Masterclass in Swiss Technopark: Intercultural Communication in Business Environment and Diplomacy

---

On 9 December, the Swiss technology park Mobahaus hosted a significant event organised by the residents of the technology park together with the School of Economics and Management of the National Research University Higher School of Economics and Management St. Petersburg with the active assistance of Natalia Ursul, Associate Professor and Deputy Head of the Department of Foreign Languages. It brought together representatives of diplomacy, business and academic community, as well as students to discuss issues of cross-cultural communication, management under uncertainty and interaction in the global environment.

The meeting was opened by Mrs Beatrice Lattayer, Consul General of Switzerland in St Petersburg. She emphasised the importance of diplomacy in strengthening international cooperation, inspiring the participants with her address. Among the guest speakers were Daniel Rehmann, business consultant of the Technopark, Guillaume Leroy, CEO of Pieter-Raduga, and Tigpran Kholodayev, implementation project manager of TBS Software. They shared practical examples from their work, talking about strategies for business adaptation in the context of cultural diversity and global economic changes. The programme included lectures on the basics of diplomacy, cross-cultural interaction and corporate communications. Special attention was paid to practical aspects: participants analysed case studies, participated in competitions and actively interacted with representatives of the Technopark. The discussions were complemented by real-life examples where cultural differences and adaptability in management played a key role.

An equally fascinating part of the event was a tour of the Technopark conducted by Daniel Rehmann. The participants saw the process of creating Swiss watches used in Russian transport - from railway stations to the metro. The students were introduced to the intricacies of production, saw the assembly stages and learnt how watches ensure synchronisation of large transport systems. In addition, the guests were shown the offices of Mobahaus residents decorated with modern works of art, which emphasised the unique creative atmosphere of the space. The final chord of the evening was a small New Year's Eve buffet, where the participants could chat with the residents of the Technopark, ask questions and share their impressions. Christmas gifts from the Swiss Consul created a festive mood and were a pleasant conclusion to the event.

   This meeting demonstrated how diplomacy, business and education can effectively interact. The participants noted that they not only gained useful knowledge and skills, but were also inspired for new ideas and projects. The students were pleased with the format, which combined educational and practical aspects and provided an opportunity to establish valuable professional contacts. The organisers and guests expressed their sincere gratitude for the qualitatively prepared event, noting its importance for personal and professional growth, as well as for strengthening ties between the university and the business community.

 

Text: Alekseeva Olga

Photo: Ali Muhammad Samid