Lomonosov Moscow State University
Lomonosov Moscow State University is the leading Russian research and educational centre and the oldest Russian university founded by Empress Elisabeth I of the House of Romanov in 1755 at the proposal of the members of the Imperial Academy of Sciences and Fine Arts, Mikhail V. Lomonosov, and Ivan I. Shuvalov, the first Russian Minister of Education. More than 60 Russian institutions of higher education trace their history back to Lomonosov MSU. The majority of all 26 internationally renowned Russian scientific societies and 9 associations were founded on the basis of Lomonosov MSU. In 2009, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed the Federal Law On Lomonosov Moscow State University. The law enables Lomonosov MSU to establish its own education standards and requirements, hold extra admission examinations, and issue its own diplomas equal in status to the government standard documents. In 2010, Lomonosov MSU, under the auspices of the Government of the Russian Federation, adopted a development programme for the period 2010 through 2020. The programme encompasses a wide range of scientific research, viz. space exploration and space technologies, biotechnologies, nanotechnologies and bionanosystems, research into advanced materials, energy efficiency and alternative energy sources, geophysics, strategic IT, cognitive science and research into humanitarian bases for national and global processes.
Today, as well as back in the times of the Russian Empire and during the Soviet era, Lomonosov Moscow State University is the fundamental element of the scientific and educational system and the driving force behind the national policy on education and scientific research. Many alumni of Lomonosov MSU form the elite cadre of Russian and many other countries managers who organize the processes of innovative scientific, economic, and social development. Traditionally, most of them are political leaders and heads of federal and regional government agencies. For example, Mikhail Gorbachev, the first President of the Soviet Union, is an alumnus of Lomonosov MSU. The mission of Lomonosov MSU is to strengthen the Russian education system on the basis of a balanced innovative development while preserving the national educational identity, leadership in conducting ultramodern scientific research, and training of specialists by developing their fundamental knowledge and skills to high practical competencies. From day one, Lomonosov MSU has been committed to academic freedom and conveying democratic principles to international social processes.
Foundation year: 1755
Short name: Lomonosov MSU
Type: Public
Students: 29060
Faculty: 4020
Faculty/Students Ratio: 7:1
Region: Europe
Location: Moscow
