For the First Time Samara University Has Entered the Subject Ranking of THE in Computer Science

Samara National Research University entered the International Subject Ranking, annually compiled by the British edition Times Higher Education (THE). This study is considered to be one of  three most influential global rankings of universities in the world – THE World University Rankings, and it also publishes a number of regional and special rankings.

This year, Samara University confirmed its position in the Subject Ranking of THE World University Rankings 2019 by subject: Engineering & Technology, where universities that have outstanding world-class competencies in Engineering and Technology are evaluated. Samara University is located in the group of universities, ranked from 401 to 500 in this direction.

In addition, for the first time the university has entered the Subject Ranking of THE World University Rankings 2019 by subject: Computer Science, where the best universities in the field of Computer Science are evaluated. Experts included the university into the group of those, ranked from 501 to 600.

According to Vice-Rector for Educational and Foreign Affairs Vladimir Bogatyrev, the university has been included into the ranking by the subject of Computer Science due to the dynamics shown in one of its key areas of development –  nanophotonics, advanced Earth remote sensing technologies (ERS) and intelligent geo-information systems. The direction of the same name is one of three strategical academic units (StrAU-3), which the university develops according to the roadmap as a participant in the “5-100” Russian Academic Excellence Project.

“StrAU-3 is based on the achievements and dynamics of the internationally recognized scientific school “Computer Optics, Image Processing and Geoinformatics” under the leadership of Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Samara University President Victor Soifer. – notes Vladimir Bogatyrev. – Computer Science in this case acts as an application to aerospace technology – the calling card of the university”. Samara University has its own group of satellites in orbit, working on the “AIST” platform. Using satellite remote sensing data, university scientists create mobile applications and information services used by partner enterprises for environmental monitoring, disaster relief, urban planning, real estate appraisal, agriculture, navigation, and the transport system. Work on the request of industrial partners and power structures naturally led to an increase of university incomes from the commercial use of research results in this area.

According to his opinion, the inclusion of the university into THE World University Rankings 2019 by subject: Computer Science indicates that competences in the field of Computer Science are recognized at the international level. As part of the development of StrAU-3 foreign scientists were involved into the work of the laboratory. Their effective work has already allowed to increase the publication activity of the university, as well as to increase the number of citations.

The results have been also produced by the decision to launch new master programmes in Computer Science not only in Russian, but also in English. This step allowed to attract master’s students not only from other Russian universities, but also from abroad. The secret is that these programmes are applied and focused on the development of specific software products. Graduates of one of such programmes –  “Space Geoinformatics” – are in demand by the companies of the space industry and IT industry, engaged in the development and operation of remote sensing systems, as well as geographic information systems. The breakthrough and inclusion into the ranking have also been provided by new joint programmes of the university with relevant foreign companies. Among them there is the master's programme “Enterprise Application Development and Architectural Design” implemented jointly with Haulmont – English IT-company, engaged in the professional production of custom software.

“At the recent meeting of the Presidential Council on Science and Education Vladimir Putin stated on the tasks of implementing scientific developments into life to improve the quality of people’s life, on ecological improvement of territories, effective digital solutions in all spheres, and ultimately, on the increase of the defense capability of our country. The scientific school of Academician Soifer is a vivid example of the applied results of scientific achievements for the benefit of the inhabitants of our country”, – concluded Vladimir Bogatyrev.