Students on the ‘Information Security Management’ Programme Get Training in China’s Huawei

Students studying for an MA in ‘Information Security Management’, Katerina Arinarkina, Eldar Beibutov, Evgeny Gusev, Nina Osenmuk, and Aminat Tarchokova, under the supervision of teacher Petr Baranov, have completed training courses with Huawei as part of the international ‘Seeds for the Future’ programme. The two-week course focused on studying contemporary information-communication technology, the principles of protecting information while working with it, experience of ensuring information security in a corporation that has a global network of subsidiaries.

Students on the Information Security Management MA programme, with their teacher Petr Baranov

The Seeds for the Future programme makes it possible for students to get to know Chinese culture in Beijing and complete training courses in Huawei’s Shenzhen headquarters. The programme has been running in Russia since 2012. Students on the programme had an opportunity to learn about rules governing information security, approaches to organizing information security in Huawei’s head office and subsidiaries, the organizational structure of the information security units, the company management’s position on neutralizing threats to information security facing the company. The students had the opportunity to interact with the company’s information security staff, received sample documents setting out the main areas of information security policy within the corporation.

They also enjoyed a visit to a factory where Huawei products are made. They saw the production process in action, assembly line staff and robots at work assembling the equipment. On concluding the course, the students sat an exam and received a certificate confirming that they had passed the course. Teachers rated their potential and general level very highly.

‘Huawei is working with over 100 universities under the ‘Seeds for the Future’ programme, training over 1,000 people from 35 countries globally,’ David Harmon, Vice President of the Public Affairs Department at Huawei. ‘We offer students from various different countries and various different universities the opportunity to get to know China’s rich cultural heritage and to visit Huawei to help form an understanding of the company’s principles and learn more about the latest developments in the information and communication technology sector.’

The Deputy Consul General of Russia in Guangzhou Vladimir Danilov was present at the ceremony during which certificates were awarded to students on completion of the course. He noted the key role Huawei plays in the educational partnership between the two countries, and said he hoped the students are able to put this knowledge to good use.

A video-linkup with students at Huawei headquarters was set up for HSE management during which the students shared their impressions on being involved in the programme, and their proposals regarding how cooperation between Huawei and HSE could be expanded. Head of the School of Business InformaticsSvetlana Maltseva expressed her hope that cooperation would ocntinue, and she also proposed that students take part in Huawei’s other educational programme – the Russian Nationwide Honor Cup. The Olympiad final took place in Moscow in September 2015.

The Information Security Department plans to expand its cooperation with the largest information security solutions and IT and communication devices producer. In 2015, there are plans to involve Huawei representatives in seminars and lectures for MA students.

The possibility of launching a research laboratory using Huawei equipment at HSE is also being considered. All this will not only facilitate the training of foreign specialists, but will also improve the conditions for the delivery of actual scientific results supported by practical research.

Managing Information Security MA students share their impressions of the research trip:

Eldar Beibutov: ‘An important part of any learning process is the application of the theoretical knowledge gained in practical tasks. In Huawei we had the opportunity to make lab robots using contemporary network equipment. We learned how to configure passive optical data transfer networks, and service 3G/UMTS data networks. This work helped us really understand what we had learned in lectures. The practical skills acquired also give us a competitive advantage in the job market.’

Katerina Arinarkina: ‘In addition to the classes, we had a rich cultural programme. We spent the first days in Beijing Language and Culture University, where we learned the basics of the Chinese language, calligraphy, and painting. The Chinese language is really appealing and we want to learn more. In Beijing we spent time at the Great Wall of China and were guests at a real tea ceremony. In Shenzhen we were particularly impressed by the city museum and Culture Village park, which showcases all the richness and diversity of the lives of different ethnic groups within China.’

Nina Osenmuk: ‘Studying on the Seeds for the Future programme gave us the opportunity to expand our horizons, not only thanks to the academic programme organized as part of the trip. Interactions with people from other countries, other cultures, was also invaluable. It is experience like that which really shapes how people see the world. During the trip we interacted with people from China itself, and from students from Singapore, India, and Ghana. It was particularly useful for students, because it makes it possible to set your priorities right at the beginning of your career path, by giving you a real picture of the world – rather than building it based on stereotypes.’

Aminat Tarchokova: ‘The most interesting thing for me as  a young information communication technology specialist was being involved in discussions on the latest problems on the sector at a global level. We had an excellent opportunity to expand our career horizons. The Seeds for the Future programme opens up opportunities to collaborate between two cultures, two strong economies, two great countries.’

Evgeny Gusev: ‘Studies under the Seeds for the Future programme were conceived as a kind of dialogue, everyone had an opportunity to contribute and take part in discussion. Teachers and organizers did everything they could to foster an active exchange of views. This really helped us gain new knowledge and develop our skillsets.’