The Times Higher Education (THE) ranking: St Petersburg University has improved its performance indicators in research and citation

This year's THE WUR ranking includes 138 universities more than last year's. The University, as it was last year, is in the middle of the ranking with traditionally high scores in the performance indicators in teaching and research – 137^th and 332^nd places, respectively. The upward trend is also visible in the citation indicator, especially in relation to the indicator ‘Research productivity’ (the number of publications per scholar), which grew by nine ranking points, and the indicator ‘International collaboration’ (the proportion of a university’s publications that have at least one international co-author), which grew by 4.8 ranking points.

Unlike the Moscow ranking ‘Three University Missions’ and the QS ranking, the THE ranking pays great attention to financial results. These are measured by ‘Institutional income’ (2.25%), ‘Research income’ (6%) and ‘Industry income’ (2.5% of the overall score). The latter indicator is primarily influenced by developments in applied sciences. Currently, the share of software developers, engineers, and chemists involved in applied research and development at St Petersburg University is small: about 4.5%. ‘Over the past three years, we have noted a significant increase in income from such areas as applied geology, engineering mathematics, and the development of new materials science methods. Needless to say, the competition which is increasing every year, including that from our colleagues from Southeast Asia and China, stimulates us to work even more actively in this direction. I am sure that interaction with market leaders, who are also the largest employers, will make it possible for us to ensure a significant increase in the University’s income. This will be reflected in the corresponding indicators of world rankings,’ said Nikolay Kropachev, Rector of St Petersburg University.

It should be remembered that in the Times Higher Education World Reputation Rankings compiled by the same publisher, St Petersburg University has been among the top 100 world universities for several years. This year, St Petersburg University was ranked 91^st in teaching. The ranking compilers take into account the views of members of the academic community and representatives of employers from all over the world.