HSE Creative. International: Building International Careers Through Cross-Border Collaboration

On January 24, 2025, the Institute for Creative Industries Development at HSE University held the first seminar in its new HSE Creative. International series, focused on the role of educational institutions in shaping international careers within the creative industries. This inaugural event brought together academic leaders, artists, and policymakers from Russia and China for a rich dialogue on cross-cultural collaboration, new educational models, and the integration of technology in creative practice.

The seminar served as a platform for mapping future cooperation between HSE University and a range of leading Chinese institutions, including the Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA), Xi’an University of Technology, Nanjing University of the Arts, Dalian Medical University, Xi’an Academy of Fine Arts, the Communication University of China (CUC), the Communication University of Zhejiang, and representatives of the Pingyao International Photography festival. Discussions centered on how universities can support students in building internationally mobile careers in fields such as photography, visual communication, animation, media arts, and interdisciplinary design.

Tatiana Rivchun, Deputy Dean of the HSE Faculty of Creative Industries and Director of the Institute for Creative Industries Development, opened the event by emphasizing the importance of international exchange in light of growing demand for flexible, practice-oriented, and technology-enhanced programs. She highlighted dual-degree models as a promising pathway for fostering global competencies and professional networks.

Mitya Kharshak, Head of the St. Petersburg’s campus of the HSE Art and Design School, presented ongoing projects with partner universities in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America, emphasizing the use of digital infrastructure—such as the DAFES platform—to support portfolio development, online exhibitions, and international contests.

One of the most anticipated proposals was a new joint educational initiative titled Photography as a Creative Industry: Career for Export. This hybrid, English-language program consists of four thematic modules that combine creative and business training, culminating in real-world projects such as exhibitions or digital publications. Students from participating universities in Russia and China will have the opportunity to collaborate across borders, receive feedback from faculty and professionals in both countries, and adapt their portfolios for international markets.

The seminar also featured case studies on innovative pedagogical approaches. Professor Zhao Xin from Dalian Medical University presented her work on integrating art therapy into medical education, while Professor Jia Fan from Nanjing University of the Arts discussed the role of research-based learning in photography. Additional presentations explored how institutions are responding to the rise of artificial intelligence, the evolution of digital media, and the growing need for cross-disciplinary education in the creative fields. Professor Yao Lu from the Central Academy of Fine Arts addressed the challenges and opportunities AI poses for visual artists and educators, urging institutions to rethink their pedagogical models in light of rapidly changing creative tools. Dr. Xu Jinghan of the Communication University of China reflected on how technologies like digitization, video production, and now AI have continuously reshaped the photographer’s role, calling for stronger theoretical foundations and critical analysis in curricula to prepare students for these shifts. Professor Su Sheng of Xi’an Academy of Fine Arts presented on the integration of motion graphics, animation, and photography into a unified educational model supported by cloud platforms and national innovation hubs. Together, these contributions highlighted a shared conviction that creative education must now equip students not only with technical and artistic skills, but also with the flexibility to adapt across media, disciplines, and cultural contexts. This emphasis on real-world integration and career development was echoed by Liu Xiaoxia, Director of the International Program at the Pingyao Photography Festival, who underscored the value of professional platforms in bridging the gap between education and industry. She spoke about the festival’s two-decade history of supporting emerging artists through student exhibitions and international exchange, and extended an invitation to Russian students and educators to contribute to upcoming exhibitions held as part of the festival, positioning it as a launchpad for young creatives seeking global exposure.

The event concluded with remarks from Natalia Logutova, Deputy Director of the Institute, who outlined HSE’s commitment to creating internationally scalable educational models, expanding professional integration opportunities, and strengthening ties between cultural institutions and universities.
As the first of several planned sessions, HSE Creative. International marked a significant step toward building a new global educational framework—one that equips creative professionals with the tools, networks, and vision to thrive in an interconnected world. The next seminars will build upon these foundations, continuing to develop academic exchange, joint programming, and research-driven innovation.