The New Economic School, jointly with Sber and the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech), is launching a new Master's Program in Artificial Intelligence and Fintech. The program is set to start on September 1, 2025.
Anton Suvorov, Professor and Rector of NES:
"We are grateful to our partners from Sber and Skoltech for supporting this ambitious project. The global goal of the program is to train professionals to develop fintech in Russia. NES is responsible for all operational aspects of the program: we know exactly how to turn mathematicians, physicists, and other technical specialists into true experts in quantitative finance. Therefore, we primarily seek graduates from universities like Moscow State University, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, and the Higher School of Economics, with strong mathematical backgrounds. A solid mathematical foundation is essential for working with artificial intelligence models. This is an applied program, not an academic one, so students should be ready to work with large amounts of data from the start. An economic education must develop not just technical skills, but, probably even more importantly — meta-skills: critical thinking, a strive for deep intuitive understanding of the world, and the ability and desire to learn. We are preparing not just technicians, but versatile, thoughtful, and, in the best sense, ambitious people — future leaders".
The educational program combines the best practices and modern scientific and applied knowledge in finance, economics, and artificial intelligence. Each partner is responsible for their specific area of expertise. The main focus of the program is on quantitative finance and financial technologies, incorporating mathematical models of artificial intelligence. The practical part of the program includes analytics, risk management, and trading. Students will also study key aspects of modern financial markets, institutions, technologies, and products and will have the opportunity to work on Sber projects.
Dzhangir Dzhangirov, Senior Vice President and Head of the Risk Division at Sber:
"Cooperation with leading universities is a priority for Sber. We aim to attract talented young specialists and work together to design curricula that are as productive as possible, creating a solid foundation for their confident start and professional growth in leading companies in Russia. Together with NES and Skoltech, we have developed a cross-disciplinary modular program, where each subject is taught over 7-8 weeks. The faculty will include professors with PhDs from leading global universities, as well as professionals and international experts in finance and artificial intelligence. I believe this program is important for the overall development of the country, given the specifics of artificial intelligence, which significantly boosts efficiency across all industries, including fintech".
Alexander Kuleshov, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences and Rector of Skoltech:
"Being one of the leaders in artificial intelligence research in Russia, Skoltech will optimally complement the economic expertise of NES and the fintech product vision of Sber, providing the scientific foundation for the program. The institute has also proven itself in applied AI projects, including finance. We believe this program, which brings together the unique competencies of all the partners, will attract talented youth".
The curriculum, developed with input from the various departments of Sber, will help students gain the knowledge and skills necessary for success in fintech. The program will last two years. The first intake will consist of 20-30 students. Applications will be accepted from June 20 to July 28. Applicants are required to pass exams in mathematics and English, and undergo an interview. It is also possible to apply through the NES Olympiad, with the next one scheduled for April 19.