Omsk SAU in the Impact Ranking-2024

Updated data from THE Impact Rankings on the contribution of universities towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Omsk SAU holds the leading position among agricultural universities in the Russian Federation and demonstrates excellent results in meeting the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): 1 «Poverty Eradication», 2 «Hunger Eradication» and 17 «Partnerships for the SDGs»).

The significance of SDG 1 indicates the university's commitment to supporting vulnerable and low-income groups in society, as well as its efforts to reduce poverty within its region and the country as a whole by providing accessible and high-quality education for all segments of society.

According to SDG 1, the Omsk State Agrarian University has received the highest score compared to other Russian agricultural universities, demonstrating an improvement in its performance relative to the THE Impact Ranking 2023. In the most recent edition of the ranking, Omsk SAU has improved its position, scoring 43.5 points (compared to 23.3 points in 2023).

At Omsk State Agrarian University, individuals from all socio-economic backgrounds can access high-quality educational opportunities in 12 broad areas of study. Omsk SAU students develop the skills necessary not only for successful employment in agribusiness and entry into the public service, but also for entrepreneurship. This is made possible through the university's comprehensive support system for students.

Students of SAU may be eligible for a variety of financial assistance, including:

- State Academic Scholarships;

- State Social Scholarships;

- Enhanced State Academic Scholarships;

- Increased State Social Scholarships for first- and second-year students achieving academic excellence;

- One-time Financial Support;

- Personal Scholarships, such as those awarded by the rector or regional partners.

The comprehensive support system for students at Omsk State Agrarian University encompasses a range of initiatives, including one-time monetary assistance, the organization of cultural, sports, and recreational activities for students, as well as the provision of sanatorium and resort services and/or rehabilitation programs for student well-being.

The SDG2 reflects the university's commitment to eradicating hunger, ensuring food security, and promoting healthy diets. It also highlights the university's role in fostering sustainable agricultural practices. In terms of SDG indicators, Omsk SAU proudly ranks second among Russian agricultural institutions.

Omsk SAU places a special emphasis on the issues of food security and improved nutrition in the context of sustainable agricultural growth. The university's scientific priorities include:

·      biotechnology of specialized dairy products;

·      breeding and genetics of crop plants;

·      antioxidant properties of functional foods;

·      fertility restoration in field crop rotations in the forest-steppe region of Western Siberia;

·      adaptive breeding of crops for symbiotic nitrogen fixation;

·      breeding and seed production of vegetables;

·      improved cultivation techniques for grain and legumes, etc.

The university is actively involved in scientific research in various fields, with a particular focus on areas that contribute to the achievement of SDG2. These efforts include the development of advanced technologies and the training of highly skilled professionals.

To ensure the operation of scientific schools, the university has established a research base that includes the International Breeding and Genetics Center, which combines the S.I. Leontiev Educational and Scientific Laboratory for Breeding and Seed Production of Field Crops and the Scientific and Educational Laboratory of Genetics of Grain Crops. Additionally, there is an Educational and Experimental Farm (Educational and Experimental Field, Educational and Scientific Production Laboratory "Gardening", Educational Laboratory "Botanical Garden", Educational and Scientific Laboratory for Diagnostics of Mineral Nutrition and Quality of Agricultural Crops, and Educational and Scientific Laboratory of Perennial Crops «A.D. Kizyurin Garden»). Furthermore, as part of the implementation of a winning project from the eighth mega-grant competition of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation, a laboratory on grain quality assessment at the world-class level has been established at Omsk State Agrarian University.

During the reporting period, the research teams of the university were awarded patents for three novel varieties of wheat, a process for the production of sugar cookies, a technique for creating a bean-based product akin to tofu cheese, a methodology for manufacturing vegetable milk, and a recipe for a creamy dessert.

The SDG 17 assesses the university's collaboration with foreign countries, governmental and nongovernmental organizations, civic and scientific communities, and the private sector in pursuit of sustainable development objectives. It is noteworthy that among the Omsk universities assessed in the THE Impact Ranking 2024, Omsk SAU holds the top position in this regard.

*The Impact Ranking 2024 evaluated the performance of universities in the year 2022.