Project 5-100 was a special government run program to develop major Russian universities. The program was launched by the Russian Ministry of Education and Science in 2013. It was aimed at improving the prestige of Russian higher education and bring at least five universities from among the project participants into the 100 best universities in the world according to the three most authoritative world rankings: Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), Times Higher Education (THE), and Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) by 2020. However, this goal was never achieved.
Project 5-100 played a significant role in increasing the visibility and status of Russian higher education and science in the global scientific and educational space. Based on the analysis of the results, Accounts Chamber of Russia made a conclusion that the program generally corresponded to many trends that designate the initiatives of academic excellence in leading economies, including stimulating competition among universities, internationalising all areas of activity and increasing scientific potential.
The implementation of Project 5-100 allegedly led to significant positive systemic changes. It noticeably strengthened university science without which advancement in global rankings could not be possible. The number of Russian universities in the international institutional rankings ARWU, THE and QS increased more than threefold, from 15 to 51. Moscow State University was the only one to rank within the first 100 positions in ARWU and QS by 2020; however, some of the institutions were successful in subject-specific rankings: eight universities participating in the program were included in the top-100 World subject rankings, taking 16 positions. A significant qualitative shift reportedly took place in the development of the Russian higher education system and science in general. Project 5-100 universities also formed a modern infrastructure for solving various scientific issues. Within the walls of educational institutions, new world-class research laboratories, in which the work was headed by leading Russian and foreign scientists, were established. Students, undergraduates and postgraduates are involved in the new laboratories to conduct research in topical scientific areas.[1][2][3]
- ^ "Указ № 2006-р "Об утверждении плана мероприятий по развитию ведущих университетов, предусматривающих повышение их конкурентоспособности среди ведущих мировых научно-образовательных центров"" [Decree № 2006-r "On approval of the action plan for the development of leading universities, providing for increasing their competitiveness among the world's leading scientific and educational centers"] (in Russian). Ministry of Education and Science (Russia). 29 October 2012. Archived from the original on 7 February 2016. Retrieved 27 March 2016.
- ^ "Указ № 211 "О мерах государственной поддержки ведущих университетов Российской Федерации в целях повышения их конкурентоспособности среди ведущих мировых научно-образовательных центров"" [Decree № 211 "On measures of state support for leading universities of the Russian Federation in order to increase their competitiveness among the world's leading scientific and educational centers"] (in Russian). Ministry of Education and Science (Russia). 23 March 2013. Archived from the original on 20 August 2013. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
- ^ "Указ № 599 "О мерах по реализации государственной политики в области образования и науки"" [Decree № 599 | "On measures to implement state policy in the field of education and science"] (in Russian). Vladimir Putin. 7 May 2012.