Interfax, HSE agree to partner in integrating digital solutions in educational process

Interfax Group and the National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE) have signed an agreement on partnering in integration of modern digital solutions into educational and scientific processes.

According to the document, the parties, in particular, plan to create joint training courses at a number of Higher School of Economics departments in order to develop the competencies of students, graduate students and educators in solving business process automation tasks with the help of Interfax tools.

The agreement was signed as part of the XXII April International Academic Conference on Economic and Social Development. HSE Rector Yaroslav Kuzminov and Interfax Chairman and CEO Mikhail Komissar signed the document.

"The creation of a joint laboratory with Interfax will be an important component in our cooperation and will help develop our organizations. We have many opportunities to work together. Interfax, given its deep penetration into the Russian regions, has a real opportunity to become a unique educational discussion platform. Not only by presenting articles and reports and speaking from the position of a "guru," but also by organizing full-fledged discussion with the active use of regional experience and the experience of companies. We, as a university, will be able to bring both our thoughts and our educational experience to this work," Kuzminov said.

"Now we expect not only to develop the scientific and applied vector, but also arrive at the creation of joint educational programs that meet the needs of Russian business. We plan to train specialists who are able to automate the processes of making business decisions, vetting counterparties, analyzing creditworthiness, and solving other complex problems with the help of Interfax information and analytical systems," Komissar said.

"The Higher School of Economics is a strategically important partner of the Interfax University Program. I am sure that our joint work will contribute to the development of digitalization of education and science in our country," the Interfax CEO said.

In addition to creating joint training courses, Interfax and the Higher School of Economics plan to consider the possibility of creating a project laboratory and implementation of applied research projects involving Russian and foreign scientists. Interfax intends to work in these areas with the Higher School of Business, as well as other HSE departments.

The National Research University Higher School of Economics is one of the largest higher education institutions in Russia, the CIS and Eastern Europe, a leading center of education, teaching and research. It consists of four campuses in Moscow, Saint-Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod and Perm. The student body numbers more than 47,000 students and postgraduates. More than 7,000 educators and researchers work within the HSE, including more than 200 foreign professors from 25 countries.

The HSE actively cooperates with leading universities in North America, Europe and Asia and implements dual degree programs. The Higher School of Economics consistently ranks high in the Times Higher Education (THE) and QS subject rankings, and is the only Russian university in the top 50 rankings of young universities by both agencies.

The "Digital Technologies for Education and Science" university program has been implemented by Interfax Group since the beginning of 2020. Its tasks include integrating unique databases and modern IT solutions into the educational process and scientific activities, improving the qualifications of teachers and researchers, and teaching students practical skills in information monitoring and analysis, risk assessment methods, and decision-making skills.

As part of the program, Interfax, together with its partners, developing its own educational programs, courses and manuals on a wide range of topics: analysis of companies' economic activity, risk assessment, implementation of compliance procedures, ensuring transparency of government procurement, market analysis of government procurement and competition, taxation, financial and credit risks, RegTech, digital solutions in law, media analysis, news journalism.