AI and Chinese Culture Day: HSE University Welcomes Students and Postgraduates from Tsinghua University
In July 2025, HSE University hosted a group of young scholars from Tsinghua University. During their visit, they attended a lecture on the latest developments in artificial intelligence at the Faculty of Computer Science and held workshops for HSE students as part of Chinese Culture Day.
The young researchers from Tsinghua’s Department of Automation, led by Associate Professor Shang Chao of the same department, are currently travelling the world as part of the Mobius project, visiting universities, research institutions, and corporations. This summer, their itinerary included Moscow and St Petersburg, where they visited HSE University, Bauman Moscow State Technical University, ITMO University, Sber, Kaspersky Lab, and the Russian branch of Huawei.
Their visit to HSE was organised by the Centre for International Student Mobility and Educational Projects, part of the University’s Department of Internationalisation. Fourteen students representing the Department of Automation, the Academy of Arts and Design, and the School of Economics and Management at Tsinghua University attended a lecture delivered by Daria Kasyanenko, Senior Lecturer at the Big Data and Information Retrieval School and Academic Supervisor of the Data Engineering programme. They learned about the application of AI tools in teaching at the Faculty of Computer Science and within the HSE AI Research Centre.
Tsinghua students also hosted a Chinese Culture Day at HSE, featuring workshops, a traditional tea ceremony, and various refreshments. HSE students attended the event and had the opportunity to try their hand at fan painting, making aromatic sachets, sugar painting, and practising their Mandarin language skills.
Peng Ziyi, team lead, student at the Department of Automation, Tsinghua University
— The presentation on the Faculty of Computer Science and the lecture on the application of AI in education were truly insightful. They gave our team a deeper understanding of how technology is shaping the future of education. The campus tour that followed was another highlight, offering us a glimpse into the dynamic academic environment of HSE. Our team was particularly impressed by the innovative approaches and dedication of both the teachers and students.
On Chinese Culture Day, July 24th, it was a pleasure to see HSE students so enthusiastic and engaged with Chinese culture. We were especially pleased to meet students with a genuine interest, making the event even more meaningful. We are grateful to the Centre for International Student Mobility and Educational Projects for organising the visit and inviting the students. We were inspired by the vibrant academic atmosphere, the warm hospitality, and the keen interest in Chinese culture shown by HSE students. We would love to continue our studies here in the future.
Liu Shuran, postgraduate student at Tsinghua University
— We saw many impressive sights in Moscow and St Petersburg, but the most valuable aspect of our trip was undoubtedly the information we gained from first-hand sources while visiting universities and companies. We attended presentations on the practical applications of AI in various sectors and participated in discussions with experts. Each of us took away something useful for our own research projects.
I would particularly like to highlight the lecture by Daria Kasyanenko from HSE University. I was amazed to learn how significant a role digital literacy plays in the educational process at HSE. Students from all disciplines learn how to effectively use AI, code, and analyse data. I believe this is something Chinese universities should take note of.
Tela Meng, student at the Department of Automation, Tsinghua University
— Moscow offers a fascinating mix of history and modernity, and the metro is like an art museum!
I am glad that during our trip we had the opportunity to introduce local people to Chinese culture. In addition to the Chinese Culture Day at HSE, we also organised an outdoor event on Arbat Street. To our surprise, passers-by showed great interest—everyone wanted to make their own fan or aromatic sachet.
At HSE University, I really enjoyed the international atmosphere, and I was pleasantly surprised by how confidently and correctly the students spoke Chinese. Well done!
Jing Haoda, student at the Department of Automation, Tsinghua University
— I studied Russian for one semester in China, and this trip gave me a chance to test my knowledge in real life, helping my classmates deal with everyday matters in Russia as best I could. While my Russian is still not very strong, this trip has motivated me to continue learning. I also translated signs and labels into Russian for our cultural event. When I return to Russia, and I hope to do so more than once, I want to be able to communicate freely with everyone here.
Of all the organisations we visited, I would especially like to mention Kaspersky Lab. In large Chinese tech companies, it is common to follow the 996 schedule—9 am to 9 pm, six days a week. It was interesting to learn that Kaspersky Lab’s corporate culture allows employees to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Sofia Tarasova, third-year student on the double degree programme between HSE University and Kyung Hee University ‘Economics and Politics in Asia’
— I attended the Chinese Culture Day event organised by the students from Tsinghua. They were so friendly and cheerful that time seemed to fly by. It was great to practise my Chinese with native speakers in such a natural, relaxed setting, and perhaps even become friends. I really hope there will be more events like this at HSE in the future.
My favourite part was making a fan. I had always wanted one since childhood, but have never had a chance to try. Now I will keep it at home as a memento of the day.
Weidali Senotrusov, Head of the HSE Chinese Club
— We were delighted to welcome the students and postgraduates from Tsinghua University to HSE. It was wonderful to see students come together under one roof—those who had achieved top marks in their Gaokao or Unified State Exam to enter their respective universities—sharing their experiences and exchanging impressions. The Tsinghua students were especially enthusiastic about their visit to VDNH and, in particular, the Museum of Cosmonautics. They really enjoyed Moscow and some even began to seriously consider coming to HSE as academic exchange students.
Moreover, the Tsinghua students unanimously praised the very high level of Chinese among HSE’s Asian Studies students—a clear sign of their strong linguistic training. This is a very good indicator showing the high quality of Chinese language education at HSE.
See also:
Ringing in the New Term
On September 1, campuses across Russia ring in the new academic year with the traditional ‘first bell’—flowers for teachers and welcomes for first‑years—while international students at HSE University share how studies begin in their home countries, from Ghana’s Akwaba week to China’s student club fair, the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s blue-and-white uniforms, and India’s Teachers’ Day.
Updated Facts and Figures and Dashboards Now Available on HSE Website
The HSE Office of Analytics and Data Management, together with the Visual Communications Unit, has developed a new Facts and Figures about HSE University page on the HSE website. In addition, all university staff now have access to a dashboard with the updated indicators of the Priority 2030 programme.
HSE to Entrust Routine CPD Programme Development to AI
HSE University, together with the EdTech company CDO Global, is launching AI-based constructors to streamline the design of continuing professional development (CPD) courses. The new service will automate the preparation of teaching materials and assessment tools, significantly reducing the time and resources required of lecturers and instructional designers.
‘Territory of the Future. Moscow 2030’ Forum-Festival to Feature Innovative Projects from HSE Graduates
Until September 14, 2025, the Russian capital is hosting a large-scale forum-festival called ‘Territory of the Future: Moscow 2030’ —a space for technology, science, and innovation. This event showcases cutting-edge developments in medicine, astronautics, and the digital economy. HSE Art and Design School is participating in the festival with two graduate projects in Product and Industrial Design.
‘The Goal of Modern Geography Is To Digitise Expert Knowledge and Integrate It with Big Data’
The importance of geographical science is increasing, as is the demand for education in this field. Since 2020, application numbers for Bachelor’s programmes at HSE University’s Faculty of Geography and Geoinformation Technology have climbed by 30%, while interest in Master’s programmes has also expanded, with applications up 10–15%. Nikolay Kurichev, Dean of the Faculty, spoke about this at a press conference hosted by MIA Rossiya Segodnya.
HSE Shares Its Experience of Urban Strategies at International Summer School in China
In the context of intensifying global geopolitical and technological competition, leading Chinese educational institutions—Zhejiang International Studies University and Peking University—organised an International Summer School. Their joint programme focused on studying global, regional, and urban development strategies. The HSE Faculty of Urban and Regional Development took part in this event.
Scientists Develop Effective Microlasers as Small as a Speck of Dust
Researchers at HSE University–St Petersburg have discovered a way to create effective microlasers with diameters as small as 5 to 8 micrometres. They operate at room temperature, require no cooling, and can be integrated into microchips. The scientists relied on the whispering gallery effect to trap light and used buffer layers to reduce energy leakage and stress. This approach holds promise for integrating lasers into microchips, sensors, and quantum technologies. The study has been published in Technical Physics Letters.
‘Our Result Was Recognised Not Only Within the Project Defence but Also on International Scale’
This year, the European AI Conference (ECAI 2025) accepted an article titled ‘Multi-Agent Path Finding for Large Agents is Intractable’ by Artem Agafonov, a second-year student of the Applied Mathematics and Information Science Bachelor’s programme at HSE University’s Faculty of Computer Science. The work was co-authored by Konstantin Yakovlev, Head of the Joint Department with Intelligent Technologies of System Analysis and Management at the Federal Research Centre ‘Informatics and Management’ of the RAS and Associate Professor at the Faculty of Applied Sciences. In the interview, Artem Agafonov explained how he came up with the idea for the article and how he was able to present it at an A-level conference.
HSE Scientists Test New Method to Investigate Mechanisms of New Word Acquisition
Researchers at the HSE Centre for Language and Brain were among the first to use transcranial alternating current stimulation to investigate whether it can influence the acquisition of new words. Although the authors of the experiment have not yet found a link between brain stimulation and word acquisition, they believe that adjusting the stimulation parameters may yield different results in the future. The study has been published in Language, Cognition and Neuroscience.
Twenty vs Ten: HSE Researcher Examines Origins of Numeral System in Lezgic Languages
It is commonly believed that the Lezgic languages spoken in Dagestan and Azerbaijan originally used a vigesimal numeral system, with the decimal system emerging later. However, a recent analysis of numerals in various dialects, conducted by linguist Maksim Melenchenko from HSE University, suggests that the opposite may be true: the decimal system was used originally, with the vigesimal system developing later. The study has been published in Folia Linguistica.