The project started in December 2009 and aims to develop an independent rating procedure for Russian universities and their programs, stimulate competition and intellectual capitalization of Russian universities, their edge in international education and research.

The winner of the 2011/2012 season is last year’s #1, Moscow State University with a score of 100. The runner-up is Moscow National Physics and Technology Research Institute (74 points), #3 went to Bauman Technology University (71 points), #4 –Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (70 points), #5 and #6 were split between the Southern Federal University and Novosibirsk National Research University (66 points each).

A total of 105 universities made the list for 2011/2012, including 76 universities and 29 national research universities (dedicated to both education and research).

Traditionally, the National Universities Rating is accompanied by an annual rating of industry-oriented universities. This year the focus was on the transport industry. The rating was compiled of 20 universities, with Moscow Transport at #1.

The competition was judged by six basic criteria: education; research; social programs; international programs; brand; commercial potential. The first two had a value of 0,2 points, the rest - 0,15.

The rating was based on survey forms filled by university employees, public information from official university websites, as well as several databases, including Rospatent, Rosstat and SCAN.

“The National Universities Rating is becoming more popular year after year and, notably, in academic circles and Russian employers as well as potential students”, said project head Alexey Chaplygin. The audiences are mostly interested in the highest-ranking national universities – federal and research.

“Universities have started paying more attention to our rating. Our researchers are now in closer contact with the strongest universities who have become more active in supplying us with information”, said Chaplygin.

Interfax and Moscow Echo Radio have launched their university ratings project in December 2009. The first rating in June 2010 analyzed two types of universities: classic and law, with 50 universities in each.

In 2011, the list was extended – the rating now features 104 universities, including 29 research. Last year was named Year of the Teacher in Russia and the 2010/2011 rating included 71 pedagogic university.

For the full National Universities Rating 2011/2012 please visit www.univer-rating.ru.

Project Group №6