Knowledge Marketplace: Wildberries&Russ and MGIMO Launch an Educational Project
This large-scale initiative could reshape how specialists in e-commerce are trained — both in Russia and abroad.
Top Managers' Experience
At a time when e-commerce is steadily expanding and companies are moving quickly into international markets, the boundaries between business and education are becoming increasingly blurred. It is at this intersection that a new agreement has emerged between RVB (the combined company Wildberries&Russ) and one of Russia’s leading universities, MGIMO.
The partners intend to develop joint educational and research initiatives and prepare talent for the digital economy.
The first outcome of the collaboration will be the launch of the course “Online Commerce and Marketplaces” for MGIMO master’s students. This is more than just theory: students will gain access to a real business environment, modern technologies, and, most importantly, direct communication with RVB experts.
“The experience of a Russian company that has become a major player not only at home but also in many international markets deserves study at world-class universities. Especially in digital business. What matters most in our practice-oriented approach is that knowledge transfer takes place through direct contact between students and top business managers,” said Andrey Baykov, MGIMO Vice-Rector for Research.
Beyond Theory — Toward Action
RVB experts will join as guest lecturers and mentors. They will contribute to master’s programs such as “Industry Marketing of Goods and Services” and “Digital Marketing.” The best MGIMO students will also have an opportunity to take part in the company’s internship program in 2026.
This course is only the beginning: discussions are already under way on scaling the program to other universities and integrating it into international educational projects. Given RVB’s active expansion into foreign markets, the course could evolve into not only a Russian initiative but also an exportable educational model.
The project fits a broader trend of recent years: large corporations increasingly assume the role of educational institutions. For example, in 2022 the marketplace Ozon launched the free Ozon Seller University platform for sellers, offering online courses for both newcomers and experienced merchants.
In 2024, Yandex and the Higher School of Economics rolled out a joint master’s program based on courses from Yandex’s School of Data Analysis (ShAD).
Access to Talent
The partnership between RVB and MGIMO illustrates how business and academia can effectively cooperate to create value for both sides. Companies gain access to talent and fresh ideas, while universities gain access to current knowledge and technologies. Igor Koval, RVB’s Director of Innovation and Ecosystem Development, called the new agreement an important step toward shaping a workforce for the digital economy:
“We will provide MGIMO students with a real foundation for their research and ideas — access to our platforms, technologies, practical knowledge, large-scale projects, and experts. Practice-oriented education is the key to preparing specialists who will be in demand.”
In an era where the digital economy is a defining factor of national competitiveness, such initiatives are not just helpful — they are essential.
