Vladislav V. Mischenko: Moscow holds an over 50% share of national education export.
— What is the share of Moscow in the Russian education export market?
Unfortunately, we are missing official data on education export volumes of Moscow. However, considering the enormous number of Moscow-based universities and the EdTech companies, we can confidently assume that Moscow is the key education export region.
According to some expert estimates, Moscow holds an over 50% share of national education export. Moscow is the center of Russian education, being a home for over 200 universities where one in six student studies.
A high potential also defines the modern education technologies market as corporate entities can become targets for cross-border investments. This market's very high growth rates are stipulated by the development of e-learning technologies and educational process administration systems. New educational platforms and technology companies emerge as they facilitate access to knowledge and skills development independently from geographical borders. According to RBC, 30 out of 35 leading Ed-Tech companies are based in Moscow.
— What are the proofs that Moscow is an attractive study destination?
As per students, Moscow is among the Top-50 attractive study destinations for international students. There are 9 Moscow-based universities in the world university ranking, including the Lomonosov Moscow State University ranked #74 of the world university ranking.
— Is it correct that education export is a new development sector for MEC?
We worked with educational institutions before, but in 2020 we have extended a pool of export subsidies recipients. Service providers, including the education sector, have become eligible for subsidies since spring.
Moscow-based companies are eligible for remuneration of their expenses on obtaining certificates, licenses, documents translation, marketing costs, and content adaptation. The latest is the most interesting for educational online-platforms expanding to new geographical destinations abroad.
Moreover, companies can apply for subsidies on an export contract that has been withdrawn from currency records. The subsidy is 10% of the contract sum and can amount to 10 million rubles serving as a cashback-kind program for active exporters. It is worth mentioning that the biggest part of applications are coming to this type of subsidy as it allows to get remuneration on the overall income amount rather than any specific type of expenses.
— How does MEC build relations with education exporters?
Moscow Export Center is reported to the Moscow Department of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Development. MEC is interested in setting up a comprehensive and actual vision of the education export sector. Apart from creating awareness on MEC support measures among Moscow educational institutions and companies, we actively collect Moscow entrepreneurs and educational institutions' feedback.
We are always happy to find out to what extent it has been useful for taking part in our business mission or getting a premium account. Our managers and specialists are always in touch with MEC customers and provide quick response and assistance if required.
We always ask for companies' feedback on current limitations and issues they face in their routine operations to take them into account when developing new initiatives and providing more targeted assistance. We collect the feedback during regular communications with our customers as well as dedicated events.
For example, last year, we organized a business breakfast with organizations involved in education export and drew a list of actual measures of support. Also, we are developing our instruments according to specific inquiries of Moscow organizations and within a framework of MEC.
— What specific measures of support will MEC provide to educational institutions?
MEC invites Moscow-based educational institutions and companies to use a wide range of support measures related to expanding to international markets.
MEC provides complete coverage of costs related to participation in international business missions and leading congress and exhibition events in the educational sector. This instrument gives a unique opportunity for the attraction of international customers and partners.
Annually we organize an open poll on leading international sectoral events where Moscow companies will be presented. This year we offered the largest events in China and India. We are also ready to provide companies with personalized analytical reports and lists of potential international partners on their markets of interest.
— Do you provide any support to education exporters in terms of digital promotion?
MEC pays significant attention to e-commerce development. Service providers can get premium accounts on Europages and complete remuneration of fees from MEC. Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation has already made use of this opportunity.
This can also be an actual opportunity for companies in the online education and EdTech sectors. Europages is a digital platform that helps to find potential customers worldwide with a certain prevalence of European countries within just a few clicks.
— Is there an opportunity to establish a dedicated digital export directory on the MEC platform for educational institutions?
There is a digital export catalog already available on our website in 8 languages: Russian, English, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, and Arabic. And you can also find educational institutions in this directory.
Potential international customers can find out more details about our customers' products and services using this catalog, which is demonstrated at all international events where MEC takes part. If a company wants to become a part of the directory, then it just has to get in touch with MEC specialists.
— What alternatives to business missions can you envisage while the borders are closed? Do you have a pool of reliable online platforms for the presentation of services abroad?
Considering the current situation, we have decided to organize a business mission in an online format, and we have had universities among participants. For example, HSE has taken part in the business mission with partners from China and Korea.
We are also ready to take part in the leading educational congresses and exhibitions that are delivered online during the pandemic. We have already tried this format. Basically, it is about setting up a virtual expo area where one can start talks with participants online.
Also, we consider opportunities for extending the list of e-platforms to provide premium accounts free of charge to educational institutions to support their efforts on international promotion.
— How is it possible for an educational institution to get in touch with MEC to start cooperation? Есть Do you have any specific department or a responsible person for building on communications?
We invite you to approach our call center or to order a call-back service on the MEC website. You will be directed to a sectoral specialist who will guide you on all the questions that you might have.
— How could you describe the interaction between MEC and EEC on expert matters related to education export?
Our cooperation helps MEC to get a comprehensive expert view on different issues of education export. We very much appreciate opportunities to take part in EEC events that always have a tight agenda and interesting speakers. One can find out the facts on educational institutions and organizations from the education export point of view. We are keen to continue our cooperation with EEC.
Unfortunately, we are missing official data on education export volumes of Moscow. However, considering the enormous number of Moscow-based universities and the EdTech companies, we can confidently assume that Moscow is the key education export region.
According to some expert estimates, Moscow holds an over 50% share of national education export. Moscow is the center of Russian education, being a home for over 200 universities where one in six student studies.
A high potential also defines the modern education technologies market as corporate entities can become targets for cross-border investments. This market's very high growth rates are stipulated by the development of e-learning technologies and educational process administration systems. New educational platforms and technology companies emerge as they facilitate access to knowledge and skills development independently from geographical borders. According to RBC, 30 out of 35 leading Ed-Tech companies are based in Moscow.
— What are the proofs that Moscow is an attractive study destination?
As per students, Moscow is among the Top-50 attractive study destinations for international students. There are 9 Moscow-based universities in the world university ranking, including the Lomonosov Moscow State University ranked #74 of the world university ranking.
— Is it correct that education export is a new development sector for MEC?
We worked with educational institutions before, but in 2020 we have extended a pool of export subsidies recipients. Service providers, including the education sector, have become eligible for subsidies since spring.
Moscow-based companies are eligible for remuneration of their expenses on obtaining certificates, licenses, documents translation, marketing costs, and content adaptation. The latest is the most interesting for educational online-platforms expanding to new geographical destinations abroad.
Moreover, companies can apply for subsidies on an export contract that has been withdrawn from currency records. The subsidy is 10% of the contract sum and can amount to 10 million rubles serving as a cashback-kind program for active exporters. It is worth mentioning that the biggest part of applications are coming to this type of subsidy as it allows to get remuneration on the overall income amount rather than any specific type of expenses.
— How does MEC build relations with education exporters?
Moscow Export Center is reported to the Moscow Department of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Development. MEC is interested in setting up a comprehensive and actual vision of the education export sector. Apart from creating awareness on MEC support measures among Moscow educational institutions and companies, we actively collect Moscow entrepreneurs and educational institutions' feedback.
We are always happy to find out to what extent it has been useful for taking part in our business mission or getting a premium account. Our managers and specialists are always in touch with MEC customers and provide quick response and assistance if required.
We always ask for companies' feedback on current limitations and issues they face in their routine operations to take them into account when developing new initiatives and providing more targeted assistance. We collect the feedback during regular communications with our customers as well as dedicated events.
For example, last year, we organized a business breakfast with organizations involved in education export and drew a list of actual measures of support. Also, we are developing our instruments according to specific inquiries of Moscow organizations and within a framework of MEC.
— What specific measures of support will MEC provide to educational institutions?
MEC invites Moscow-based educational institutions and companies to use a wide range of support measures related to expanding to international markets.
MEC provides complete coverage of costs related to participation in international business missions and leading congress and exhibition events in the educational sector. This instrument gives a unique opportunity for the attraction of international customers and partners.
Annually we organize an open poll on leading international sectoral events where Moscow companies will be presented. This year we offered the largest events in China and India. We are also ready to provide companies with personalized analytical reports and lists of potential international partners on their markets of interest.
— Do you provide any support to education exporters in terms of digital promotion?
MEC pays significant attention to e-commerce development. Service providers can get premium accounts on Europages and complete remuneration of fees from MEC. Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation has already made use of this opportunity.
This can also be an actual opportunity for companies in the online education and EdTech sectors. Europages is a digital platform that helps to find potential customers worldwide with a certain prevalence of European countries within just a few clicks.
— Is there an opportunity to establish a dedicated digital export directory on the MEC platform for educational institutions?
There is a digital export catalog already available on our website in 8 languages: Russian, English, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, and Arabic. And you can also find educational institutions in this directory.
Potential international customers can find out more details about our customers' products and services using this catalog, which is demonstrated at all international events where MEC takes part. If a company wants to become a part of the directory, then it just has to get in touch with MEC specialists.
— What alternatives to business missions can you envisage while the borders are closed? Do you have a pool of reliable online platforms for the presentation of services abroad?
Considering the current situation, we have decided to organize a business mission in an online format, and we have had universities among participants. For example, HSE has taken part in the business mission with partners from China and Korea.
We are also ready to take part in the leading educational congresses and exhibitions that are delivered online during the pandemic. We have already tried this format. Basically, it is about setting up a virtual expo area where one can start talks with participants online.
Also, we consider opportunities for extending the list of e-platforms to provide premium accounts free of charge to educational institutions to support their efforts on international promotion.
— How is it possible for an educational institution to get in touch with MEC to start cooperation? Есть Do you have any specific department or a responsible person for building on communications?
We invite you to approach our call center or to order a call-back service on the MEC website. You will be directed to a sectoral specialist who will guide you on all the questions that you might have.
— How could you describe the interaction between MEC and EEC on expert matters related to education export?
Our cooperation helps MEC to get a comprehensive expert view on different issues of education export. We very much appreciate opportunities to take part in EEC events that always have a tight agenda and interesting speakers. One can find out the facts on educational institutions and organizations from the education export point of view. We are keen to continue our cooperation with EEC.
Vladislav V. Mischenko, Head of Goods and Services Export Development Department at Moscow Export Center (MEC). Vladislav manages the Goods and Services Export Development Department of the Moscow Export Center, which assists city companies to get government support with financial and non-financial measures in order to develop their businesses in foreign markets.