Round University Ranking (RUR), in collaboration with Clarivate Analytics, has published a subject ranking in Natural Sciences. Perm State University (PSU) has taken 49th place, nationally, and the 1st territorially, having improved its position by 52 lines compared to last year.
PSU has improved its performance in such criteria as education and research. As for financial sustainability, it did jump ahead from 634 to 253 place.
The number of participants in the ranking in Natural Sciences has grown significantly since 2014 from 411 universities to 729. Russia has increased its presence in this subject ranking almost six times: from 11 universities in 2014 to 62 in 2021.
PSU is also known to enter the RUR in the field of Technical Sciences.
The Round University Ranking (RUR) had been set by a Russian development team and is based on international data collected annually from more than 800 leading universities in the world from 75-80 countries by 20 unique indicators and 4 key areas (teaching, research, international diversity, financial sustainability). All raw data for RUR Rankings is provided by Thomson Reuters. RUR Rankings cover the period from 2010 to the present.
Let’s find out the reasons why students from abroad choose Russian Universities! Saida Kasumova, 4th year undergraduate, Faculty of Philosophy and Sociology, Perm State University shares her insights and research on that question:
1. Large selection of universities and educational programs. Her in Russia, there are 741 universities and more than 400 training modules. Such choice fairly attracts those foreign applicants looking for a higher education institution abroad. Russian universities offer more than 650 division modules for bachelors’, masters’, specialists’ and postgraduate studies. Also, the universities organize special preparatory courses for foreign students, including programs for studying the Russian language.
2. Value for money. Russian universities, compared to others worldwide, are popular for their low tuition fees, in comparison with universities in the USA, Canada or UK. According to the standards, set by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, the cost of a full-time bachelor’s program starts from RUB 83,000 (about $1,100). The cost of education in capital cities such as Moscow and St. Petersburg will be significantly higher than in other regions, for sure. Overall, the level of education available for foreign citizens is optimal, with no compromise in efficiency of education service and level of teaching staff involved.
3. Studying on budget (scholarship availability) remains an important point for many applicants. In 2020, 15,000 budgetary places were allocated for foreign students. Russia is one of the few countries where budget places are provided for foreigners. There are also opportunities to enter the budget or get any other benefits for prize winners in university contests of various kind.
4. Provision of courses of Russian language, that is, a deep study of the language of the host country. On arrival, a foreign citizen, has the opportunity to learn Russian from scratch, and then start studying at local universities. The latter provide preparatory courses allowing to master the basic level of the Russian language, its grammar and rules, as well as expand the knowledge of other related subjects. Preparatory courses help future students to quickly adapt and successfully start their studies since entering the university.
5. The opportunity to get a double degree. In the early 2000s, Russia signed the Bologna Declaration, making a number of commitments to the common educational space of the participating countries. That is, for instance, while studying in Russia, not only a student may get a diploma by a Russian university, but also, by a European one. The Russian diploma is recognized in most countries of the world.
6. Campuses and dormitories. As already noted, there are a considerable number of Russian universities with their own campuses, including dormitories. This attracts many applicants, since it is fairly convenient for a student to reach the class without a delay. At the same time, the appearance of the university also acts as a priority, while making a choice.
7. Easy adaptation for international students. On average, it takes 1 year for a foreign student to adapt, according to those international students studying in Perm (according to PSU research).
Russia is known as a multinational country, with over 180 nationalities speaking more than 200 languages and dialects, with different religions and confessions – the fact that appeals many coming foreigners. Arriving in a country with such a diversity, a foreign student can easily find a friend from his/her own country – not to mention whole ethnic diasporas which are quite active here in Russia.
8. Climate and territory. Russia covers the largest area, globally, which affects its diversity. The advantage is that a young person can choose not only an educational program, but also a comfortable climate and area, upon his/her taste. For example, those who don’t mind rain may choose St. Petersburg, lovers of snow go to Siberia, and those who prefer sun and warmth – go down South. Still, Perm serves all tastes. An opportunity to travel across Russia at favorable prices is also a bonus. Each region has its own beauty and culture, with a support by local universities.
9. Simple interest which should not be denied. Russia remains a popular place of destination, much talked about and covered by media, globally. Based on feedbacks by many international students of Perm universities, some chose Russia as their future country of residence, upon their liking and taste.
From 18 May to 4 June, a series of online meetings were held, revealing the role of the palynological method in the study of the natural environment of past eras. In addition, all participants had the opportunity to ask questions and evolve them into a further scientific discussion.
Palynology is known as the study of plant pollen, spores and certain microscopic plankton organisms, collectively termed as palynomorphs, in both living and fossil form. The earliest reported observations of pollen under a microscope are likely to have been in the 1640s by the English botanist Nehemiah Grew. Palynomorphs form a geological record of importance in determining the type of prehistoric life. Microfossils provide important clues to the prevailing climatic conditions of the time.
“The lectures have been quite involving and useful, demonstrating a deep overview of dating methods. I personally enjoyed the vegetation analysis of the Kungur forest-steppe, as it is local and familiar for us, yet given a fresh angle of research. Looking forward for new collaborations in that direction,”
comments Natalia Moskvina, Associate Professor of the Department of Plant Physiology and Soil Ecology, PSU.
“Attending the seminar granted me the opportunity to gain new knowledge in the field of paleoecology. Most of all, I liked the lecture on the history of vegetation of the Perm territory in the Holocene, since it is my native region of study. The missing parts of the seminar can be covered by watching the sessions’ video recordings,”
notes Elizaveta Mekhonoshyna, student of the Faculty of Geography, PSU.
“The seminar expands boundaries for the scientific knowledge, provides updates in methodology and promotes live communication, to mention the participation of international researchers. I am very much looking forward for it to be continued,”
shares Elena Korkina, head of the Department of Geography, Nizhnevartovsk State University (Нижневартовский государственный университет).
The seminar was organized by the Department of Biogeocenology and Nature Conservation and the Center for Educational and Scientific Exchanges, Perm State University (PSU).
The Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) company has published a ranking of the best universities, globally. This year, the final ranking table includes the largest number of universities in its history – 1,300 universities. Perm State University (PSU) keeps up its position within 801-1000 ranking placement.
QS World University Rankings 2022 list includes 48 Russian universities, with PSU taking 32 place. In total, there are 7 other Russian universities in the 801-1000 range.
The ranking experts use six indicators, or metrics: Among them are academic reputation, employer reputation, citation per faculty, international faculty ratio, International student ratio, faculty/student ratio. PSU has gained the best score on the last criterion – 49 points.
Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) is considered as the world’s largest international higher education network, connecting universities, business schools & students, since 2004. Generally, the QS World University Rankings are regarded as one of the three most influential ones in the world, along with the Times Higher Education World University Rankings and the Academic Ranking of World Universities.
PSU has been included in various a QS University Rankings since in 2014, and retains its position regardless of the growing amount of new contestants.
Vadim Gataulin, Head of the Department of International Relations, PSU, has participated in the case session “Expansion: Ready to Roll – On Cooperation with New Digital Reality”, as part of Education Week last May. At the session, he commented on the progress of international activity at Perm State University (PSU), as well as the increase of partners from abroad, regardless of the pandemic.
In 2020, PSU signed 23 agreements on scientific and academic cooperation with universities from 12 countries, to name Armenia, Great Britain, Israel, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Mexico, Norway, USA, Taiwan, Turkey and France.
Since the start of 2021, PSU has already signed 19 agreements on scientific and academic cooperation with 16 universities from Belgium, Belarus, Israel, Kazakhstan, China, Romania, Uzbekistan, and Japan.
Despite the difficult working conditions in 2020, PSU accepted 865 international students in both basic educational programs and academic mobility and academic exchange programs. (Figures did significantly increase last years: 387 students in 2017; 353 in 2018; and 747 in 2019).
Keeping in mind students from abroad and partner organizations, the case session discussed the adaptation of Russian universities to the new conditions of teaching, the education market after the pandemic, and the efficiency of online and offline services.
“Besides challenge, any crisis does provide opportunity. Yet, at the same time, I have to state that the pressure on teaching staff has increased, in connection with online formats. And, in order to ensure the same level of education quality, additional efforts have to be made. This year we were forced to fully engage in the online environment,”
says Vadim Gataulin, head of the Department of International Relations, PSU.
Within the case session framework, the issue of legal support when working with foreign applicants, has been touched, as well as migration legislation and further employment opportunities in Russia.
The has been set by IPR MEDIA, moderated by Vera Skorobogatova, Leading Researcher, Institute for Demographic Research, Federal Research Sociological Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, as well as Natalya Ivanova, Head of IPR MEDIA.
Russian universities are fairly in demand among many foreigners, globally. How many international students come here to study – Russia, and Perm, in particular?
In 2019/2020 academic year, 315,000 students arrived in Russia from abroad, which is about 8% of the total number of students, nationally. According to the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, the total number of students in Russia in 2020/2021, both Russian and international, gained up to 4 million.
According to https://studyinrussia.ru/, among foreign students studying at Russian universities, the largest number of citizens is from Kazakhstan (more than 60,000 people) and from Uzbekistan (more than 40,000 people). Other major countries include Turkmenistan, China, Tajikistan, India, Ukraine, Belarus, Egypt, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova.
Here in Perm there are 15 universities, only 2 of them are private, other all are state-governed and funded. Perm-based higher institutions offer:
more than 350 areas of training;
more than 200 specialties;
2,000 professions upon graduation.
To mention, Perm State University offers its graduates 549 professions, which speaks for itself.
The number of foreign students is increasing every year. In 2019-2020, according to the Ministry of Education and Science of the Perm krai, 3757 foreign students from 55 countries studied here, locally. The largest number of students came from India – 1,676 students. Perm is also popular among students from Kazakhstan, Egypt, Turkmenistan, Iraq, Morocco, China and Azerbaijan.
Next time we will speak, about the reasons that students from abroad choose Russian universities.
Andrei Korolev, Associate Professor, Department of Tourism, PSU has been awarded with the Crystal Compass («Хрустальный компас») International Award in the “Travel and Expedition” nomination. The “Earth Poles of Inaccessibility” project by Andrei Korolev and his team, launched in 1998, remains active until today, raising attention and applause from professionals in tourism, worldwide.
Expedition routes passed through the inaccessibility poles of Eurasia, Russia, Kun-Lun, Tibet, Pamir, Tien Shan, North America, New Zealand, Madagascar, Altai, the Sayans and Urals, Continental US, as well as areas of inaccessibility in Antarctica, Greenland, Africa, South America and Australia.
“The areas known as inaccessible are very rarely visited, and serve a standard of natural purity. They give us a clue of what our planet was in prehistoric era. These are the places where the time seemes to stop, and the impact of civilization is at its lowest,”
states Andrei Korolev
The biggest expedition around Tibet territories reached 49 days, with a length of 2500 km (1 553 mi). The project involves travels to most inaccessible points of the world, with no use of vehicles (other than bicycles or ski), in a small group of people, completely autonomous.
Since 2006, the total mass of data collected throughout expeditions became a source for 2 books, over 50 papers and monographs, as well as research publications in the Scopus, also to mention popular science magazines, like National Geographic.
The Crystal Compass, regarded as an international ‘Oscar’ in geography by many, is a known international award marking notable achievements and practical solutions in geography and ecology, as well as preservation and protection of natural, historical and cultural heritage.
The Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation has prepared a draft resolution “On grants by the Government of the Russian Federation to foreign citizens studying under bachelor’s programs, specialist programs, master’s programs in Russian educational institutions within the quota of the Government of the Russian Federation.”
The draft resolution has been posted on the official website www.regulation.gov.ru for public discussion.
The document is aimed at creating systematic conditions for supporting the most talented foreign citizens enrolled under the quota by the Government of the Russian Federation, based on the results of school contests or olympiads for persons applying for education in Master’s programs. The draft resolution proposes to approve a regulation that will determine the mechanism for selecting foreign citizens to provide them with grant support from the budget, as well as the procedure for providing such support.
The Department of International Relations, PSU reminds about the opportunity to apply for the on-line Summer School of Chinese Language at Da Yeh University (Taiwan), from 7 June to 27 August. The applications should be sent due to 3 June.
Perm State University signed a partnership agreement with Da Yeh University (Taiwan) in June 2020. Da-Ye University (Taiwan) is a private higher education institution that has been active in scientific, research and educational since 1990.
Da Yeh University has over 11,211 students enrolled in 6 different disciplines offered by six different colleges: the College of Engineering, the College of Design and Arts, the College of Management, the College of Foreign Languages, the College of Biotechnology and Bio-Resources, the College of Tourism and Hospitality, as well as the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, founded later in 2014.
On 25-26 April night, the International University Chess League was held on the www.lichess.org portal, attended by 398 players from 35 universities in 11 countries, worldwide. Among many, Russia, USA, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, Canada, France, Italy, Great Britain, Mexico and Fiji took part.
According to the rules of the competition, each university could declare an unlimited number of people. The team classification was formed by the sum of the 8 best personal results. With 260 points in the final table, the team of Perm State University won a sensational victory in the competition. This is the first PSU international success in the history of the chess. Other top winners are also Russian universities: Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, and Moscow State University.
Following the Top 3, is the teams of Princeton University (USA), led by Andrew Tang, known American grandmaster, considered one of the best in the world in speed play on the Internet. On www.lichess.org, Andrew Tang holds an honorable 1: 2 points ratio with the reigning world champion Magnus Carlsen from Norway (at the time of publication, the score of personal meetings was 328-671).
Artem Polonsky, a graduate of the Faculty of Economics, PSU and a coach of the Univer Sports Club chess team (46 points) took the 1st place in the individual competition of the International University League, not without a share of luck. The tournament was held from midnight to 01:40 local Perm time, PSU team including 26 players.
