Irkutsk State University has once again been included in the annual National Universities Ranking compiled by the Interfax Information Group. For the 2024/2025 academic year, the ranking featured 389 leading Russian universities, including all institutions with federal, national research, and flagship university status. ISU is ranked 47^th (52^nd last year).

Universities’ activity was evaluated in accordance with six parameters: Brand; Education; Research; Social Environment; Collaboration with Academic Institutions, Business and Governmen; Innovations and Technology Entrepreneurship.

Each parameter is assessed using several indicators.

• For example, the «Education» parameter, in which ISU leads among Irkutsk universities included in the ranking, remains steady at 70^th-72^nd place, as in the previous year. This parameter is evaluated based on the range of Bachelor’s and Specialist’s degree programs offered, the organization of internships and the university’s work with schools and schoolchildren.
• ISU also ranks highest among Irkutsk universities in the «Brand» indicator, entering the top 50 (38^th place).

The university brand includes the combined values of the institution (both academic and corporate culture) communicated to the target audience according to the university’s mission. The assessment was based on five indicators: the so-called «Elite Selection» which analyses the achievements (career, projects, research) of graduates and staff in public administration, business and academic field; communication with target audience; media activity; the perception of the university’s research by both international and Russian-speaking academic communities.

• In the “Social Environment” parameter ISU remains in the top 50, raising up to the 32^nd place (37^th last year).

This parameter was assessed using five indicators: average salaries of academic staff, continuous education, campus quality, participation in the development and implementation of socio-economic development programs at the national, regional and municipal levels, and the development of the university’s social sphere.

• In the “Innovations and Technology Entrepreneurship” parameter ISU went ten positions up compared to last year, moving from 72^nd to 62^nd place.

Evaluations were based on questionnaires completed by university administrations, publicly available data on university websites and Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation resources, as well as data from the SPARK database and the SCAN system.