ICEF Graduates Praised at HSE Cultural Center

© HSE

The class of 2022 is our extra special one. Faced with the difficulties of the pandemic, its members moved to the new campus in Pokrovka and completed their studies amid challenging geopolitical risks. Hosting this year's graduation ceremony was HSE itself, allowing the graduates to celebrate their achievements together with their families, whose support was justly praised by HSE Rector, Nikita Anisimov, as well as hear the words of praise from other members of HSE management team.

Opening the ceremony was Sergey Yakovlev, Director of ICEF. In his speech, Sergey  called this year’s graduation a special one, for it coincided with ICEF turning twenty-five. The director extended his gratitude to all those who supported the establishment of ICEF and assisted in its further development, especially noting the contribution from Yaroslav Kuzminov, Academic Supervisor at HSE University; Sergey Dubinin, former Chairman of the RF Central Bank; Alexander Shokhin, HSE President; as well as Richard Layard and Richard Jackman of the London School of Economics. Sergey Yakovlev further voiced the congratulatory message from Mary Stiasny, Pro-Vice Chancellor, International, Learning and Teaching, University of London.

Over the 25 years of its existence, ICEF has grown into a genuine academic institution with bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes in economics and finance that gain in popularity. ICEF currently has 2,600+ alumni who started careers in 40+ countries around the world.

The class of 2022 numbers 172 bachelor’s and 31 master’s degree graduates. Of them, 28 bachelor’s and 11 master’s graduates hold honours degrees.

As was mentioned by Sergey Yakovlev, ICEF graduates have traditionally been highly sought-after job candidates: about 80% of master’s and 40% of bachelor’s degree graduates have landed jobs and are about to start careers at some of the leading players in the industry – Yandex, Ozon, SBER, Bank of Russia, among others. About 60% of bachelor’s degree graduates are planning to continue their studies in postgraduate programmes at HSE, which is a popular domestic choice, or abroad at LBS, LSE, Erasmus University, Bocconi University, as well as University of Washington, Boston University, New York University, and France’s top ranked business schools. “This testifies to the fact that the skills and knowledge you have gained here are solid enough to give you a good start,” said Sergey Yakovlev.

“My dear graduates, congratulations on a job well done! This has been an unusual and disruptive year for you,” continued the director of ICEF. “The COVID pandemic and the geopolitical risks threw the final months of your college careers into chaos, but you completed your graduation against all the odds and you are now stronger. Turn obstacles to your advantage and move forward. Congratulations on your graduation and best wishes for your next adventure!"

Joining in the congratulations from the Director of ICEF was the Rector of HSE, Nikita Anisimov. In his speech, the Rector reminded of this year being the jubilee one also for HSE which has turned 30. “Thirty years may not be too long a time, but it was during these thirty years that we have matured. The past few years have been especially challenging for you and your university, and it’s how we withstood them together that matters,” said Nikita Anisimov. “What the future holds for all of us depends on what you hold for the future.” In addition to honouring the faculty staff, who have at all times stayed committed to knowledge sharing, the Rector expressed his sincere gratitude to parents. This graduation ceremony has been the first one attended by graduates’ families. “I know for sure that without your support we wouldn’t have the graduates we have – the best graduates,” stressed the Rector.

How ICEF Bachelor’s Degree Programme changed in 2022:

Earlier in March, the University of London announced its decision to suspend cooperation with all its authorized centers in Russia in the usual format.

The programme received a new name. Previously known as “HSE and University of London Double-Degree Programme in Economics”, it has been renamed “International Programme in Economics and Finance.

Second-, third- and fourth-year students will be able to continue their studies at the University of London, take the UoL exams and be awarded their diploma as individual learners.

First-year students will be able to enroll in the UoL in 2022 as individual learners, provided that they have fully completed the 1st-year courses of the ICEF curriculum;

Once the University of London establishes the possibility for its new enrollment (2022-2023) to continue as individual learners, students will be able to take the UoL exams without extra preparation and will be awarded, in addition to their HSE diploma, the diploma of the UoL.

ICEF has, from the very beginning of its existence, enjoyed great support from Mikhail Zadornov, President and Chairman of Otkritie Bank Board and member of HSE Supervisory Council. Expressing his heartfelt congratulations, Mikhail Zadornov noted that the class of 2022 has been through a lot of trials. “May these hardships be the last in your life. May you always dare to do great things. Keep developing those unique dreams and talents that make you who you are!” Mikhail Zadornov congratulated the class of 2022.

One more contributor to ICEF’s success who came to congratulate the class of 2022 was Vadim Radaev, First Vice Rector of HSE University.

“ICEF is twenty-five, and I must say it has for all these years set the bar high for itself,” stressed Vadim Radaev. “I have said it before and I will say again: ICEF’s programme is the best in HSE. Things are changing fast around us but I know you will able to face new challenges because your university has given you not only knowledge but also perseverance to succeed and tackle challenges and deadlines. You have worked through many to get to this day, and today will be only the first of many successful moments for you.”

The bachelor’s degree graduates received their diplomas from the hands of Alexander Shokhin, HSE President and the one who was negotiating the establishment of ICEF with partners at LSE. “Twenty-five years ago on a warm spring day in London, we convinced our colleagues that our project would turn out to be a success and we were not mistaken,” said Alexander Shokhin.

The award of HSE diplomas was followed by the award of the certificates of appreciation for the best master’s and bachelor’s theses that scored 10 points out of 10. Six graduates were praised for active contribution to the university life. Congratulating them were ICEF Programmes Academic Supervisors, Maxim Nikitin and Oleg Zamkov.

The event was celebrating also the achievements of ICEF’s most committed faculty members, based on student vote results. The first to be awarded his certificate of merit was Alexey Akhmetshin, who wins the majority of votes every year. Up on stage, Alexey was glad to be receiving the certificate from the hands of his classmate: he and Nikita Anisimov are graduates of the Moscow State University faculty of mechanics and mathematics. “A little test to make sure you know the terminology. May you always have a positive derivative and your limits infinite,” was Alexey Akhmetshin’s message to the graduates.

One more faculty member to enjoy the reputation as best teacher is Alla Fridman. This has been the eleventh time Alla has been ranked the best by student vote and accepted sincere congratulations from her students. “I am glad to see you all here. Although I know that some of you had to repeat my courses, I also know that they will be appreciated,” said Alla Fridman. In her speech, Alla thanked Professor Amos Witztum for inviting her to ICEF and Oleg Zamkov, her teacher at Moscow State University, for playing a role in her joining it. “These two people made ICEF bachelor’s programme what it is," said Alla. “Always act according to your conscience, guys. We taught you economics, true, but one of the most important messages we want you to take away from here is that conscience has no opportunity costs or, if it does, these costs are infinitely high.”

Certificates of merit went also to Daniil Yesaulov, Olesya Kondrakhina, and Yaroslav Lyulko.

Speaking on behalf of class of 2022 master’s degree graduates were Daria Yakovleva and Zhonibek Isomiddinov. Daria, who graduated with honours and whose thesis scored ten points out of ten, has successfully passed the HSE graduate school entrance tests and is awaiting enrollment, while Jonibek, who got accepted as an international student, currently serves as analyst at Gazprombank. In their parting speech, they thanked their teachers and their parents, the latter “having to fall asleep to the accompaniment of our talks in Zoom.” “Many of us have made a lot of good friends here – friends for life, friends who will be there to support. I hope that our paths cross again,” said Daria.

Jonibek’s words of gratitude were to the teachers and the office of student and academic services. He thanked the team for their intensive courses and overwhelming support: “I am grateful to HSE for the opportunity to study in an environment that is truly international and progressive. Our time here has been a life-changing experience for all of us. At first, studying seemed difficult, but it was thanks to their challenging nature that we managed to improve our abilities and learned to stay concentrated while performing complex tasks and to interact with people. I am sure that the skills and the competencies we gained here will be a great help in our careers and life.”

Speaking on behalf of bachelor’s degree graduates were Ekaterina Ivanushkina and Vladislav Kiryanov. Recipients of honours degrees, Ekaterina is to continue her studies in the University of Wisconsin-Madison PhD Programme in Finance and Economics and Vlad at HSE.

“Graduation is a big day for all of us. Little did we know four years ago when we were high school graduates about how our lives would change,” said Ekaterina. “For many of us this diploma will stay a symbol of hard work we had put in to reach this goal. It is a talisman to help us reach new heights,” continued Vlad.

The graduation ceremony concluded with a traditional photography session.

Daria Yakovleva, ICEF master’s degree graduate

The day was filled with pleasant, friendly atmosphere and good wishes coming our way. I really enjoyed talking to my classmates, professors and university management. For me ICEF is primarily a team of people – the people who have made it what it is today. They see their role as giving skills and knowledge, helping out, guiding students along their learning journey, providing friendly environment and much more. None of this would ever be possible at ICEF without them. Nor would there be any of the opportunities it offers.

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At ICEF, you find yourself immersed in international environment. Having students and teachers from abroad is what sets the ICEF master’s programme apart alongside with the cozy, even personalized, atmosphere it has created for its rather small community of students. What is more, the people who enroll in ICEF have something to be proud of and share with others on the professional side and life in general.

Anna and Viktor Yakovlev, parents to Daria Yakovleva

Daria’s choice of the degree programme was absolutely independent. We didn’t try to influence her choice or her decision to continue studies as a post-graduate student.

It wasn’t until our daughter enrolled in ICEF that we learned about its existence. We followed her academic life very closely during these two years. We have been to ICEF and got truly impressed and proud of our daughter being its student. We think Daria stands a very good chance of landing a competitive job offer also thanks to ICEF’s reputation on the labour market. We hope she will be happy with her future job and be able to make the most daring of her dreams a reality by unfolding her potential.

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the privilege of enjoying at our university. We really liked the ceremony. It was perfectly organized, with solemnity of the moment, heartfelt speeches and ICEF Director, Sergey Yakovlev, as host.

We wish ICEF every success and prosperity, committed teachers and students who do care and can make a difference.

Elena Yagafarova, ICEF bachelor’s degree graduate

The past few years have been difficult for the class of 2022, but one thing we surely feel proud of is being one of the first post-COVID classes that enjoyed their graduation ceremony on campus. I got overwhelmed with a wave of emotions and incredible special feeling of gratitude. I would like to thank everyone – my teachers, friends and parents – for these four years at ICEF.

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When I look back at these four years, I think about how ICEF helped me grow and has become a big part of my life. Alongside solid academic knowledge, it taught me to be independent, responsible for my actions and use my own judgements. And I cannot but mention Alla Fridman’s courses that instilled in me the confidence that I can overcome my challenges by acting patiently, in stepwise manner, towards my goal. Those courses helped me build self-confidence.

Thanks to ICEF I became a better goal setter and achiever. I am now more flexible and adaptable when it comes to problem-solving. And it is largely thanks to ICEF that I managed to successfully pass my international exams after a relatively short preparation and decide on the place for pursuing further studies without feeling underskilled. Wherever life should take me next, I have the courage to move forward. What I’m also proud of is my honours degree and high assessment of my thesis by my supervisor, Vincent Fardo, and committee.

My thinking behind the choice of thesis topic was to do high-quality research I could stay interested in. Inspired by the knowledge gained from Data Science for Economics course, I thought it was my chance to make the most of my chosen topic, which is association between the social network user’s moods and price/earnings ratio. There was a lot to learn while working on my thesis, including text analysis and dimensions of the data download from social networks. Helping me to not get lost in the sea of ideas was my supervisor, Vincent Fardeau.

There are many teachers I am grateful to for their help and advice. All this has, indeed, led to a successful thesis defense, but I would have much more difficult time writing my thesis had it not been for the ability to navigate the information flows and quickly learn new things that gained at ICEF. I don’t think I am that “only special graduate”. I think we all deserve to be called special, and I would like to congratulate us all on completing this challenging, and year exciting, page in our lives.

Vlad Kiryanov, ICEF bachelor’s degree graduate

Getting enrolled in ICEF has been one of the biggest achievements in my life. It was very gratifying to hear the speakers underline the role of families. My parents helped to move from Siberia to Moscow and to enroll in ICEF bachelor’s programme at a reduced tuition fee, although I could study free at HSE faculty of economic sciences. That my parents trusted my choice has been very wise of them.

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I owe my academic success largely to the people who were with me. Supportive atmosphere is what sets ICEF apart from other schools. I stayed in contact with students of all years, learning others’ experience and sharing my own. ICEF boasts a very friendly community and is like a big family. There hasn’t been a situation in my four years here when I was refused help. Here, you find yourself surrounded by motivated people from Russia’s best schools who are interested in moving forward and making plans for what they will do next after graduation. This works highly encouraging, stimulating you to grow. Compared to the experience at other universities, ICEF seems to be giving us much more homework, setting higher standards and demanding exam schedules, which does stimulate growth.

Once a university student, I kept telling myself that a student’s life is not just about books and studies. It is also about extracurricular activities and more. I lived in a dormitory and was often meeting new people. One of the meetings got me a place in the Student Council. I became its chairman and got deeply involved in advancing its role as an important link between students and university management. By getting the students’ voice heard, we feel we have a say in the learning process. One example of cooperation was when the Student Council was discussing with the ICEF management the quality of the online exams. Our goal was to increase the student satisfaction by analyzing students’ feedback. Another student body I have joined is ICEF Crew – the event planning and organizing team which was started 10+ years ago and continues passing down its experience to each new generation of students.

My role as an active contributor to student life earned me the honour to speak at the graduation ceremony. It wasn’t easy to complete this mission psychologically – the tight deadlines and fear of stage have had their effect – but thanks to the support from my classmate and friend Ekaterina Ivanushkina, I coped.

I thought a lot about what it is that makes ICEF an incredibly rewarding place. Even discussed it with my classmates. I think it’s mental endurance. ICEF has benefitted me greatly through opportunities for personal growth. Compared to students at other schools, we are better prepared to handle excessive mental loads and are therefore more competitive. Another thing I noted in my speech was contacts, friendships, and meeting new professionals. It was at ICEF that I met my most important people. I am very grateful to ICEF for being a community of like-minded people.