National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE University)

Mission Statement

The Higher School of Economics (HSE), Moscow, Russia, was established in 1992 on the initiative of renowned Russian economists (Evgeny Yasin, Yaroslav Kuzminov) and leading reformists from the Russian Government (Yegor Gaidar, Alexander Shokhin, and others) with the purpose to promote economic and social reforms in Russia through education of a new generation of researchers and practitioners, production and dissemination of modern economic knowledge among Russian business and government, as well as giving rise to new ideas for economic and social reforms and formation of new corporate strategies. The HSE is a new-type university project, conceived by professional community with support of the Russian state and business. In 1995 the HSE was awarded university status. In cooperation with leading European universities, such as Erasmus University Rotterdam, the University Paris I Pantheon-Sorbonne, and the London School of Economics and Political Science, it established itself as a leading university in Russia in the field of economics, social and political sciences. The HSE is ranked among the top-three most popular and prestigious universities in Russia. In 2003 the HSE became a member of the European University Association (EUA) and joined the Institutional Management in Higher Education (IMHE) programme of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The Higher School of Economics is a research university that carries out its mission through research, instruction, design, expert analysis, as well as social and cultural activities based on international academic and organizational standards. We see ourselves as part of the global academic community and believe that international partnerships and interaction among global universities are key elements of our advancement. As a Russian university, we work for the benefit of Russia and its citizens. The basis of our activity lies in theoretical and empirical research and the spread of knowledge. Without compromising the quality of research or limiting the teaching of basic scientific knowledge, we strive to make a practical contribution in building a new Russia. Our university is a team of researchers, staff members and students. We have an internal commitment to maintaining high academic standards in our activities, and we strive to provide the most favourable conditions for each of our team members to develop. Although we hold different positions on both past and contemporary problems, we are united by the following values: -Pursuit of truth; -Cooperation and interest in one another; -Honesty and openness; -Academic freedom and political neutrality; -Professionalism, self-discipline and responsibility; -Active public position. The Higher School of Economics has over 130 partnerships (http://www.hse.ru/en/info/interpartners/) with international universities and research organizations, and is participating in several international comparative studies. The HSE is moving to developing strategic partnerships with the goal to have strategic university alliances in each region across the globe. HSE faculties and academic groups engage foreign partners to enhance the teaching, learning outcomes, and research profiles of the partners involved. The HSE supports student and academic mobility, internships, joint research, international conferences, seminars, and summer schools. An international advisory committee was created to attract faculty, staff, and experts from the global labour market; promote the University’s achievements in the global community; and develop cooperation with the world’s leading educational and research centres. By attracting genuine talent, irrespective of the country of origin, we ensure the quality of our teaching and research. Every year, an increasing number of international students come to the HSE from more than 50 countries. English-taught degree programmes are an integral part of the HSE's high-quality curriculum. Since 1997, the Higher School of Economics and the London School of Economics and Political Science (a division of the University of London) have been carrying out a project unique to Russian education. Instruction at the International College of Economics and Finance (ICEF), entirely in English, is offered in programmes selected by the HSE’s U.K. partners. Graduates of the ICEF’s Bachelor’s programme receive two degrees – from the HSE and the University of London. Graduates from the ICEF Master’s programme receive a degree from the HSE and an official certificate from the London School of Economics and Political Science. Instruction at the ICEF is tuition-based. The Higher School of Economics was the first state university in Russia to recruit specialists on the international academic labour market. HSE’s Centre for Advanced Studies (CAS) regulates all the main hiring procedures for international recruitment and coordinates the activities of internal and external experts under search and selection committees in each discipline. The HSE regularly hosts academic discussions in which international experts take part. The most notable event is the annual April International Academic Conference on Economic and Social Development. Researchers from Russia and abroad attend alongside heads of the Russian government, Russian Presidential Administration, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, as well as the major Russian and foreign companies. Since October 2012 HSE participates in the implementation of the EUNEG TEMPUS Joint Project 'European Neighbourhood Policy Law and Good Governance (EUNEG)'. The project supports the development of higher education reform in partner countries (Russia, Ukraine and Moldova), through cooperation with EU and in convergence with Bologna process and with EU developments deriving from the Strategic Framework for European Cooperation in education and training (ET 2020) and Strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth (Europe 2020).

International Role

HSE rated as one of the leading youngest universities worldwide (QS 50 Under 50), the best Russian university in the field of Art&Design (QS-2021), the best design school of 2021 according to World Brand Design Society (WBDS). HSE Art and Design School plays a vital role in building up international relations with partners from Art and Design sphere. The School cooperates with foreign partners such as museums, galleries, funds, schools and universities in order to raise the awareness among public of the value of design. To deliver our ideas, together with various institutions , we promote cultural events, joint students projects, exhibitions, public lectures. Our professors take part in different international events devoted to art and design, for example Venice Biennale, Ars Electronica, Typo talks, Dutch Design Week and others. Moreover, they give public talks in foreign institutions and companies and manage their personal exhibitions and contests.Two years in a row together with Ars Electronica International Festival, HSE Art nad Design School organize 'HSE Garden Pavilion', a platform that represents young Russian artists worldwide. Within the UK-Russia Year of Music 2020 and Germany-Russia Year of Culture 2021 HSE Art and Design School managed various educational programs and events. We believe that cross-cultural exchanges are crucial in education and help students and teachers to transform art and the world around them, change their way of thinking, bring new ideas to life and make it better.

National Role

HSE Art and Design School plays a key role in the development of education in the sphere of Art and Design in Russia, It delivers research and policy programmes advising the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation on the role of design for innovation. Within this tasks it organizes and takes part in industry-wide policy conferences and summits. In collaboration with other institutions and organizations HSE Art and Design School promotes strategies, which help to build up fruitful cooperation between the government, industry, education and design society. Due to the status 'National Research University', HSE Art and Design School has an opportunity to develop its own educational standards, which after implementation are adopted on the national level. Moreover, HSE Art and Design School, together with business and government representatives, works on new professional standards. HSE Art and Design School is an active participant of such regional comissions as: The Interdepartamental Working Group on regional branding and urban development of Main Department for Architecture and Urban Development, the Moscow region; Expert Council for Education in Art and Design, Moscow Culture Department. The School together with Design Laboratory work on different projects for Ministry of Economic Development. For example, we developed a two-year development program for Satka, it is a monotown, which is far from regional centres. The program included the urban and environmental development, educational and cultural part (public lectures, work-shops, exhibitions), project on the reconstruction of some cultural sights (libraries, monuments, local museum and cultural centre), We also try to participate in social projects and help different institutions. For example, last year, we made a design-concept for N.N. Blokhin Russian Cancer Research Center | UICC and coloring books for children. Our team created a corporate identity for and design of the events devoted to 20th Anniversary of The First Moscow Hospice. Our students participated in the contest of social posters, which was organized by the Northen Administartive District of Moscow and won the first prize.

Main Focus

In less than a decade, our school has become the youngest, fastest-growing design school in Russia. We are proud to be a subdivision of the Higher School of Economics, which is rated as one of the leading youngest universities worldwide (QS 50 Under 50) and the best russian university in the field of Art&Design (QS-2021). Our goal is to use a practice-oriented approach to art education, as a result of which to produce professionals in the most relevant spheres of modern design, art and fashion.