‘A Program in Business and International Relations is Now Available in Russia’

A new master’s programme in International Business has been launched at the HSE Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs. Irina Kratko, Head of the programme, told us about it.

— How essential is this master program? Which Russian and foreign universities already have similar programs?

— To begin with, this program is the first of its kind in Russia. Right now, it has no match in any other Russian university. The program's uniqueness lies in the synergy of business and international relations. In this program students develop a set of skills in international economics, international management and international politics that is necessary for working in international organizations and doing business globally.

The timeliness of the program is dictated by the necessity to train a new generation of leaders for Russian and foreign private and state companies that have either already gained strong positions in the international market, are breaking new ground in this direction or are planning to expand globally. They need professionals with global thinking, who are well-oriented with the aspects of business and international politics. Such specialists must have a universal set of skills, enabling them to handle the details and nuances of both the intra-corporate and inter-corporate environment; they have to understand how the company operates and what type of political, economic and cultural environment the company operates in. The phenomenon of international business can be fully understood only using an interdisciplinary approach; therefore the managerial skills should be supplemented by training in the areas of international economy, international law and international relations.

Many foreign universities successfully implement similar masters’ programs, and the leader in developing the master program in international business is our partner, the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, USA.

— What are the special features of this master program?

— Current world practice distinguishes between two types of master programs in international business and two varieties of master degrees accordingly. The first type is an MBA with specialization or concentration in international business, or, alternatively an IMBA (International MBA). This program focuses on both traditional managerial disciplines and their equivalents in a global context. Usually such programs are built around a specific functional management area and stress its global features.

The second type of international business master degree program is the MIB (Master of International Business). MIB programs combine serious training in basic business disciplines with an in-depth and diversified knowledge of the global business environment. These interdisciplinary programs focus on the interaction and confluence of the political, economic and cultural aspects of international business. From day one students are submerged in studying those disciplines directly related to international business. Furthermore, such programs require foreign language proficiency, and a period of study abroad at the partner university or an international internship.

The MIB model represents a conceptual base for the ‘International Business’ master’s program at HSE. This model meets the demands of the modern economy and fully satisfies the mission, vision and priorities of the School of World Economy and International Affairs at HSE.

The program is also very flexible and allows students to choose the study track of their personal interest, for example international marketing or international finance, along with a specific country or region that they would like to specialize in.

— Who will the graduates of this program be?

— The program is targeted at those interested in an international career and who see themselves as a future executive or manager of an international department of a private or state-owned company, its foreign affiliate, branch and representative office, as well as an expert, consultant, analyst or research specialist in the area of international business.

— What is the role of the partner university in this program? Will this be a double degree program?

— The Fletcher School is the world’s oldest, most prestigious and leading school of international affairs and international business. This is an elite private institution for graduate studies that values its reputation and takes pride in its prominent graduates. In its popularity and status the Fletcher School can be compared to Harvard; in addition, the two schools have a solid long-term partnership based not only on geographic proximity, but also on their similar values and ideologies. It has become common that many professors teach at both Fletcher and Harvard, and the students crossregister freely for classes at both universities.

At the end of last year the National Research University ‘Higher School of Economics’ and the Fletcher School signed a Cooperation Agreement, meaning that the Fletcher School would participate in the development and implementation of the ‘International Business’ master program at HSE. I should point out that this is the first agreement with a Russian partner university that the Fletcher School has signed.

Our schools have a lot in common. Another fact that favors the development of partner relations between the Fletcher School and the School of World Economy and International Affairs is that their Deans, Stephen W. Bosworth and Sergei A. Karaganov respectively, have been working together for many years for the Trilateral Commission – an international organization consisting of members from America, Europe and Asia.

While developing our program we have followed the example of the unique Fletcher MIB model, its academic concept, curriculum and its original teaching methods. However, despite absorbing the partner university's best long-standing practices, the program is not an exact copy of the Fletcher program, and has its own special features and innovations.

Some courses will be taught by the Fletcher School professors or jointly with leading professors from the HSE. The program also includes student exchange, which will allow HSE graduate students to attend classes at Fletcher for one semester, and international internships during the summer.

Students will have a chance to study at the Fletcher School and receive a certificate or to take courses taught by Fletcher professors at HSE – these are the unique opportunities offered by this master program. In the near future we are also considering developing a joint program or a double degree program with our partner university, but we need to keep in mind that a full-fledged double degree program is only feasible if the study conditions in the partner universities are compatible, including tuition fees. When it comes to the level of teaching and the quality of educational programs we are almost on the same level as Fletcher, but the prices for tuition are very different. One academic year at Fletcher costs 45,000 dollars and it is very difficult to be accepted onto the program, as the yearly enrollment for the MIB program is limited to a group of 30 students, and the applicants face very competitive admission requirements. All these factors have to be accounted for when discussing the possibility of creating a joint program and a double degree program with the Fletcher School. But this issue is on the agenda.   

— Which HSE departments, schools and partners will assist in realizing the program?

— The program is an interdepartmental and intercollegiate product. Since it represents the transfer of the MIB model to HSE grounds, we do not select disciplines so they fit the experience and qualifications of the faculty, but rather invite instructors, regardless of their principal place of work, who are famous within the academic world for their studies in a certain field, to teach the required program courses. We engage the best resources of the HSE, other Russian universities and the Fletcher School, as well as accredited field practitioners.

— The program is interdisciplinary, but how does it fit into the ‘Management’ degree?

— It would be great to have a master degree program in “Business”, but it does not exist in Russia. Out of the few master degree programs in “Economics and Management” offered by the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation the most appropriate for our program is “Management”. While working in the United States I asked myself many times about the differences between “executive capacity” and “managerial capacity” in an international company. The business program should cover both of these areas, and not simply stick to the latter.

The ‘International Business’ master program does not entirely fit into the framework of any existing master degree program in Russia. If it were purely a management program, it would lose its uniqueness and distinctiveness and would not live up to its purpose and goals. But it would not have been given a green light, had it not satisfied the standard HSE requirements for management.

— Who do you see as your students? How would you describe the audience for this program?

— We invite motivated Russian and foreign students with any bachelor degree. For students whose undergraduate degree is not related to economics and management and who do not have a substantial background in the global economy, international affairs or finance and management the program offers adaptational courses.

When selecting candidates we want to make the groups as diverse as possible. The opportunity to study in an international group of students and to communicate with people from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds is in itself an additional and undeniable benefit of the program. An ideal candidate for us is someone who has already had some experience working for an international company or in a foreign culture and could share this experience with other students. However I should emphasize that professional work experience is not required for admission. From the very beginning of the study process students are assisted by the Career Development Center and become familiar with how international companies – our business partners - operate.

— The ‘International Business’ program obviously implies studying a different country and culture. How will this be reflected in the study process?

— The program will in many ways reinforce and support study abroad, primarily at the partner university, and international internships. Students will have the opportunity to participate in a short-term (one module) or a long-term (two modules) exchange program at the Fletcher School and other foreign universities, having all the credits transferred and receiving  recognised certificates. The Fletcher students will be able to do the same. International internships are also an essential part of the program. Here we certainly have a mutual interest with Fletcher. We are talking about sending our students to work for international companies, operating in the USA, so that they could intern under the direct guidance of the American supervisors and gain both the necessary experience and cultural background. And the American students are also very interested in doing internships in Russia at different international companies, their affiliates and representative offices. They are looking forward to our help, support and guidance in finding and securing internships. I have already received several resumes from international students looking for an internship in Russia.

— The master program in international business is practice-oriented. How is it reflected in the program?

— The practical orientation of the ‘International Business’ program is reflected in several ways. We will invite executives and top-managers from the largest international companies to teach certain courses and masterclasses, so they can share their experience with the students first-hand.

In addition to this, one of the highlights of the program is the international business consulting project. This is a team project where students work, under their instructor's supervision, on real problems, provided by participating international companies. This is not only an ideal opportunity for students to participate in a real-life project in the role of practicing business consultants and to carry out tasks assigned by real clients, but also a good chance to be acknowledged by potential employers and find a future place of work. Students will get to meet with company representatives, have interviews with them, receive real practical knowledge from them and learn to analyze it, discuss any related questions and present the results. This kind of course has been running at the Fletcher School for several years now, and is one of the most popular courses with the students. We will work with the HSE students together with the Fletcher School professor, author of and irreplaceable instructor for this course.

And finally, there is practical training or an internship at an international company in Russia or abroad, as I have already mentioned before, which will take place after the first academic year.

— All courses in this program will be taught in English. Could the fact that some of the professors are Russian specialists whose native language is Russian possibly have a negative effect on the quality of education?

— I will point out that not only will lectures and discussions be in English, but also homework assignments, scientific and research projects, the consulting project and so on – everything will be in English. As to the fact that English is not native to Russian professors, here is what I think. When a person works in an international company, he or she is surrounded by people from many different countries who speak English at different levels and with different accents. But all those people are united by the fact that their professional language is English and that they all use similar terminology and common vocabulary that everyone in this area is used to. This is why there is absolutely no reason for us to worry about having Russian professors teaching courses in English. I believe this is actually an advantage, because it creates a cross-cultural environment. We really hope to see students from many different countries in our program, for whom English will be the unifying language and who will accept all instructors – be they Russian, French or American.

— What are the criteria for selecting candidates? What are the program admission requirements?

— The admission requirements include a general portfolio of documents: resumes, reference letters, and any other supporting documentation. We suggest that candidates obtain reference letters from their previous instructors, advisors or employers who can evaluate the personal characteristics and professional skills of the candidate. We will certainly give special attention to completed projects, publications, and conference, seminar and panel discussion speeches… In other words, any piece of information that could tell us anything about the candidate will be a plus; it will only work to the candidate’s advantage.

Aside from the portfolio there is also an English proficiency evaluation test. The candidate may submit an English Language Proficiency Certificate (TOEFL or its European equivalent). If the candidate has no such certificate they will have to take an English proficiency evaluation test when enrolling at the HSE.

Andrey Scherbakov, HSE News Service