HSE Opens Unilever-branded Classroom

Room 328a at 11 Myasnitskaya Ulitsa has been equipped by Unilever as part of its partnership with the Master of International Business programme.

The grand opening of the first HSE classroom branded and sponsored by an international company took place on May 13, 2016.

‘The Higher School of Economics has been a reliable strategic partner for Unilever for the last six years’, said Inara Gerikhanova, Employer Brand and Talent Sourcing Manager at Unilever, ‘We believe that your university is very close to our company’s culture in terms of its philosophy and approaches to the educational process. HSE students and graduates have been leaders in the number of applications for internships and other Unilever projects for the last few years’.

Gerikhanova said that they opened a branded classroom at HSE in part to increase student awareness of the company’s brands. ‘In addition, such a step allows us to promote a positive influence on the academic community. This classroom is a highly functional venue and a great platform for various events organized by our company. Our plans for cooperation with the university include developing the Master of International Business programme at the Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs, as well as organizing master-classes by business experts. These projects are aimed at in-depth collaboration with our target audience and potential employees. As to our company’s further, more global, plans on collaboration with universities, we will increase our involvement in the higher education system and act as a quality guarantor. We are developing new forms of optional courses, business evaluations, and, of course, in-depth studies in particular industries‘, said Inara Gerikhanova.

Unilever is a long-standing partner of the university and regularly supports its various projects. For example, Unilever was one of the sponsors of the recent April Conference.

‘Unilever was the first official business partner of the Master of International Business programme’, said Irina Kratko, the programme’s academic supervisor, ‘It was also the first to initiate the opening of a branded classroom at HSE, in partnership with the programme. This speaks to the strong ties and mutual interests the business community and the educational programme share. This classroom will be a regular venue for master-classes by Unilever’s top executives. In September 2016 we will launch a series of regular master-classes on all functional areas of the company’s operations. This will allow the employer to participate in the study process directly, be actively involved in work with students, and receive some useful feedback. Photos of HSE graduates who have gone on to take senior roles in the company are exhibited in the classroom, and this provides a powerful incentive. One of the 2015 graduates of the Master of International Business programme is among them. All HSE students will have classes in this room. The opening of a branded classroom has attracted and will further attract the attention of other big companies and will help further develop partner relations between employers and HSE.’