1、 Introduction

The importance of higher education in the 21st century is increasing day by day, and world university rankings have become an important tool for measuring the level of development of higher education. The MosIUR ranking system launched by Russia in 2017 has attracted international attention. In the context of deepening education cooperation between China and Russia, studying MosIUR has reference value for the construction of higher education in China. The MosIUR system has not yet received much attention from the domestic academic community, and foreign research has focused on indicator design and algorithm comparison or comparison of ranking results between different systems. This article will conduct a multi-dimensional and objective analysis of MosIUR, exploring its construction background, methodological principles, differences from the other four ranking systems, the reasons for these differences, existing problems, roles, and values.

2、 Background of Russia's Construction of MosIUR

The background of Russia's construction of the MosIUR ranking system includes external and internal factors. The external factors are mainly due to the shortcomings of the current mainstream ranking system, such as insufficient examination of the social service functions of universities, insufficient examination of education and teaching quality, and subjectivity in ranking methods. The intrinsic motivation involves the particularity of Russia's higher education model, the need for educational quality improvement, geopolitical needs, and considerations of economic benefits. There are significant differences between Russian higher education and European and American education in terms of development foundation, educational culture, and historical inheritance. The current world university ranking system is not conducive to the ranking of Russian universities. Putin instructed the creation of a new world university ranking, aimed at seeking proper evaluation for Russian universities, analyzing the gap with world-class universities, formulating educational development plans, and promoting the development of domestic universities. University rankings are also a symbol of geopolitical positioning, and Russia needs to establish a new ranking system to meet its geopolitical development needs. In addition, world university rankings have become a profitable industry, and establishing a new ranking system will help Russia's education exports and enhance national competitiveness.

3、 The process of building MosIUR

Introduced the construction process of the MosIUR ranking system for Moscow International University. In 2013, Russian President Putin ordered the creation of an autonomous university ranking system. In 2015, the Russian Federation of Principals and the Ministry of Education submitted a draft rating. To ensure the rationality, scientificity, and authority of MosIUR, Russia has invited IREG Observatory experts to participate in the development of methodological principles. IREG Observatory is an authoritative international association of university ranking organizations, and the Berlin Principles have become international guidelines for the construction and operation of university ranking systems. Russia has also invited over 2000 foreign experts to attend a conference of the President's Union to provide suggestions for building MosIUR. In December 2017, MosIUR was officially launched at the proposal of Putin and released its first ranking report. In May 2018, MosIUR was audited by PwC and received international recognition.

4、 Methodological principles for MosIUR construction

The MosIUR ranking system is based on the three missions of universities, determining evaluation indicators and weights. The weight of education and teaching is 45%, scientific research is 25%, and universities and society are 30%. Following the Berlin principle, emphasizing transparency in ranking information and verifiability of data. The use of objective data, including Internet interactive data, is inclusive.

5、 Differences in MosIUR Indicator System and Evaluation Criteria

By comparing and analyzing the indicator settings announced on the official websites of the five ranking systems in 2023, the similarities and differences between MosIUR and other ranking systems were revealed. There is a clear differentiation among the five ranking systems in terms of primary indicators. MosIUR considers the social contribution of universities as an independent primary indicator, while other ranking systems have their own emphasis. For example, THE emphasizes school revenue, U.S. News values scientific research, QS values school reputation, and ARWU focuses on award-winning and highly cited personnel. In terms of secondary indicators, the five ranking systems also have their own emphasis, with little overlap. There are multiple reasons behind the differences in ranking systems, including cognitive differences in higher education, different interpretations of university functions and missions, and considerations of the characteristics and advantages of local university education. The regional bias of the ranking system also affects the ranking results. For example, the improvement of the ranking of Russian universities in MosIUR is mainly due to the setting of their social contribution indicators, the number of students who have won international university competitions, the low weight of research indicators, and the strong strength of Russian higher education itself.

6、 The Contribution and Problems of MosIUR

The MosIUR ranking system measures the abilities of universities in education, research, and social contributions through objective data and effective calculation methods, with Russian characteristics and a positive impact on Russia and the world. It promotes the diversified development of the world university ranking system, helps Russia's higher education reflect and improve, becomes a window for foreign cooperation and exchange, and showcases Russia and other countries' position on the world higher education map. However, MosIUR has problems such as single functionality, limited influence, incomplete parameter data sources, and the need to verify the scientific and rationality of some indicators.

7、 Summary and Prospect

The construction of the ranking system MosIUR for Moscow International University in Russia is based on the shortcomings of the current international ranking system and the special needs of the Russian higher education system, while also being influenced by geopolitical and economic interests. The system is based on the three missions of the university, takes social contribution as an evaluation indicator, and innovatively incorporates Internet interactive data and Chinese data sources. MosIUR complements ranking systems such as THE, QS, U.S. News, and ARWU, and its rationality and scientificity have been internationally recognized. Russian higher education has shown resilience, and MosIUR has practical significance for the construction of its strong country. It remains to be seen whether MosIUR can become a platform for Russia's foreign cooperation in the face of Western sanctions. Chinese universities have significantly improved in the ARWU ranking, with enhanced research capabilities, but weak basic research. The design of university ranking parameters interacts with the construction of higher education, and evaluation indicators have guiding significance for the development of universities. The development of technology will drive the evolution of university rankings, and artificial intelligence, network technology, and other technologies will change the mode of talent cultivation in universities. MosIUR included Internet interaction in the evaluation, which is a constructive attempt combined with scientific and technological development. The university ranking index system should be continuously improved, in line with the characteristics of higher education development, and more scientifically evaluate the value and function of universities.