Zaruhi Hakobyan Shortlisted for HSE Alumni Awards
Zaruhi Hakobyan, master’s graduate of the HSE University Faculty of Economic Sciences and research scientist at the University of Luxembourg, is involved not only in research but also in organising academic events for young scientists and students. As a foreign graduate of HSE University, Zaruhi was nominated for the HSE Alumni Awards ‘for her tireless enthusiasm in popularising economic science, teaching, and research at the international level’ and made the shortlist.
Zaruhi Hakobyan completed her bachelor’s programme at the Armenian State University of Economics (ASUE, now a partner of HSE University’s Faculty of Economic Sciences) in Yerevan with a degree in Business Organisation. For her master’s degree, Zaruhi chose the programme ‘Economics: Research Programme’ (now: the Research track of the master’s programme ‘Economics and Economic Policy’) at HSE University.
Zaruhi admits that she has always loved learning, and became interested in science during her undergraduate studies. At HSE University, her passion for science only grew, and her successful admission and postgraduate studies gave her the understanding that ‘science is the creation of something new that can explain current events and improve the world around us.’
At HSE University, Zaruhi always responded to invitations to events and internships. For example, she took part in the Postgraduate Symposium on Theoretical Economics in Jerusalem, then went to the Oxford University Summer School on Economic Networks. Later, Zaruhi applied and was selected for an internship at the University of Luxembourg. Having successfully completed the internship, Zaruhi was able to take part in a cotutelle–a double postgraduate course operated simultaneously at HSE University and the University of Luxembourg.
Active participation in international summer schools inspired Zaruhi to take the initiative and conduct Challenges for Emerging Economy Summer Schools—on-site economics classes in Armenia. As a result, two summer schools were successfully held in Yerevan in 2018 and 2019. Zaruhi also persuaded other graduate students to teach economics to Armenian students. The school was held at the Yerevan branch of the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics in the first year and at the Armenian State University of Economics in the second. The latter is now a partner of HSE University’s Faculty of Economic Sciences.
The success of the summer schools was so great that the second school was attended by students not only from Armenia, but also those from other countries and HSE University students who specifically went to Yerevan to listen to interesting lectures and have a good time in Armenia.
‘Zaruhi Hakobyan has always stood out among our graduate students with her sunny mood, friendliness, irresistible smile, and amazing drive. She is a warm person; she always took part in graduate seminars with great interest and excitement, asked interesting questions and gave useful comments to other participants, organised summer schools, and was always ready to help. Zaruhi grew very quickly academically during her years of graduate studies,’ recalls Professor Olga Demidova.
‘Zaruhi has an amazing talent for attracting active, creative people who want to selflessly share their knowledge with young researchers, students, and applicants. Having simultaneously received a doctorate at HSE University and the University of Luxembourg, Zaruhi gathered Armenian researchers (graduates of prestigious universities) and created the Armenian Independent University with the goal of helping students from Armenia expand their knowledge in economics, data science, and computer science. The university has become a platform for the exchange of experience, summer schools, academic cooperation, and the popularisation of economic science in Armenia,’ says Oxana Budjko, Head of the International Office at the Faculty of Economic Sciences.
Other FES graduates were also shortlisted for the award:
Maria Semenova, Acting Director of the Centre for Institutional Studies (CInSt), senior researcher, associate professor; HSE University Faculty of Economic Sciences, Moscow, 2010—for an outstanding scientific career at HSE University and strengthening HSE University’s international academic reputation as a leading research centre in the field of finance.
Yuriy Goldberg, Co-owner and CEO of Rerooms; graduate of the Faculty of Economic Sciences, 2004—for the development of the interior design and real estate market in Russia.
Elizaveta Romanova-Kushnir, Senior Data Analyst, OKKAM Communication Group (ex-Dentsu); Faculty of Economic Sciences, 2019— for active work and dedication in the professional implementation of mentees.
Adel Sharafutdinov, General Director of the Grast Group; Faculty of Economic Sciences, 2012— for effective assistance and active participation in the professional self-realisation of mentees.