HSE MIEM and Nanjing University Discuss Joint Projects in Engineering Sciences
Developing cooperation in engineering sciences was the key topic during the latest visit of a delegation from Nanjing University to HSE University. This time, the guests were hosted by the HSE Tikhonov Moscow Institute of Electronics and Mathematics (MIEM).
The meeting at MIEM was held in a discussion club format. The parties exchanged ideas regarding the implementation of joint research projects, educational programmes, and double-degree programmes. After their initial meeting in October 2023, a cooperation and exchange agreement was signed by February 2024. By September, three students from Nanjing University had travelled to HSE under an exchange programme, while two Russian students are currently studying in China.
Sofia Sadykova
In her welcoming speech, Sofia Sadykova, Deputy Head of the HSE International Partnerships Office, emphasised the importance of strengthening ties with Nanjing University. She noted that developing relationships with leading Chinese universities opens up new opportunities for creating joint educational and scientific initiatives, allowing students and teachers from both institutions to expand their knowledge in cutting-edge fields of science and technology. Furthermore, she officially announced the Tikhonov Moscow Institute of Electronics and Mathematics as the flagship engineering school for all five HSE campuses.
Our guests showed great interest as Sergey Aksenov, Deputy Director for Research at MIEM, spoke about the institute’s current activities. ‘Today, MIEM is not just an educational division of HSE University but a modern centre for engineering research and technology. We have more than 3,000 students enrolled in six undergraduate programmes, eight master’s programmes, and five doctoral programmes. Research schools are actively developing in areas such as cybersecurity, wireless and optical communication systems, quantum systems, nanoelectronics, digital twins, machine vision, and computer modelling. These areas host world-class research, and the cybersecurity programmes are considered some of the strongest in Russia,’ Aksenov said. He added that educational programmes at the institute follow a project-oriented approach, creating unique opportunities to train highly qualified specialists through a new model of student interaction with external companies and research groups.
Nataliya Pugach
Leading Research Fellow and Professor at the School of Electronic Engineering, Nataliya Pugach, suggested exploring the possibility of creating a joint educational programme in quantum technologies: ‘This could be a double-degree program or a gradual increase in interaction—for instance, joint workshops or student exchange programmes. We are ready to offer courses in English, both online and offline, and to include foundational courses such as mathematics, general, and theoretical physics. Our teachers have international experience—many have lectured at leading universities in Europe, the US, and Latin America.’ She highlighted that MIEM is prepared to elevate its academic programmes in the field of modern materials physics to an international level and involve leading Russian experts in joint courses: ‘MIEM has extensive experience in attracting top Russian specialists from leading academic institutions such as the Lebedev Physical Institute, the RAS Kapitza Institute for Physical Problems, and the RAS Joint Institute for High Temperatures.’
Cao Yi, Deputy Director of the International Cooperation Office at Nanjing University, expressed a desire to strengthen cooperation with Russian educational and research centres and spoke in detail about Nanjing University: ‘Founded in 1902, Nanjing University is part of the C9 League—an alliance of nine elite Chinese universities, ranked 73rd globally and 6th in the Nature Index. We have about 33,000 students, 1,500 of whom are international. The university’s key areas of study include physics, chemistry, computer science, and artificial intelligence.’ He also noted that the university already runs several joint programmes with foreign universities and is eager to expand. ‘A partnership with HSE University enables us to develop joint research projects in advanced fields such as physics, chemistry, artificial intelligence, and quantum technologies,’ he emphasised.
At the end of the meeting, the parties agreed to continue communication and discussion regarding the necessary steps for creating joint laboratories, organising scientific seminars and conferences, and implementing double-degree programmes.
Both delegations noted that this was not their first meeting and that their relationship had quickly progressed from agreements to concrete initiatives and projects, demonstrating a mutual interest in building partnerships across multiple areas.
See also:
‘Here at ICEF, I Study and Communicate with Intelligent People’
Yan Minghao, from China, is in his second year of master’s study at ICEF HSE and has a passion for mathematics and Russian culture. In this interview, he shares the experience of being an ICEF student, contributing to international research venues, and travelling around Russia.
HSE ICEF and China’s SWUFE RIEM Launch Double Master’s Degree
In January 2025, HSE University entered into a cooperation agreement with the Southwestern University of Finance and Economics (SWUFE) to implement a double master’s that joins ICEF’s Financial Economics programme with SWUFE’s Master's in Finance. Combining the best of China and Russia’s academic frameworks, this new degree offers a unique study-abroad experience. In this collaboration, HSE ICEF is partnering with the Research Institute of Economics and Management (RIEM), which was established at SWUFE in 2006 to facilitate top-level, international research and training in economics and finance.
‘My PhD Journey Was Made Possible by My Studies at HSE’
Tianxiong Yu, 25, completed his Master’s in Economics and Economic Policy at HSE University in Moscow. He spent the second year of the programme at the University of Luxembourg and has since enrolled there on a doctoral programme. While it is no longer a joint programme, HSE graduates continue to successfully pursue PhDs at international universities. Tianxiong spoke to the HSE News Service about his memories of his master’s course and how his time at HSE paved the way for his doctoral research.
HSE Strengthens International Ties: Meetings with University Delegations from China and Kyrgyzstan
On January 24, 2025, at the HSE University campus on Pokrovka, Rector Nikita Anisimov and representatives from key departments and internationalisation subdivisions met with delegations from South China Normal University and Kyrgyz National University named after Jusup Balasagyn. The discussions focused on opportunities for expanding cooperation in various fields.
‘Education and International Work Experience Are Key Factors for Innovation in Developing Economies’
On December 20, the Faculty of Economic Sciences hosted the Third Sino-Russian Workshop on Innovations and Innovativeness, organised in collaboration with the School of Economics at Shanghai University. Three representatives from each institution, including staff and PhD students, presented at the seminar. The participants discussed factors influencing company innovativeness, the role of leaders in R&D investments, and the impact of digital transformation.
A Dance Studio as a ‘Power Place’ for an International Student in Moscow
Liu Minglin, 22, from China, chose to study at ICEF in Moscow for two reasons: his Russian friends’ recommendations and the contents of the programme curriculum on the website. Now in his final year of the International Bachelor’s Programme in Economics and Finance at ICEF, Liu Minglin shares his impressions of living in Russia and studying at HSE University.
‘My Thesis Defence Was a Lively Discussion’
Han Zhang, from China, has worked at the International Laboratory for Evaluation of Practices and Innovations in Education at HSE University-Moscow since 2023. In October 2024, she successfully defended her PhD thesis on the relationship between collaborative peer editing and the quality of academic writing in a second language. She spoke with the HSE News Service about why she chose to join HSE University and how her research can be used to improve student writing performance.
Russia and China: A New Cooperation Trajectory Developed at HSE University
A unique approach to measuring human well-being has been developed at HSE University, opening up new opportunities for international collaboration. Russia and China, both of which have significantly reduced poverty in recent years, demonstrate a unique potential for joint efforts in this area. At an international forum in Kazan titled ‘SPROUTS: Russia and China–Mutually Beneficial Cooperation,’ HSE University representatives, including Vice Rector and initiator of the Human Capital Multidisciplinary Research Centre Lilia Ovcharova, and Deputy Vice Rector Maria Nagernyak, emphasised the importance of integrating the efforts of the two countries.
Mathematicians from Russia and China Meet at HSE University
From November 5 to 9, 2024, HSE University, in collaboration with the Beijing Institute of Mathematical Sciences and Applications, is hosting a joint conference on algebraic geometry and mathematical physics. Over 30 mathematicians from leading universities in Russia and China are presenting on recent advancements in geometry and mathematical physics. The conference is held in a hybrid format.
‘Communication with Native Speakers Allowed Me to Look at the Language from a Different Perspective’
Students from HSE University–Perm completed language courses in Tianjin, China. The programme included not only classes with native speakers, but also cultural events, accommodation in a dormitory at Tianjin University, and trips to local attractions.