On October 6, 2023, VNU University of Economics and Business welcomed a delegation from the Higher School of Economics (HSE) - Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation, to visit and implement activities leading to the signing of a cooperation agreement between the two institutions.

Following the exchanges reached during the visit in February 2023, the two sides agreed to sign a Letter of Intent, outlining specific contents and directions for future cooperation, setting the foundation for an official cooperation agreement. Attending the ceremony, from the University of Economics and Business - VNU (UEB), were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Truc Le - Party Secretary, Chairman of the University Council; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Anh Thu - Vice-Rector, and representatives from various departments and faculties. Representing the Higher School of Economics (HSE) - Saint Petersburg were Dr. Manoj Sharma - Vice President for International Cooperation; Ms. Kseniia Nicheuhina - Director of the International Education Center, and other team members. 

During the signing ceremony, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Truc Le expressed excitement about this foundation for future cooperative activities in academic and cultural exchanges, benefiting faculty, scientists, students, and research scholars of both institutions.

Dr. Manoj Sharma expressed confidence that this marks an important step in the cooperation between two leading institutions in economics and business from their respective countries. He also noted that many lecturers at VNU University of Economics and Business, who were former students and research scholars at HSE and in Russia, will serve as crucial links to promote department-level cooperation, ensuring quality education and research. 

Following discussions and consensus on the contents, the Letter of Intent was signed by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Truc Le - Party Secretary, Chairman of the University of Economics and Business, VNU, and Dr. Manoj Sharma - Vice President for International Cooperation, Higher School of Economics (HSE) - Saint Petersburg. The event was witnessed by representatives from both universities and UEB lecturers who are former students and research scholars from Russia.

The cooperation activities between the two universities will focus on: student and faculty exchanges; research collaboration; joint organization of forums, seminars, and courses in economics and business; implementation of combined study abroad programs with practical experiences for students of both universities to enhance cultural exchanges and specialized learning; scholarship programs for UEB students; and promoting a Vietnamese language business program for HSE students at VNU University of Economics and Business. The research and training cooperation will concentrate on areas such as Business and Economics in the Asia-Pacific region; Data Analysis in Business and Economics; Art and Cultural Management; Finance; Strategic Management of Supply Chains and Logistics; Public Policy; and Data Analysis in Politics and Sociology.

The Higher School of Economics (HSE) – Saint Petersburg is a renowned educational institution and a leading university in economics and social sciences in Eastern and Eastern Central Europe. Over more than two decades, HSE University has quickly become a research-intensive university, especially strong in international cooperation. Ranked in the top 100 universities worldwide in Politics and International Relations, Sociology, History, Economics, and Econometrics, since 2013, HSE University has been a member of the Russian Academic Excellence Project 5-100, a highly competitive government program aimed at increasing the international competitiveness of Russian universities. The university has four campuses across Russia from the capital Moscow, Perm, Nizhny Novgorod to Saint Petersburg.

Intensifying cooperation with HSE, one of Russia's leading economic, business education, and research institutions, is a strategic goal in the internationalization of education at VNU University of Economics and Business in 2023.

This partnership also opens new opportunities for UEB students, scholars, and scientists to engage in academic exchanges, research, and cultural interactions with their counterparts in Russia, as well as to explore the beautiful and welcoming country of Russia. 

Some images from the signing of the Letter of Intent: