On 17 September 2024, Center-invest Bank and Rostov State University of Economics (RINH) signed an agreement to create an Artificial Intelligence Centre to train economists in the skills of working with digital models and databases.

The Centre will train unique and highly sought-after artificial intelligence specialists with a deep understanding of the mechanisms of the regional economy, who are able to work with intelligent digital systems.

"The opening of the Centre combines the organisational capabilities of the bank and the university to help students acquire artificial intelligence skills to solve economic problems and bridge the gap between the theory and practise of different disciplines. Automation of routine economic tasks expands the creative potential of students, helps each talented person to see the non-obvious, do the incredible, and achieve the impossible together with other talented people," commented Professor Vasily Vysokov, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Doctor of Economics.

The Centre’s curriculum includes several areas: Models of artificial intelligence in regional economics, Design of economic mechanisms, Financial technologies, Artificial intelligence in the training of economists.

The theoretical base will be inseparable from practise: under the guidance of university and bank staff, teams of students will be able to apply the knowledge they have gained in working on current tasks for businesses, regional and federal authorities. Upon completion of their studies, students will receive advanced training diplomas.

Center-invest Bank and RSUE (RINH) have been reliable partners for over 30 years. The founders of the bank, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Doctor of Economics, Professor Vasily Vysokov and member of the Board of Directors, Ph.D. in Economics, Associate Professor Tatyana Vysokova, as well as Chairperson of the Board of the bank Lidiya Simonova, began their scientific and career paths within the walls of the university.

During the cooperation between Center-invest Bank and RSUE (RINH), dozens of successful joint projects have been implemented, such as the Artificial Intelligence for SDGs competition, the Constellation of the South acceleration programme of RSUE (RINH), the Economy of Transformations international student competition, hackathons, and scientific conferences.

The assets of the endowment fund for the development of the RSUE (RINH) are managed by Center-invest Bank, and Professor Vasily Vysokov is a member of the fund’s board of trustees. In 2022, the bank increased the fund’s capital by 3 million roubles.

Students of the RSUE (RINH) traditionally become winners of the Smart Scholarship competition, which has been held by the Center-invest Bank for 23 years in a row. The most talented students have the opportunity to complete an internship with the prospect of further employment in Center-invest Bank, one of the largest regional banks in Russia.