The International Week of Sustainable Development I-WEEK 2023 is recognized as the best interdisciplinary course at the University of Antwerp

On November 30, the International Sustainability Week I-WEEK 2023, an event organized by the Faculty of Business and Economics of the University of Antwerp, was honored with the recognition of "best interdisciplinary course" at the University of Antwerp for its focus on sustainability

For the past three years, the Graduate School of Business has been in active collaboration with the University of Antwerp. Annually, a delegation of students from the Graduate School participates in the I-WEEK program. Additionally, Associate Professor Ekaterina Ivanova from the HSE Department of Strategic and International Management is involved as one of the organizers and teachers of the course. In recognition of their contributions to the program, the Graduate School of Business was granted 20 complimentary additional placements for I-WEEK 2024, resulting in an expansion of the Russian delegation from ten to thirty students.

The I-WEEK training program spans 5 intensive days, featuring interactive lectures, discussions, and seminars. It provides students with the opportunity to engage with prominent international scholars, sustainable development experts, and business executives in a hybrid, online, or offline format. Prior to the commencement of I-WEEK, students undergo intensive introductory online lectures focusing on key concepts of responsible business and sustainable development. They also participate in an interactive session addressing cross-cultural aspects of interaction in an international environment.

The I-WEEK teaching team comprises representatives from the University of Antwerp, including I-WEEK co-heads Professor Peter Verhezen, specializing in Strategy, Sustainable Development, and Corporate Governance, and Professor Luc Van Liedekerke, an expert in Business Ethics. Additionally, the teaching staff includes members from 15 universities worldwide, among whom Ekaterina Ivanova, Associate Professor of the Department of Strategic and International Development at HSE, has been representing HSE for the third consecutive year.

I-WEEK 2023 marked the tenth anniversary of the program, attracting over 300 students from 5 continents. Comprehensive information about the tenth edition of I-WEEK can be accessed on the University of Antwerp's YouTube channel, and further program details are also available on their official website

The Graduate School of Business expresses its gratitude to the University of Antwerp for this opportunity and extends the enrollment of students to participate in I-WEEK 2024 until December 27, 2023.

To apply for participation in I-WEEK 2024, follow these steps:

1. Write a motivation letter in English, not exceeding 500 words, expressing your interest in participating in I-WEEK 2024.
2. Complete the application form on the HSE website by December 27, 2023.
3. Successful candidates from the first stage of the competition will be required to prepare three posts for the "Sustainable Navigator" telegram channel, addressing current topics related to sustainable development in January 2024.
4. Following the selection process, 30 competition winners will be chosen to participate in I-WEEK 2024.

If you have any questions, please write to the email address outgoing.gsb@hse.ru  

Peter Verhezen

Professor of Strategy, Sustainable Development and Corporate Governance at the University of Antwerp

I-WEEK 2023 evolved into more than just a learning event; it became a platform for collaboration, inspiration, and the quest for sustainable solutions for the future world.

Ekaterina Ivanova

Associate Professor, Department of Strategic and International Management, Graduate School of Business, HSE

I-WEEK has established itself as my preferred international educational endeavor at HSE. I am immensely pleased to witness the increasing enthusiasm among HSE students for this distinctive interdisciplinary program on sustainable development over the past three years. Despite challenges, I am thankful to my colleagues at the University of Antwerp for sustaining our collaboration. The participation in I-WEEK has already proven to be a career springboard for numerous graduates. The program's alumni community continues to expand, fostering a tradition of perpetuity in the finest practices of sustainable development.

Tatyana Kotelnikova

3rd year student of the HSE Bachelor's degree program "Business Management"

I-WEEK 2022 served as my inaugural international learning platform. The welcoming nature of international students, the expertise of the speakers, and the unconventional formats of lectures and seminars played a pivotal role in defining my career trajectory in sustainable business development. Fast forward two years, I find myself as a member of the selection committee. I am elated to be intimately involved with I-WEEK and to contribute to the promotion of this exceptional opportunity!