Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) has announced the annual ranking of Russian universities based on the research “Electronic Internationalization: English Internet Resources of Russian Universities”. The research has been conducted since 2015 aimed at showing the dynamics of internationalization of education at Russian universities in the context of strategic national projects “5–100” and “Export of Education”. The ranking includes 67 universities that pursue global objectives and actively develop foreign language websites.
The report was presented on July 17, 2020 at the round table discussion “Online channels for promotion of Russian universities at the global education market”. The discussion included such issues as the role of English university websites for international promotion, the characterisctics of an excellent university website for modern-day audience, the ups and downs of Russian universities in comparison with their international counterparts, etc. The meeting featured case studies and reports by rectors, vice rectors and international relations curators of leading Russian universities aimed at sharing best practices.
MCU launched its full-fledged English website in 2018. In 2019 it entered the RIAC ranking, acquring 54 points according to the evaluation framework developed by the researchers. In 2020 MCU improved by 2 points, taking the 19th position and ranked in one group with such universities as MGIMO, RANEPA, Saint Petersburg University and others.
During the previous year, the MCU website has largely grown due to topic-related sections, such as Alumni, The Student Council, The Volunteers’ Center. A student blog has been launched featuring success stories and international exchange experiences by students and alumni. The Career section offers internship and professional opportunities at MCU’s partner organizations to Russian and international students and graduates. For international teachers and researchers interested in working at MCU there is the International Faculty section presenting information about employment and life in Moscow.
In 2020 and 2021 the English version of the MCU website will be further elaborated by adding new training programs and courses in English aimed at attracting more international students, researchers and professors.
The 2020 RIAC report in Russian is available here.