‘The HSE Faculty of Humanities Affirms Its Status as a Leading Centre in Russia and Abroad’
On December 1, the HSE Faculty of Humanities celebrated its 10th anniversary. In honour of the occasion, HSE leaders, representatives of other universities, and members of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) gathered at the university’s Cultural Centre to congratulate the faculty.
Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Felix Azhimov, shared key statistics. ‘Our faculty currently comprises seven core educational units: the School of Philosophy and Cultural Studies, the Schools of Linguistics, History, Philological Studies, Russian as a Foreign Language, the Institute for Oriental and Classical Studies, and the School of Foreign Languages, which is an associated division. Within the faculty, we have three research institutes and approximately 30 research units,’ he said. The dean added that the faculty hosts four postgraduate schools, with a fifth in Asian Studies set to open soon. HSE university will be the first academic institution in Russia to offer postgraduate programmes in this field.
‘We have over 1,000 staff members, and the total number of students, including postgraduates, is nearly 5,000. Our continuing professional education programmes are also actively developing. The faculty has made significant achievements in terms of admissions, rankings, and overall performance,’ noted Felix Azhimov.
HSE Rector Nikita Anisimov sent his congratulations, wishing the Faculty of Humanities continued scientific discoveries and prosperity. ‘Over the years, the faculty has affirmed its status as a leading centre for humanities education in Russia and abroad, thanks to its unique academic community,’ he said.
‘Ten years may seem brief, but it depends on how those years are spent,’ said Vadim Radaev, HSE First Vice Rector, addressing the guests. ‘In our fast-paced world, a year often feels like two. Ten years ago, the faculty united humanities schools and departments, but much of its foundation had been laid long before, with many initiatives starting earlier.’
Ruslan Gagkuev, Chairman of the Russian Historical Society (RIO) and Executive Director of the History of the Fatherland Foundation, emphasised the successful collaboration with the Faculty of Humanities. ‘We are pleased to be part of such a collaborative effort, especially in historical education, though other specialties also contribute to our joint activities. We are long-standing friends and partners. HSE University was one of the first institutional members of RIO, and our partnership has grown even stronger in recent years, largely thanks to the faculty,’ said Ruslan Gagkuev. He noted that the faculty actively participates in RIO events, with both staff and students being members, and that is a rare distinction.
HSE President Alexander Shokhin called the faculty's anniversary a significant event for the university. ‘Over a decade, the faculty has become a symbol of intellectual pursuit, free thinking, and high academic standards. You are shaping a generation of specialists who deeply understand the humanitarian challenges of our time, capable of asking tough questions and finding worthy answers,’ Shokhin stated.
Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education Konstantin Mogilevsky also congratulated the faculty’s teachers, students, and alumni. ‘This celebration is not just for the university but for the entire country. The Faculty of Humanities is the largest and one of the most renowned faculties at HSE, recognised as a hub of intellectual thought, a training ground for talent, and a place with a unique, vibrant atmosphere,’ he said.
‘Our collaboration with the faculty is embodied in pioneering master’s programmes. What pleases us most is the shared vision of our joint work,’ noted Maxim Kozlov, Rector of the Saints Cyril and Methodius Institute of Post-Graduate Studies. Other university representatives, including Elena Vartanova (Dean of the Faculty of Journalism, Moscow State University), Igor Dukhan (Professor, Belarusian State University), Dmitry Zaitsev (Deputy Dean, Faculty of Philosophy, Moscow State University), Alexey Sokolov (Professor, Institute of Philosophy, St Petersburg State University), and Polina Shcherbina (Director, School of Arts and Humanities, Far Eastern Federal University), also congratulated the faculty.
The evening featured an interactive sand art performance. An artist created live sand animations of images familiar to HSE students, including a raven, the faculty’s logo, and the Atlantes sculptures at the Staraya Basmannaya building. Students presented a congratulatory video highlighting the significance of the faculty in their lives.
The Faculty of Humanities was established on December 1, 2014, by decision of the HSE Academic Council. It quickly became one of the leading humanities faculties in Russia due to its comprehensive educational programmes, research activities, and exceptional teaching staff. The faculty offers a wide range of programmes, including 22 bachelor’s and 22 master’s degrees.
Its primary mission is to advance knowledge in the humanities, foster critical thinking, and cultivate a culture of personal development among future leaders. The faculty provides an educational environment where students can realise their potential, develop talent, and find their place in the professional world.
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