Knowledge Day of the “Marketing Management” program at the HSE Graduate School of Business brought students together at the Shabolovka campus

The online master's program “Marketing Management” is originally designed for distance learning. However, this year, at the initiative of students who expressed a desire to start their studies with in-person communication and getting to know each other, Knowledge Day was held in a hybrid format. On October 3, first-year students met on the HSE GSB campus on Shabolovka, and those who could not come joined online — together they launched the new academic year.

The ceremonial part began with a welcoming speech from the academic supervisor of the program, Vadim Tikhonov, and words of guidance from the instructors of key disciplines. Immediately after, the students received their first academic assignment, as well as a gift — the book “The Russian Management Model” by Alexander Prokhorov, Associate Professor of the Department of Strategic and International Management at the HSE Graduate School of Business, which will enrich their professional library.

The symbolic start to the academic year was given by Alexander Gabrielov, Deputy Director of the HSE Graduate School of Business, and Regina Gareeva, Director of the Career Center of the HSE Graduate School of Business, spoke about career opportunities and student activities.

Participants moved from theory to practice right away. The first group task for first-year students was the famous Marshmallow Challenge, during which teams competed in building the tallest tower from spaghetti, tape, and marshmallows. While work was in full swing in the classroom, students on the online broadcast were actively getting to know each other during networking.

VADIM TIKHONOV

academic supervisor of the Master’s program “Marketing Management”

This format became a real breakthrough, allowing students not only to get acquainted but to immediately engage in teamwork. Judging by the feedback, the experience was successful, and such meetings are planned to become a good tradition.

The story of program alumna Kristina Bessmertnaya was especially inspiring for first-year students. She spoke about how studying at HSE GSB helped her build her career and revealed the secrets of effective networking.

Kristina Bessmertnaya

alumna of the master’s program “Marketing Management”

The main value of the program for me is the powerful networking and knowledge that can be applied in practice right away. Thanks to the advice of one of my groupmates, my company won a tender, and in the student chat we shared job openings faster than they could be posted on websites.

Knowledge Day became not just the start of studies for students of the “Marketing Management” program, but a true immersion into an atmosphere of collaboration, creativity, and mutual support. Ahead of them lie new projects, discoveries, and professional achievements.