Multi-disciplinarity as a way to strengthen the positions of Russian technical universities in international rankings

Abstract

Subject. The article is devoted to the problem of improving the ranking of the leading Russian technical universities by transforming them into multidisciplinary research universities with the limitation of technical faculties (programs) to 40–50% of the admission plan of entrants. Objectives. The study focuses on improving the position of Russian technical universities in international rankings, providing an opportunity for students to change their specialty or shape it, according to the requirements of the employer. Methods. I analyzed the structure of world-class technical universities in terms of differentiation of specialties and methods of improving the rankings. Results. The analysis shows that the leading positions in international rankings belong to multidisciplinary research universities that provide training and conduct integrated research at the intersection of different sciences. Conclusions. There is a need for gradual reforms of Russian research technical universities, in terms of compliance with global trends in multidisciplinarity, differentiation of funding, and research activities. Such reforms can be carried out in the form of mergers and creation of network structures on the basis of agreements on cooperation between technical universities and research institutes of the Russian Academy of Sciences.