‘At HSE University I Had the Opportunity to Meet the Best Academics’
In April 2024, HSE School of International Regional Studies of the Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs organised a round table ‘Russia and the Most Influential Countries of the Global South: Comparing Approaches to the New International Political and Economic-Financial Order’. Seyedmohammad Seyedi Asl, Research Fellow at the School of International Regional Studies, spoke to HSE News Service on his report ‘Global South, BRICS, and Iran's Foreign Policy’ presented at the round table, his research interests and impressions of working at HSE University, and living in Moscow.
Seyedmohammad Seyedi Asl completed his master's degree at Tehran University in Iran and his PhD at Ankara Gazi University in Turkey. Before coming to Russia, he had an opportunity to work as a researcher in Turkey and Iran.
Seyedmohammad Seyedi Asl
— You've moved to Moscow in 2023. What are your impressions of working and living here?
— When I was a doctoral student, I read some of the professors' articles and I knew that HSE University had a very good ranking both in Russia and the world. It was a new experience for me, because at HSE University I had an opportunity to meet the best academics such as Professor Olga Volosyuk and Professor Andrey Baklanov and see their views on world politics closely. I am very happy to be here and at this university.
— Could you tell us about your research work at HSE University? What are you focused on?
— I am a Research Fellow at the School of International Regional Studies and working on the Middle East in general. Especially after coming to this school, I focused more specifically on the New World Order and Middle Eastern countries. In addition to regional actors, I also research the Middle East policies of global actors, such as China and India.
— Tell us a few words about your report presented at the round table ‘Russia and the Most Influential Countries of the Global South: Comparing Approaches to the New International Political and Economic-Financial Order’.
— At this roundtable, I gave a presentation on the ‘Global South, BRICS, and Iran's Foreign Policy’.
The Global South, a group of developing countries, has gained geopolitical significance in recent years. Relations with Russia and China are strengthening as engagement with Europe and the US decreases. Middle powers like Brazil, Indonesia, and South Africa are seeking strategic autonomy and political power in the international system. Institutions like BRICS, G20, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization represent the return of the Global South. BRICS has become an important forum influencing trade, investment, and politics in emerging markets. Iran's foreign policy has shown an eastward approach by joining Shanghai and BRICS, which focuses on political and security issues. Membership in BRICS offers benefits in economy and politics, as well as opportunities for regional and international relations. The BRICS Bank, known as the New Development Bank, is a significant benefit for Iran, which is subject to Western sanctions. These conditions increase Iran's geopolitical weight in the region and the world.
The event participants also discussed the following topics:
- The Hybrid War as a New International Reality
- Sanctions and Counter-Sanctions in the World Mistrust
- How Are New Political Ideologies Evolving? Evidence from the World Majority
- Multilateral Cooperation and Its Digital Dimension: A Regional Perspective
— What are your professional plans?
— To continue my academic studies, gain new experiences and share them whenever I have the opportunity. Currently, I am based in Moscow, and for the future, I will explore the academic possibilities that lie ahead of me.
Since I work on the Middle East, I’ve also lived in this region and have academic experiences in Turkey and Iran. This has given me unique experience that I can offer, especially to students. I noticed that the students of this faculty are very curious about the Middle East region and many of them are learning Turkish and Persian, which creates an opportunity for me to share my knowledge.
— What do you like doing in your free time?
— I like reading, especially books in other languages, and watching movies. I also enjoy sports and sometimes I do fitness. Unfortunately, I have not had the chance to see other Russian cities yet. However, I am eager to visit Saint Petersburg in the future. I do not know Russian, but I plan to start learning it soon.
See also:
‘It Is Hard to Imagine High-Level Interpretation Being Entrusted to a Machine’
In 2024, Russia chairs BRICS, an international organisation comprising nine countries. Throughout the year, dozens of forums, working group meetings, and BRICS sessions took place across various Russian cities. As an interpreter, Ksenia Prosyukova, Associate Professor at the HSE School of Foreign Languages and Candidate of Science (PhD) in Pedagogy, participated in several BRICS events. In an interview, she discussed the personal responsibility of working at high-level events, the challenges and prospects of her profession, and how HSE University trains in-demand translators.
BRICS Representatives Discuss the Development of Statistics in Member Countries
The significance of statistics in today’s digital age has reached a new level. Many decisions at government and business levels are based on data analysis. However, there is a mixed perception of official statistics, which negatively affects trust in public policies. The heads of BRICS statistical agencies discussed this issue and ways to address it at a forum in Kazan, where a representative from HSE University also participated in the event.
The Path to Multipolarity Runs Through Siberia
HSE University held the VI International Conference, ‘The World Majority towards a New International Order.’ Scholars discussed the development of a multipolar world, the role of the Global South in this emerging order, Russia's collaboration with countries of the world majority, the new role of Siberia in Russia's turn to the East, and closer expert cooperation to enrich the intellectual foundation of new principles in international order.
‘Geographical Distance No Longer a Problem’: ISSEK Fosters Cooperation with Think Tanks in BRICS Countries
In September, the HSE Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge hosted an international working meeting with representatives from Brazilian, Egyptian, and Indian think tanks. The participants discussed opportunities for cooperation, including joint surveys, comparative studies, databases, and publications on foresight, technology, and innovation. It was also decided to draft a multilateral agreement to establish the BRICS Foresight Association.
HSE Experts Take Part in the First International Workshop on Technological Sustainability of BRICS
On September 19–20, Skoltech hosted the First International Workshop on Technological Sustainability of BRICS: University-Industry Partnerships, organised jointly with HSE University Human Capital Multidisciplinary Research Center. The meeting was held as part of the BRICS working group on technology foresight and science and technology studies.
HSE Researchers to Develop BRICS Exchange System Together with Chinese Experts
HSE University International BRICS Competition Law and Policy Centre and the Competition Policy and Assessment Centre founded by the State Administration for Market Regulation of China signed a cooperation agreement. The parties agreed to come up with proposals for the development of exchange trade in goods and raw materials between Russia, China, and the BRICS countries.
‘What Makes BRICS Effective Is Its Diversity’: HSE University Representatives Begin Work at EEF
HSE University Vice Rector Victoria Panova spoke at the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF 2024) that began in Vladivostok. The topic of her speech was the expansion of BRICS.
'Staying Open to New Challenges and Opportunities Is Crucial'
The Tenth BRICS Youth Summit was held in Ulyanovsk from July 22 to 26. The event was attended by more than 200 early-career professionals from Brazil, India, China, Egypt, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, South Africa, and Russian regions. Participants gathered to discuss current global issues and explore opportunities for youth collaboration. Students of HSE University who attended the Youth Summit shared their impressions with HSE University Life.
HSE University Launches Consortium of BRICS Law Schools
The HSE Faculty of Law hosted an online meeting with law schools and expert centres from BRICS countries. The purpose of the event was to join efforts to advance legal science and practice for the benefit of the organization. To this end, at the initiative of the Dean of the Faculty of Law Vadim Vinogradov, a Consortium of BRICS Law Schools was established, comprising representatives of leading higher education institutions from a number of countries.
HSE University and University of Tehran Sign Cooperation Agreement
In early July 2024, the HSE University delegation led by Rector Nikita Anisimov visited Iran to participate in ceremonies celebrating the 90th anniversary of the University of Tehran and the 1757th anniversary of higher education in Iran. During the visit, HSE representatives signed a cooperation agreement with the University of Tehran, and discussions were held with other organisations in the Islamic Republic.