On the morning of April 16, 2025, Dmitry Kharshak, Dean of HSE Art and Design School at the National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE University), Russia, led a delegation to visit the School of Arts at Chongqing University. Peng Xiaoxi, Vice Dean of the School of Arts; Xiong Xiqiu, Deputy Director of the Department of Design; faculty representatives Yu Huijuan and Kuang Chengquan; and International Affairs Secretary Duan Xinyi attended the exchange symposium.  

During the symposium, Peng Xiaoxi introduced the School's development history, disciplinary construction, and international exchanges. Xiong Xiqiu highlighted signature course projects in the Visual Communication Design program. Dmitry shared the educational framework of HSE Art and Design School and demonstrated an innovative digital teaching platform developed by the institution. This platform provides personalized homepage spaces for faculty and students, supporting online project submissions, remote evaluation, and cross-regional collaboration. Both parties reached preliminary consensus on co-hosting international design competitions, planning to use such events as a starting point to advance deeper collaborations including faculty-student exchanges, joint courses, teaching partnerships, and academic exchanges. They also agreed to expedite the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).  

Following the symposium, Dmitry delivered an academic lecture titled "Visual Design for Cultural Institutions" to faculty and students. Drawing from years of practical design experience, he analyzed challenges and solutions in design practice. During the Q&A session, students actively raised questions on topics including "integrating traditional culture with modern design" and "AI's impact on designers," which Dean Dmitry addressed in detail.