HSE and Communication University of Zhejiang strengthen creative partnership

On July 7, 2025, a delegation from China visited HSE University. The meeting took place in the Blue Hall of the Durasov House. It brought together Wei Guotang, Chair of the University Council of the Communication University of Zhejiang, and his colleagues, along with HSE University Vice Rector Dmitry Zemtsov, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Creative Industries Tatiana Rivchun, and representatives from the HSE Institute for Creative Industries and the HSE ART AND DESIGN SCHOOL who initiated the partnership with colleagues from the Communication University of Zhejiang.

The main purpose of the visit was to discuss opportunities for expanding the partnership between the two universities, which have already collaborated through academic and practical seminars focused on building global careers in the creative industries, as well as expert participation in the organization and evaluation of the HSE Creative Open competitions.

The meeting was opened by HSE University Vice Rector Dmitry Zemtsov, who emphasized the importance of expanding international partnerships, noting that HSE is ranked among the world’s top 100 universities in multiple subject areas according to the QS World University Rankings.

Dmitry Zemtsov emphasized the importance of collaboration between universities in implementing programs to support young professionals, including international competitions. He stressed the value of the Communication University of Zhejiang’s participation in initiatives led by the HSE ART AND DESIGN SCHOOL and the HSE Institute for Creative Industries Development, noting the university’s extensive expertise in modern media, communications, and design.

“HSE University offers dual-degree programs at both the bachelor’s and master’s levels in partnership with world-class universities. We look forward to expanding our existing collaborations into new joint projects, competitions, as well as graduate and postgraduate educational programs,” said Vice Rector Dmitry Zemtsov.

Wei Guotang, Chair of the University Council of the Communication University of Zhejiang, emphasized in his response speech the importance of collaboration with HSE University and expressed enthusiasm for deepening the partnership between the two institutions. Founded in 1978, Communications University of Zhejiang operates two campuses in Hangzhou and Tongxiang and is the country's leading university in the field of media and communications. It was established jointly by the Zhejiang provincial government and the State Administration of Radio and Television. The university maintains partnerships with more than 150 institutions worldwide, with a significant number of its students continuing their education abroad.

“We are interested in academic exchanges involving both students and faculty, as well as in developing joint educational programs. We would be glad to welcome representatives from HSE University to our campus,” Mr. Wei said in his speech.

Tatiana Rivchun, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Creative Industries and Director of the Institute for Creative Industries Development at HSE University, confirmed the university’s readiness to collaborate across a wide range of creative industry fields represented at both the Communication University of Zhejiang and HSE. These include not only design and creative industries management, but also areas particularly relevant to the Chinese side, such as journalism, television and radio broadcasting, film, music, and others.

“Modern education in the creative industries is distinguished by its project-based approach. In our case, the implementation of such programs is supported by a digital platform that our Chinese colleagues have already become familiar with through their participation as jury members in the HSE Creative Open competitions. This platform — hse.space — hosts digital portfolios and related services that have expanded beyond the faculty, the university, and even our country,” emphasized Tatiana Rivchun.

She referred to the ‘Creative City’ platform as an example — a project that showcases initiatives tied to specific locations and helps the HSE Institute for Creative Industries Development, as well as the HSE ART AND DESIGN SCHOOL, build a collection of best practices aimed at urban development and the preservation of local heritage.

“We are pleased that it already features projects from a wide range of countries, and we hope to see more projects from China, including joint initiatives,” Tatiana Rivchun added.

In a gesture of mutual appreciation, the parties exchanged gifts. HSE University presented an original print from the HSE CITIES Collection — a series of illustrations by Alexandra Eremina, a student of the HSE ART AND DESIGN SCHOOL, depicting all the university’s campuses, with this particular piece featuring a stylized image of Moscow. In turn, Communication University of Zhejiang’s Chair Wei Guotang presented an original piece of traditional Chinese silk screen printing.

The visit began with a tour of the Durasov House, where the delegation from China became acquainted with its history, architectural, and cultural features as a heritage site. The guests then continued their exploration of HSE University’s educational environment at the building housing the HSE ART AND DESIGN SCHOOL and the HSE Institute for Creative Industries Development at 12 Malaya Pionerskaya Street. Representatives from the Communication University of Zhejiang toured classrooms, computer labs, workshops, the Design Laboratory, the campus shop, and the art gallery — spaces that reflect the characteristics of contemporary creative education by combining learning with commercial, professional, and artistic application. As the meeting concluded, the Chinese colleagues reaffirmed their commitment to ongoing cooperation through the digital portfolio platform, participation in inter-university competitions across various creative fields, as well as further discussions on joint educational programs and academic exchanges.