HSE University and the Beijing Institute of Mathematical Sciences and Applications Sign Cooperation Agreement
HSE University, together with its Chinese partners, will be implementing the scientific project ‘Geometry and Physics,’ which won the ‘Academic Cooperation’ competition at HSE. The International Laboratory for Mirror Symmetry and Automorphic Forms acts on behalf of HSE University. The Beijing Institute of Mathematical Sciences and Applications (BIMSA), represented by a team of renowned mathematicians including Fields medallists, will also be involved in the project.
The agreement between HSE University and BIMSA was signed by HSE Vice Rector Victoria Panova and BIMSA President Shing-Tung Yau, a world-renowned mathematician and the winner of the Fields Medal, one of the most prestigious awards in mathematical sciences. Additionally, the project involves Caucher Birkar, a Cambridge professor and 2018 Fields medallist. The signed agreement covers joint scientific research, organisation of scientific events, publication of papers, development of strategies and policies for scientific collaboration, as well as other initiatives.
The Beijing Institute of Mathematical Sciences and Applications (BIMSA), founded and supported by Tsinghua University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, is the largest and youngest mathematical institute in China. BIMSA conducts advanced research in various areas of mathematics, theoretical physics, computer science, and related fields.
In December 2023, HSE University launched a competition for joint fundamental scientific projects called ‘Academic Cooperation’. The goal of the competition was to foster international scientific collaboration, expand the research agenda, and engage university students and graduates in fundamental scientific projects, thus creating an academic research culture.
The results of the competition were announced in April 2024. The selection committee opted for seven research projects, including the ‘Geometry and Physics’ project by the HSE International Laboratory for Mirror Symmetry and Automorphic Forms and the Beijing Institute of Mathematical Sciences and Applications. The main focus of the project is to apply ideas of homological mirror symmetry to birational algebraic geometry. Mirror symmetry was discovered relatively recently, in the 1990s, by theoretical physicists as a physical duality between superconformal field theories. Since then, the mathematical theory of mirror symmetry has been actively developed in the 21st century.
The International Laboratory for Mirror Symmetry and Automorphic Forms is one of leading research centres for the study of this phenomenon. Over the past seven years, the laboratory has trained young and talented mathematicians who have obtained their PhDs in physical and mathematical sciences. In 2023, the first joint conference ‘Geometry and Physics’ was held in Moscow and featured 16 presentations, including two by Fields medallists.
‘One of the key methodological features of mirror symmetry research is that new ideas arising in theoretical physics are then developed in mathematics, while new mathematical results are interpreted in theoretical physics. Our goal is to construct and study new algebraic, birational, and categorical invariants of manifolds, based on the principles of mirror symmetry. Many of the approaches we use in our laboratory are revolutionary and groundbreaking,’ says Valery Gritsenko, Head of the HSE International Laboratory for Mirror Symmetry and Automorphic Forms.
Valery Gritsenko notes that the plans of the laboratory require global international collaboration, within which cutting-edge complex scientific research in fundamental mathematics and its applications is conducted.
‘Many members of the Chinese team are well-known to us. We have a solid scientific background, with several joint studies published in prestigious international journals. Collaboration with BIMSA, which has become a major hub for global mathematical activity, presents a unique opportunity for young Russian mathematicians, graduates, and students to fully engage in the global scientific process, and at one of its highest levels,’ concluded Valery Gritsenko.
See also:
FES Explores Collaboration Opportunities with Shanghai University
On June 27, 2025, the Faculty of Economic Sciences at HSE University hosted a delegation from the School of Economics at Shanghai University, a partner of the Faculty of Economic Sciences and the International College of Economics and Finance. The main goal of the meeting was to discuss the prospects for expanding cooperation between the partners, specifically the development of academic exchange and the organisation of joint events for students and faculty from both the School of Economics and the Faculty of Economic Sciences.
Building Bridges: Russian–Chinese Summer School on International Relations Opens
The XII Russian-Chinese Summer School on International Relations has opened at HSE University. This year’s theme is ‘Facets of the World Majority: Practice and Narratives.’ The school has brought together 27 master's and doctoral students as well as early-career researchers from leading universities in China and Russia.
Roundtable on Russia–China Cooperation in Antimonopoly Policy Held at HSE University
HSE University hosted a roundtable titled ‘New Challenges for Antitrust Regulation: The Chinese Perspective.’ The event was organised by the International BRICS Competition Law and Policy Centre (BRICS Centre). Special guests included Chinese colleagues from the Competition Policy and Assessment Centre (CPAC) of the State Administration for Market Regulation of the People’s Republic of China (SAMR). Last year, the BRICS Centre and CPAC SAMR signed an agreement on strategic cooperation.
HSE and Sichuan University Sign Cooperation Agreement
On May 20, 2025, HSE University hosted an official delegation from Sichuan University headed by President Wang Jinsong. During the meeting, the universities signed a cooperation agreement.
HSE GSB MBA in Shanghai: Chinese Experience for Russian Executives
The HSE Graduate School of Business has held an international module of its MBA programme in Shanghai. The module gathered 94 participants—top managers of major Russian companies, entrepreneurs, and executives from state-owned enterprises.
HSE and Tsinghua University Strengthen Russia–China Partnership as part of Cross Year of Education
On May 10, a delegation from Tsinghua University—one of China’s leading higher education institutions—paid an official visit to HSE University. The delegation was led by Qiu Yong, Secretary of the CPC Tsinghua University Committee, former President and Chair of the University Council, and member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
HSE University Signs Cooperation Agreements with Leading Chinese Universities
On May 8, 2025, in Moscow, in the presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, strategic agreements were signed between the HSE University and two of China's top institutions, Peking University and Tsinghua University. The event was attended by Nikita Anisimov, Rector of HSE University, Qiu Yong, Secretary of the CPC Tsinghua University Committee, and Gong Qihuang, President of Peking University. The signing unfolded during the official visit of the Chinese delegation to Russia, coinciding with the commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of Victory Day.
‘The Most Important Lesson I've Learned at HSE Is the Power of Collaboration’
Jingtao Xu (called Andy in English) earned a Bachelor’s degree in Data Science and Business Analytics at HSE University–Moscow and is now studying on the Master’s in Math of Machine Learning. In this interview with the HSE News Service, Andy talks about his plans to develop his robotics research into a commercial product, how online shopping in Moscow has improved since he first arrived, and why now is a good time to capitalise on Russian–Chinese cooperation.
Russian and Chinese Scholars Share Experience of Transformation of Doctoral Education
The Russian and Chinese postgraduate education systems originally borrowed their institutional frameworks from the Soviet Union. However, in the 21st century, they have evolved along different paths. While key performance indicators for postgraduate programmes in Russia are declining, China is seeing a rapid increase in the number of postgraduate students. These contrasting trajectories and the reforms undertaken in each country in recent decades were the focus of a roundtable discussion held as part of the 25th Yasin (April) International Academic Conference.
‘HSE Offers a Wealth of Opportunities, but It’s up to You to Take Advantage of Them’
Zhou Jinyu is a third-year student of the Bachelor’s programme ‘Data Science and Business Analytics’ at the Faculty of Computer Science at HSE University. She talked to the HSE News Service about studying on the double-degree programme, her career prospects, her attitude to artificial intelligence, and why it’s important to step out of your comfort zone.