HSE University and China's Central University of Finance and Economics Sign Cooperation Agreement
On September 23, HSE University welcomed a delegation from the Central University of Finance and Economics (CUFE) based in Beijing. The two institutions signed a memorandum of understanding and a student exchange agreement, establishing a strong foundation for long-term academic cooperation.
The agreements provide for bilateral academic mobility, student and faculty participation in conferences and forums, the development of dual degree programmes, and the creation of joint research laboratories and projects in economics and finance.
HSE Vice Rector Victoria Panova welcomed the delegation, highlighting the importance of academic collaboration between Russia and China, particularly ahead of the Cross-Year of Education. She expressed hope for increasing Chinese student enrolment at HSE University through both short-term mobility and full-degree programmes.
CUFE President Prof. Ma Haitao thanked HSE University for the warm reception and presented the Central University of Finance and Economics as one of China's leading centres for economic education. Founded in 1949, CUFE comprises 24 schools with over 20,000 students and 1,800 faculty members. "We greatly value this opportunity to forge cooperation with HSE University, particularly in academic mobility and joint research. It is crucial for our students and young researchers to participate in international forums, and for our faculty to share expertise in emerging fields, including the ESG agenda," Prof. Ma Haitao noted.
The discussion also gathered representatives from the HSE Faculty of Economic Sciences and the HSE International College of Economics and Finance. Sergey Merzlyakov, First Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Economic Sciences, emphasised that the similarities that HSE University and CUFE share in research scope and number of finance programmes create a solid basis for collaborative projects. Promising areas identified included bilateral mobility, the Digital Professors programme, and joint conferences such as the Yasin International Academic Conference on Economic and Social Development and the ESG Conference hosted by the HSE Faculty of Economic Sciences.
Maxim Nikitin, Deputy Director of the International College of Economics and Finance, stressed the importance of launching dual degree programmes and expanding research cooperation, suggesting the possibility of holding large-scale joint events in the future.
Prof. Ma Haitao supported these proposals, expressing particular interest in developing research contacts, including among early-career researchers. He confirmed CUFE's readiness to actively participate in joint seminars and forums while exploring new collaborative formats.
The signing of the memorandum of understanding and student exchange agreement marks the beginning of substantive collaboration. First initiatives will be implemented in the near future, creating new opportunities for study, research, and international academic exchange for students and faculty at both institutions.
