What the "Three University Missions" 2025 Ranking Means for BRICS+ Universities and Business

The ninth global "Three University Missions" ranking has registered the expanded presence of BRICS+ universities in the global academic system. In 2025, 2,000 universities from 112 countries were evaluated, including 156 Russian ones. In Russia, the ranking's results and methodology became the subject of a separate discussion at the Council of Rectors of Russian Universities, as reported by Kommersant Nauka and detailed by Scientific Russia.

The key takeaway for BRICS+ is the institutional legitimation of Global South universities and the enhancement of inter-university cooperation infrastructure. This reduces barriers for businesses seeking partners, talent, and R&D in the region.

What are the key results of the 2025 ranking and the positions of Russian and global leaders?

For the second consecutive year, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) took the lead. Lomonosov Moscow State University retained its 17th place globally, St. Petersburg State University climbed to 47th, and MIPT secured 59th. The 2025 edition features 2,000 universities from 112 countries, with 156 from Russia, as reported by Kommersant Nauka. Regional diversity was also noted, with universities from all federal districts included. Examples include six universities from Tatarstan, with Kazan Federal University (KFU) and Innopolis University ranking consecutively in the global list (512th and 511th, respectively), as Business Online writes.

The top 20 composition has remained largely unchanged for the third year, underscoring the stability of the global hierarchy, while Russian leading institutions maintain their positions in the upper echelon.

What did the ranking reveal about the dynamics of BRICS universities and why is it important?

The share of BRICS universities in the global list has grown from 24% in 2021 to over 32% in 2025, indicating a narrowing gap between the Global North and BRICS, as emphasized by Dmitry Grishankov, head of the Association of Compilers of Rankings.

"The distance between the Global North and BRICS states is shrinking, with many indicators showing positive dynamics for developing countries. The number of BRICS universities represented in the ranking is increasing, partly due to new association partners. While BRICS universities comprised 24% in 2021, they exceeded 32% in 2025."

How is the Russian higher education agenda changing in light of the ranking?

The Council of Rectors of Russian Universities discussed the transition to a new higher education model until 2036, the balance of state-funded places between metropolitan and regional universities, the development of the "Apply to University Online" super-service, and a pilot program for transferable skills and additional Unified State Exams for technology specialties. Simultaneously, the value of the ranking's "third mission"—universities' contribution to society and the economy—was reaffirmed, as highlighted by Scientific Russia. In international cooperation, over the past three years, the Russian Rectors' Union has organized more than 30 rector forums involving over 2,500 university leaders from 40+ countries and facilitated the signing of approximately 450 agreements. The focus on BRICS+ is solidified by a series of forums (Moscow — 2024, support for Brazil — 2025, India — planned for next year).

This links academic rankings with practical implementation: university diplomacy is becoming a channel for expanding real academic and industrial alliances.

What are the practical implications for businesses: where to find partnerships, talent, and R&D in BRICS+?

The primary opportunity is to expand scouting and pilots within BRICS+ universities, given their growing presence in global rankings and the institutionalization of inter-university ties.

The ranking's emphasis on objective metrics (without reputational surveys) and its coverage of all federal districts simplify comparison and partner search both domestically and within BRICS+, as clarified by Kommersant Nauka. Concurrently, the Russian Rectors' Union forums and hundreds of inter-university agreements create ready entry channels for companies, as demonstrated by Scientific Russia.

• R&D Consortia: Joint laboratories and industrial departments at participating universities to solve applied problems (AI, materials, biomedicine).
• Talent Pipelines: Targeted education and internships in regions of presence, focusing on sustainable leaders in their respective clusters.
• Rapid Pilots: Utilizing university testbeds and competencies for agile technology validation with short feedback cycles.
• Geo-expansion: Entering BRICS markets through academic alliances and rector forums as a low-risk entry point.

To what extent is BRICS+ technological cooperation expanding in AI, and what opportunities does this open?

Technological cooperation extends beyond academic lists. Belarus has joined the BRICS AI alliance, and the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly adopted a model law on AI in April 2025, as stated by Sergey Kruglyakov at the 4th Forum "Artificial Intelligence in Belarus."

This accelerates the formation of a compatible regulatory and technological environment, reducing transaction costs for cross-border projects. For businesses, this translates to faster approval of pilots, unified data/ethics requirements, and access to a portfolio of solutions—from medtech to industrial AI systems.

In essence, the "Three University Missions" ranking confirms the institutional strength of BRICS+ universities. Parallel measures—from reforms in the Russian Federation to AI alliances—transform this strength into a cooperation infrastructure. Companies that integrate into this framework now will gain preferential access to talent, research, and markets within BRICS+.