HSE GSB and Alfa-Bank Host Summer School for Chinese Students
The international summer school Digital Product Management, a joint educational project by the HSE Graduate School of Business (HSE GSB) and Alfa-Bank, brought together over 30 students from leading Chinese universities.
Throughout the week, participants explored key trends in the digital economy, mastered product management and design thinking tools, and took part in the development of real-world service solutions. The academic track included lectures by professors from HSE GSB on the Russian economy, Russian-Chinese business relations, digital transformation, IT trends for 2025, specifics of digital product management, as well as workshops from Alfa-Bank experts—leaders in fintech and artificial intelligence.
The academic block was complemented by practical work. This part of the programme began with a two-day design sprint at Alfa-Bank’s research centre, where students worked on creating digital services for Chinese nationals in Russia. The teams conducted user interviews, went through the stages of ideation, prototyping, and testing. Afterwards, each team continued to develop their prototypes on the business school campus, creating financial justifications and considering other aspects of managing a digital product.
At the final stage, each team presented their project to an expert panel. All participants successfully completed the tasks and received certificates from HSE and Alfa-Bank for completing the programme.
‘The summer school has become not just an educational project but a space for co-creation and intercultural dialogue. We have seen Chinese students immerse themselves in the Russian business environment with great enthusiasm, quickly grasping new tools, and proposing unconventional solutions. This proves that global education has no boundaries,’ noted Ivan Prostakov, Deputy Director of the HSE Graduate School of Business.
‘The development of innovative technologies requires a constant exchange of ideas and experience between countries. We see great potential for cooperation between Russian and Chinese specialists in digital product development. The summer school participants showed a high level of preparation and the desire to implement cutting-edge technologies. I am confident that this project will lay the foundation for many successful initiatives across various areas of digitalization,’ emphasised Marat Ismagulov, Member of the Management Board and HR Director at Alfa-Bank.
The educational programme was enriched with a cultural component, during which students took a guided tour of Moscow, explored the capital’s architecture and metro, visited Red Square, the Izmailovo Kremlin, and other notable landmarks. Participants praised not only the academic depth of the programme but also the opportunity to experience modern Moscow as a vibrant international metropolis.
Chinese participants were unanimous in their positive feedback about the programme.
‘A number of IT fields are well developed in China, but the Russian market is very different from ours. At the beginning of the programme, I wanted to learn more about the Russian economy and consumer behaviour. What attracted me were the organisers who are one of the leading Russian business schools—HSE GSB—and one of the top fintech companies—Alfa-Bank. Thanks to this summer school, we gained valuable insights into the thought process of Russian entrepreneurs and how innovations are developed in Russia. The entire programme was exactly what I had hoped for,’ shared Zulei Mu, a student at Tongji University.
‘I already miss Moscow… I studied applied mathematics in Russia before returning to China, and now I’m pursuing a PhD in mathematics. When I heard about the summer school in Moscow, I immediately knew it was a unique chance to step outside of the academic sphere and into the real business world. It was an amazing opportunity to engage with a team from the largest private bank, as well as attend lectures from professors at a leading business school. We all received intensive training and valuable experience as we worked on our own digital product. It was my first deep dive into business practice and I was lucky enough to be part of a project that combined both academic and practical elements. And of course, I’ll never forget our excursions around Moscow—I felt like I had come back to my second home and now that the programme has ended, I already miss it,’ said Rui Tang from East China Normal University.
The international partnership of the HSE Graduate School of Business with top global universities and business schools continues to grow. The roadmap includes both short-term educational projects and long-term student exchanges throughout the academic year, as well as off-site modules for MBA students. For example, a recent off-site summer module for the MBA programme was held in Shanghai at Fudan University, one of Asia’s top business education centres.
The HSE GSB x Alfa-Bank Digital Product Management Summer School marks another step in strengthening educational ties between Russia and China. Organisers are confident that such joint initiatives not only foster knowledge and experience exchange, but also establish strong business and cultural connections that will continue to thrive in the future.
See also:
HSE in Minsk: Developing Cooperation with Belarus
On May 26–29, 2026, an HSE University team visited Minsk, the capital of Belarus. The purpose of the trip was to meet and hold talks with Belarusian universities and scientific organisations—HSE University's current and prospective partners.
HSE University at IRES 2026: Student Recruitment, Space Projects, and New Partnerships with India
The second Indo-Russian Education Summit (IRES 2026) took place in New Delhi on May 28–29. This year, the event brought together more than 70 leading Russian and Indian universities. Representatives from HSE University’s Moscow and St Petersburg campuses introduced prospective students to the university’s educational opportunities at the exhibition and shared their experience in developing Russian–Indian academic cooperation.
HSE and Sultan Qaboos University: Expanding Academic and Research Partnership
In May 2026, a delegation from Sultan Qaboos University (Oman) made an official visit to HSE University. The main purpose of the meeting was to discuss new forms of cooperation and partnership and to identify areas of mutual interest. Representatives of HSE’s Moscow, St Petersburg, and Nizhny Novgorod campuses spoke about their shared interest in expanding joint projects, primarily in the field of artificial intelligence—a strategic development priority for both universities.
HSE and Peking University Expand Cooperation in Civil Society Research
A seminar involving Russian and Chinese scholars on cooperation between the state and non-profit organisations was held in Beijing. Participants discussed the evolution of institutions, cooperation practices, and challenges facing the development of the non-profit sector, and also presented the results of their research. The meeting concluded with agreements to expand joint projects and academic exchanges.
HSE to Bring Together Experts from World’s Leading Universities in St Petersburg
From May 18 to 22, 2026, HSE University–St Petersburg will become a hub of global academic dialogue. International Partners’ Week will bring together more than 100 delegates from 47 universities across 20 countries.
HSE and Peking University Discuss Prospects for Expanding Cooperation
In Moscow, HSE University’s leadership met with a delegation from Peking University headed by its President, Gong Qihuang. During the meeting, the parties agreed to strengthen partnership between the two universities within the framework of the Cross Years of Russian–Chinese Cooperation in Education (2026–2027).
HSE and Nazarbayev University: Scientific and Educational Cooperation
In April 2026, HSE University welcomed an official delegation from Nazarbayev University. The visit primarily focused on establishing cooperation between the two universities, expanding partnership ties, and developing joint projects in support of strengthening bilateral relations between Russia and Kazakhstan.
‘Meet Professors, Gain Experience’: Uzbek Lyceum Students Undertake Placement at HSE
The fourth off-site school organised under the Lyceum Classes project has taken place with the support of HSE University and implemented by the HSE Department of Internationalisation. This year, 79 students from International House Tashkent and Interhouse Lyceum came to HSE. The programme includes an introduction to the university, the opportunity to attend classes, and tours around Moscow.
Mathematical Physics at HSE University Goes International
The HSE University International Laboratory for Mirror Symmetry and Automorphic Forms and the Beijing Institute of Mathematical Sciences and Applications (BIMSA) held a joint online conference on mathematical physics. The results of the laboratory research presented at the event will be published in leading academic journals.
Transport and Cities: HSE’s Faculty of Urban and Regional Development Co-Organises First International Transport and Logistics Forum
The HSE Faculty of Urban and Regional Development acted as a partner in organising the first International Transport and Logistics Forum, held in St Petersburg in early April and bringing together more than 6,000 participants from 82 countries. With the faculty’s support, a key session was held entitled ‘A Driverless Future: How Driverless Transport is Changing the Concept of Spatial Organisation from the City to the State’ and moderated by Russian Minister of Transport Andrei Nikitin.