What qualities do Internet companies seek in candidates? These and other questions have been raised by the round table New Trends in Internet Business During and After the Pandemic: What qualifications do Internet companies seek in new hires? Organized by HSE ICEF, the roundtable had among its speakers the alumni who are currently employed by Amazon, Stripe, SberMarket, Ozon, Yandex.

A springboard to careers in academia for many promising contestants, this year’s Student Research Paper Competition has announced as many as 13 winners – students and graduates of ICEF.