The Diplomatic Academy (DA) of the Russian Ministry for Foreign Affairs dates as far back as 1934 when an Institute for diplomatic and consular personnel was set up at the People’s Commissariat of Foreign Affairs that was later, in 1939, transformed into a Higher Diplomatic School (HDS). In 1974 in accordance with a resolution of the government HDS was transformed into the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the USSR.

• César Ritz Colleges Switzerland, and the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation have collaborated to establish a Joint Programme in 2004. This Joint Programme aims to enhance the knowledge of undergraduates, pursuing the Bachelor of Global Economics at the Diplomatic Academy, in hospitality and tourism subjects.

In order to achieve this ambitious aim, César Ritz Colleges Switzerland teaches specific hospitality and tourism courses to the students in Moscow in Spring of each year and the students then continue their learning experience in Switzerland in Summer. To date, there are more than 50 students enrolled in this Joint Programme.