Research Quality and THE & QS Rankings: Key Takeaways from the Meeting. SDG 17

On February 17, 2025, at the Faculty of Physics and Technology of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, a meeting was held between the leadership of the Department of Science and Innovation and project leaders from the faculty, as well as representatives of the National Open-Type Nanotechnology Laboratory (NOTNL) and the Research Institute of Experimental and Theoretical Physics (RIETP). More than 20 members of the university's scientific community participated in the discussion.

The meeting focused on strengthening the university’s position in international rankings such as THE and QS and improving the quality of scientific research. Special attention was given to citation metrics as a key indicator of the research performance of faculty members and scientists. Additionally, the significance of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through scientific research and innovation projects was emphasized.

Key Recommendations:

• Publishing with international researchers. Including foreign co-authors enhances the quality of research and increases citation rates.
• Selecting reputable journals. Publishing in Elsevier journals is recommended, as 10% of their articles generate over 40% of citations.
• Using modern equipment. Conducting measurements with advanced equipment improves research quality.
• Updating data in the “Univer” system. Regularly updating researcher profiles and linking publications in databases is essential.
• Aligning research with the SDGs. Developing scientific projects under global goals helps attract international attention and funding.

The discussion actively involved Kodanova S., Muratov M., Partizan G., Kolkozova Zh., Korshikov E., and Peshaya S. The event was held under SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) – international publications and collaborations contribute to global scientific integration.