Graduation Ceremony for the Double-degree Master’s Programme in Big Data Systems

On June 29, the third graduation ceremony for the double-degree Master’s programme in Big Data Systems (HSE, Russia) and Information Systems Management (UAS Technikum Wien, Austria) was hosted at the Austrian Ambassador’s Residence in Moscow. Dr. Hartmut Koller-Lenhardt, Chancellor at the Embassy of Austria in Moscow, gave the opening address. He congratulated the graduates on their successful completion of the programme and stressed the importance of cooperation between the universities in regards to cultural and professional communication and connections.

Representatives of HSE – Boris Zhelezov, Deputy First Vice-Rector; Professor Svetlana Maltseva, Academic Supervisor of the Big Data Systems programme, and Mikhail Komarov, Deputy Head of the School of Business Informatics, also took part in the ceremony, along with representatives of such partner companies as Croc Ltd. and FORS Development Ltd., who highlighted the importance of joint activities between the universities, as well as discussed the programme’s importance for industry in their addresses.

Dr. Fritz Schmöllebeck, Rector of UAS Technikum Wien, expressed his deep satisfaction with the fruitful long-term partnership between the two institutions. He also emphasized the importance of the knowledge students obtain, especially in regards to such issues as digitalization and digital transformation.

In his speech, Dr. Zhelezov provided some statistics about the collaboration with UAS Technikum Wien. During the five years of this partnership, the double-degree programme thrice received the support of the Erasmus+ credit mobility programme. This allowed students and staff to get additional support from the EU to enhance collaboration between the universities. Overall, 29 students have graduated from the programme over the last three years, while the total number of students interested in studying in Austria and in Russia has been increasing year by year. Dr. Zhelezov congratulated both professors and students for this fruitful partnership.

Furthermore, Dr. Helmut Gollner, Academic Supervisor of the Information Systems Management programme, highlighted the students’ achievements while in Austria and in Russia, as well as noted the opportunities available. He recalled several success stories about the programme’s previous alumni.

This year, nine graduates (five from the Austrian programme, and four from Russia) were awarded double-degree diplomas from the HSE School of Business Informatics and the Faculty of Business Informatics at UAS Technikum Wien, demonstrating the successful collaboration between the two institutions over the past five years.

This was the second time the Embassy of Austria in Moscow hosted the graduation ceremony. The graduates were especially happy this year because their relatives were invited and had an opportunity to come from Austria to Russia for this very special day.

According to the agreement between HSE and UAS Technikum Wien, students should attend classes in Russia and in Austria, and must present their Master’s theses to a joint examination committee.

Applications for HSE's Master's programmes are open until July 15, 2018. International students can apply online.