An assessment methodology for the development of higher education in Russia

The paper presents a methodology to assess the status of the higher education (HE) system. A monitoring system for HE in Russia is proposed using the indicative figures grouped in two units. In the first methodological unit entitled “The Conditions of Operation and Status of Infrastructure of the HE System” are included indicators characterising the conditions of financing, human resources, the status of fixed assets and the learning environment in the HE institutions. The second methodological unit entitled “State Educational and Research Activities of the HE System” includes indicators characterising research capacity, the effectiveness of faculty research activities and the educational and research capacity of students of the HE institutions. On the basis of the proposed methodological tools, the status of the HE system of the Ural Federal District is evaluated and classified. The calculations were based on primary statistical data from the Russian Federal State Statistics Service and the Ministry of Education and Science. The analysis conducted over a time period of 12 years has shown that, unfortunately, a direct correlation between the growth of investments and an increase in quality is not observed. The growth rate of financing of regional HE was in some cases several times higher in one region than another, increasing the visibility of the results. It is clear that the leaders in terms of financing and the leaders in terms of improving the quality of education are two different things. This demonstrates the need to reform regulation of HE, particularly with regard to prioritising its development and improving the financial and economic mechanisms required to achieve this. © 2015 Mediterranean Center of Social and Educational Research. All rights reserved