HSE Holds Exams, Quizzes, and Selection Rounds for School Students in Tashkent and Bishkek
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More than 3,000 international school students took part in the INTO HSE International Olympiad, whose award ceremonies were held in Tashkent and Bishkek in March 2026. The university’s outreach events also included final examinations, presentations of academic programmes, and on-site selection tests for prospective applicants. In Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, nearly 200 participants received diplomas as winners and prize-winners. The best of them will be eligible to apply for state-funded places at HSE.
The International Student Recruitment and Admissions Centre of the HSE Department of Internationalisation organised a series of outreach events in Tashkent and Bishkek. These included award ceremonies for the winners and prize-winners of the INTO HSE International Olympiad 2026, as well as on-site selection tests for applicants applying under the quota of the Russian Government.
The INTO HSE International Olympiad is an academic competition for international school students, held annually in Russian. Participation is free of charge. Depending on their results and chosen field of study, winners and prize-winners may enrol in HSE undergraduate programmes funded by the state. In 2026, the competition was held in a hybrid format—both online and on-site—in Russia, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan.
Amid global competition for talent, systematic engagement with neighbouring countries has become a top priority for the university, said Kirill Kisel, HSE Director for Internationalisation. ‘It is essential for us to maintain and expand our presence in this region by offering talented applicants long-term educational pathways—from preparation in partner schools to a successful career start after graduation. The growing interest in the university from applicants in the CIS, Asia, and Africa confirms its position as a research centre that offers competencies relevant beyond national education systems,’ he explained.
Kirill Kisel
He noted that the visits to Tashkent and Bishkek are a clear example of building systematic cooperation through education, in line with the broader policy of the Russian Federation aimed at attracting international students. HSE works with international applicants at every stage, from introducing the university to them and preparation in partner schools to enrolment. This helps to build trust and ensures a continuous school-to-university pathway.
According to Kirill Kisel, more than 7,500 applications from international candidates have been submitted in the current admissions cycle for undergraduate and master’s programmes. CIS countries traditionally rank among the leaders, indicating strong demand for high-quality education in Russian.
‘The INTO HSE International Olympiad—a flagship project of HSE University—has also seen an increase in the number of participants this year. Presenting diplomas to winners and prize-winners at venues in Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan demonstrates our openness: we value talented young people regardless of geography and share the joy of their success with their families and teachers,’ he emphasised. ‘An approach based on respect, accessibility, and high-quality education enables us to support informed choices by applicants, contribute to the implementation of the national strategy for education export, and create a foundation for long-term educational and academic ties between our countries.’
In March 2026, an HSE team visited six leading schools in Bishkek, where they delivered presentations on academic programmes, held selection tests, and organised intellectual quizzes.
Participants included both state and private educational institutions, among them the Gazprom Kyrgyzstan School, Epsilon School, Lomonosov School, Gymnasium School No. 33, Lyceum No. 61, and Gymnasium School No. 24 named after Aaly Tokombaev.
In Tashkent, final examinations for students of the specialised lyceum classes at International House Tashkent—run with the support of HSE University—took place in early March. The lyceum classes offer training in five fields: economics, information technology, design, psychology, and international relations. In 2025, eight classes were formed, with a total of more than 130 students.
The project has been running since 2022 and is implemented by the Academic Lyceum International House Tashkent at TIIAME National Research University and the non-state educational institution International House Lyceum. The educational process is delivered by HSE lecturers. Teaching is conducted online, complemented by on-site intensive sessions and study visits to Russia.
Top graduates, based on their ranking results, will be eligible to apply for state-funded places at HSE through the competition for international applicants.
Ekaterina Ismagilova
‘The lyceum class programme is not just an educational project,’ said Ekaterina Ismagilova, a teacher at International House Tashkent and curator of creative projects. ‘It is a space of opportunity where school students have a chance to change the trajectory of their lives even before entering university.’
‘The stories of our students are the best proof of this. For example, one student joined the programme with an interest in economics but without a clear understanding of how to turn this interest into a real profession. Over two years, he not only deepened his knowledge in specialised subjects but also learned to think more broadly: to analyse, argue, see connections, and make decisions. Participation in the INTO HSE International Olympiad was both a real challenge and a turning point for growth. Preparation required discipline, perseverance, and self-belief. There were doubts, fatigue, and difficult topics. But there was always support from teachers and an environment that values the desire to develop. The result was a victory in the competition and the opportunity to continue studies at HSE on a scholarship basis,’ she explained.
‘There are dozens of such stories,’ Ekaterina Ismagilova emphasised. In 2025, more than 50 students from International House Tashkent became winners and prize-winners of the olympiad. Behind each of these figures lies a personal journey, effort, and significant inner growth. The programme not only provides a strong academic foundation but also builds self-confidence. Over two years, students undergo advanced training in their chosen subjects, but most importantly, they learn to understand themselves and think about their future. This approach allows them to plan their admissions strategy in advance and make informed choices about their development.
‘We highly value the partnership we have built and continue to expand educational opportunities for school students in Uzbekistan. Our goal is not only to prepare them for university admission but also to give each student a solid foundation from which a path to major achievements can begin,’ she noted.
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