North-Eastern Federal University improved its presence in the global international ranking Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings 2021. NEFU took the 601-800 position in the world out of 1115 universities worldwide, included in the ranking, and 18-47 position among 75 Russian universities.

The ranking is aimed to determine the impact of universities on the sustainable development of society and contribution to the achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It assesses the achievements of universities against 17 SDGs. Tatiana Volkova, Director of NEFU Department of Strategic Development, noted that every year the university improves its presence in the ranking: “In 2019 we entered the ranking in only five SDGs, last year - 10, this year NEFU became one of the best in the world in 16 goals. Positions in education and gender equality have improved significantly”.

Tatiana Volkova added: “NEFU took the highest positions in two sustainable development goals in 2021, our university is ranked 4th in Russia in the Quality Education category and 5th in the Gender Equality category. It is important to note that we are ranked 76th in the fifth SDG worldwide”.

The overall score in the ranking is calculated by combining the score for SDG 17 and the top three scores for the other Sustainable Development Goals. At the same time, according to NEFU DSD director, the SDG-17 score is 22%, and three SDGs included in the university's ranking are 26%. “Thus, all universities are assessed against different SDGs, depending on development priorities. Ranking metrics require universities to provide evidence for each SDG. Priority is given to the evidence that is public. Evidence is evaluated against a set of criteria and decisions are cross-validated where there is uncertainty,” said Tatiana Volkova.

The number of universities participating in the ranking is increasing every year. In 2019, 450 universities from 76 countries were ranked, including 30 universities from Russia, last year 766 universities from 85 countries, including 47 Russian universities, this year the number of such universities increased to 1,154, including 75 universities from Russia.

Reference:

The rankings of Times Higher Education research group are among the three most influential rankings in the world, along with QS and the Shanghai ARWU Rankings. The methodology was developed in collaboration with THE partners - Elsevier and Vertigo Ventures.