VolSU ranks top 20 Russian universities in THE Impact Rankings 2021

In order to confront global challenges, the United Nations developed 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015. At the moment, Times Higher Education Impact Rankings is the only in the world that assesses the involvement of universities in the process of achieving global goals.

In 2021, more than 1,100 universities from 95 countries took part in the ranking, which is almost half more than in the previous one. Volgograd State University is the only university in the region included in the ranking and is in the top 20 among 75 Russian universities-participants (8-17 positions). To take part in the ranking, the university must submit data on at least four goals. This year VolSU has taken part in 9 goals at once: Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3), Quality Education (SDG 4), Gender Equality (SDG 5), Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8), Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11), Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (SDG 16), Partnership for Sustainable Development (SDG 17). VolSU took part in two of them for the first time: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (SDG 9) and Climate Action (SDG 13).

The indicators include the number of scientific publications, the volume of scientific research, collaborations with foreign scientists, cooperation with authorities, the availability of education, the role of the university in the development of urban communities, etc.

According to analysts of Times Higher Education, VolSU has traditionally high indicators for the Gender Equality (SDG 5), Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8), Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (SDG 16), Partnership for Sustainable Development (SDG 17).

According to the results, VolSU entered the 401-600 group together with such Russian universities as Tomsk Polytechnic University, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University, the Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia, Russian State Agrarian University - Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy and others.

Thus, the participation of VolSU in the THE Impact Rankings reflects the active involvement of the university in solving international tasks of sustainable development. The high assessment of VolSU by the experts is the evidence of the quality work of Volgograd State University.