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DOI: https://doi.org/10.15507/1991-9468.26303.479-497

UDC 657.244.16:378

International Accreditation as a Tool for Integrating Russian Higher Education into the Global Space

Marina А. Izmailova
Dr.Sci. (Econ.), Professor, Professor of the Chair of Corporate Finance and Corporate Governance, Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation (49 Leningradskii Prospekt, Moscow 125993, Russian Federation), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7558-9639, Scopus ID: 57189310428, Researcher ID: F-6838-2017, SPIN-code: 4642-5831, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Tatiana A. Salimova
Dr.Sci. (Econ.), Professor, Director of the Institute of Economics, Professor of the Chair of Quality Management, National Research Mordovia State University (68 Bolshevistskaya St., Saransk 430005, Russian Federation), Expert of the Certification Association “Russian Register”, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4050-2702, Scopus ID: 56303996800, Researcher ID: C-8933-2017, SPIN-code: 1635-1147, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Lyubka Ilieva
Ph.D., Head of the Centre for Educational Quality Assurance, Dimitar A. Tsenov Academy of Economics (2 Em. Chakarov St., Svishtov 5250, Republic of Bulgaria), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7357-9370, Scopus ID: 57734491300, Researcher ID: GWC-9510-2022, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract
Introduction. Russian universities, long established in the global educational space, are currently facing a number of external challenges that require solutions to maintain their role as strategic partners in training modern professionals. One such solution is international accreditation, which confirms the quality of Russian education meets international standards. However, the accumulated empirical experience of Russian universities undergoing international accreditation lacks adequate theoretical understanding. The objective of this study is to analyze the results of international accreditation and develop recommendations aimed at expanding the opportunities for Russian universities to integrate into the global educational space through international accreditation.
Materials and Methods. The empirical basis of this study is analytical data from expert reports, including the authors of this article, participating in international accreditation procedures from 2019 to 2025. The sample included 20 Russian universities that submitted 308 educational programs for international accreditation. The study’s methodology is based on an analysis of universities’ compliance with the standards and methodologies for independent education quality assessment established by the Russian Register Association, which form the basis of the international accreditation process.
Results. Factors influencing the disparity in university participation in international accreditation, which reflects the existing socioeconomic gap between regions, are identified. Strengths of educational programs (formalized Quality Policy, compliance of educational programs with the Federal State Educational Standard, quality of resource provision, etc.) typical for most universities are identified. Areas for improvement and recommendations capable of elevating educational programs to a new level of quality, in line with international standards, are systematized.
Conclusion. International accreditation has the potential to integrate Russian higher education into the global educational community and ensure recognition and trust in the quality of Russian education. A theoretical understanding and empirical substantiation of the accumulated empirical experience of international accreditation of Russian universities will allow university management and educational program directors to see relevant diagnostic cross-sections beyond the monolithic image of international accreditation. This realistic picture of the educational landscape, with identified strengths (vectors for benchmarking) and areas for improvement (red flags for internal audit), as well as proposed recommendations, will enable evidence-based development trajectories and integration of educational programs into the global educational space.

Keywords: international accreditation, educational program, independent assessment of educational quality, integration of Russian education into the global space, adaptation of Russian universities to international requirements

Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

For citation: Izmailova M.A., Salimova T.A., Ilieva L. International Accreditation as a Tool for Integrating Russian Higher Education into the Global Space. Integration of Education. 2026;30(3):479–497. https://doi.org/10.15507/1991-9468.26303.479-497

Authors’ contribution:
M. A. Izmailova – formulation of overarching research goals and aims; conducting a research and investigation process; management activities to produce metadata for initial use and later re-use.
T. A. Salimova – conducting a research and investigation process; specifically visualization; specifically writing the initial draft.
L. Ilieva – management activities to produce metadata for initial use and later re-use; conducting a research and investigation process; specifically critical review.

Availability of data and materials. The datasets used and/or analysed during the current study are available from the authors on reasonable request.

All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.

Submitted 29.01.2026;
revised 02.03.2026;
accepted 10.03.2026.

REFERENCES

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