The Russian government is increasing funding for its 5-100 program, a federal project to improve the competiveness of Russian universities and ensure Russia is placed in the global top 100 universities. According to the Ministry of Education and Science, between the period of 2018–2020, funding for the 5-100 program will jump 25.0% to RUB 43.5 billion ($749 million).

The 5-100 program is made up of 21 universities, and the program’s mission is to ensure that 5 national universities enter the world ranking of the top 100 universities, as rated by QS, Times Higher Education and the Academic Ranking of World Universities. Currently, only Moscow State University has successfully entered the rankings, although it is not part of the 5-100 program. The government has acknowledged that the 5-100 program has not received adequate funding, largely due to the recent economic troubles in the country, which resulted in the 5-100 program’s funding being cut 6%. However, due to a brain drain in the country and a need to retain top scientific talent, the government is working to find a way to increase the program’s funding.

The 5-100 program also aims to implement technical re-equipment, improved collaboration efforts with international universities, additional promotion of Russian universities and recruitment of international students. Critics of the program state that it fails to adequately represent medical and agriculture universities, and that the 5-100 budget is still too low to provide Russian scientists with the tools they need to compete with international universities.

Source: University World News