Vladimir Filippov, who leads the High Certification Commission under the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, announced that a series of innovations introduced to Russia’s personnel certification system will streamline the process for defending dissertations. The developments were reported by DEA News and are part of ongoing efforts to modernize higher education governance in Russia.
Filippov stated that the VAK, in collaboration with Russia’s Ministry of Education and Science, has put forward multiple significant reforms intended to simplify the work of organizations that establish opposition or defense councils involved in dissertation review. These changes aim to reduce bureaucratic hurdles and improve access to the thesis defense process for doctoral candidates.
According to the commission head, one notable change is the planned reduction in the minimum size of dissertation councils, decreasing from 19 members to a proposed 11. This adjustment is intended to accelerate decision-making in thesis examinations while maintaining oversight and scholarly rigor.
Filippov also highlighted a criterion related to the composition of doctoral committees: among scientists who boast high citation indices, candidates of sciences and individuals with doctoral degrees will be permitted to include up to 25% of such scholars in the panels for doctoral theses. The goal is to leverage distinguished research performers to reinforce the quality and credibility of defenses.
In another shift, the requirements tied to the volume of publications in international databases for scientific degree applications have been relaxed. Under the new framework, it is sufficient for applicants to have works listed on the VAK roster or in recognized Russian publications indexed by the Russian Science Citation Index (RSCI). This change broadens the publication landscape considered acceptable for degree qualifications, reflecting a more inclusive view of scholarly output.
Filippov underscored that these reforms are designed to make the certification process more accessible while preserving academic standards. They align with broader efforts to modernize Russia’s higher education system and ensure it remains competitive in a global research environment.
The reforms come amid broader governmental measures, including a decree signed by former Russian President Vladimir Putin that initiated a pilot project on higher education reform. The decree signals a strategic push to pilot policy changes in higher education, evaluate outcomes, and scale successful practices across institutions. This context helps frame the current changes as part of a larger, state-led modernization program aimed at strengthening research, teaching, and credentialing frameworks.
Analysts note that the practical impact of these innovations will depend on implementation at universities and research centers nationwide. If the reforms are executed with clear guidelines and transparent processes, doctoral candidates may experience smoother defenses and quicker progression through degree requirements. Conversely, rigorous monitoring will be essential to prevent any erosion of standards and to ensure that the quality bar remains high across disciplines.
Ultimately, the announced adjustments reflect a balancing act between efficiency and scholarly integrity. By reconfiguring council sizes, expanding the permissible contributors to doctoral panels, and re-evaluating publication prerequisites, the system aims to support ambitious researchers while keeping the evaluation framework robust. Stakeholders from academic institutions, funding bodies, and policy circles are closely watching how these changes unfold in practice and what they may signal for future reforms in Russia’s higher education landscape.
Note: These updates are reported in association with DEA News, and government statements describe ongoing steps toward more flexible yet accountable certification practices within Russia’s scientific community.