Reforms in Higher Education in the Russian Federation: Implications for Equity and Social Justice

Abstract

The chapter analyses the impact of globalisation and market forces on restructuring of higher education in Russia. The chapter examines major policy reforms and shifts in the higher education sector in the Russian Federation (1996-2014), which resulted in a forced transformation of public universities and the growth of private universities and fee-paying students. The chapter discusses the spectacular growth of private students in state universities, the emerging social inequality and stratification in the higher education sector, and the implications for equity and social justice. The chapter also examines the impact of the internationalisation, rankings (Russia's poor performance in international rankings), accountability, standards and quality.