On December 14, Isidro F Aguillo, the head of the research group Cybermetrics Lab (Webometrics), the main editor of the Webometrics ranking, has conducted a master-class “Metrics 2.0: Preparing for the new generation of rankings” in MEPhI, where he presented results of activities of Russian universities on the Internet, and also gave practical tips for improving these indicators.
The first thing to which Isidro Aguillo drew participants’ attention was a global development of open access initiatives, when anyone can benefit from high-quality research results. This trend consists of opening access to information to the third party, formal and informal communication of scientists, exchange of knowledge and technology. “So far, our scientists and professors live in an ivory tower, without any contact with the outside world. But they need to come out”, the main editor of the Webometrics commented on one of the main components of the open science.
Moreover it’s needed to change the approach to the understanding of research results. Now it's not only published articles and their citation, although they remain to be an integral and extremely important component, but the outcome, the effect that this research has on society. The impact factor of the journal or contribution of a specific article is becoming rather limited approach. Instead, Isidro Aguillo proposed to concentrate on the profile of the University in general and of scientists in particular. And the profile of a particular person is not only the number of his articles or journals in which they are published, and its citation, but also additional information about the author, his connection with the outside world – scientists, research centres and universities. And, of course, the profile should include the specific results of the work. All information should be diversified, at least bilingual, linked to the outside world, and what is most importantly – open and easily accessible.
Also Isidro Aguillo recommended to create the repository, which will accommodate all important documents. It should be one of the main treasures of the University. The head of the Webometrics noted the undoubted importance of branding and originality of everything that is connected with it: “You have a unique University, and its online presence should also be unique”.
On the same day the chief editor of the world ranking of Universitys’ websites Webometrics Isidro Aguillo took part in the meeting of the Academic Council of MEPhI.
Opening the event the rector of MEPhI M.N. Strikhanov commented on the current position of the University in Webometrics and noted main things that should be done to increase its competitiveness via activity on the Internet.
“We have to understand that we need to change a lot to achieve a positive global result. For a long time MEPhI was closed University, so it is harder for us than, for example, European universities to immediately become recognizable and competitive in the global space”, he said. “Today we need to work not for the short term, but for the next 10-15 years”.
Then the chief editor of the Webometrics Isidro Aguillo addressed to the audience. He delivered greeting words from the President of the National Research Council of Spain, Professor Emilio Lora-Tamayo, expressing hope for future fruitful cooperation.
In his speech, Isidro Aguillo noted incredible possibilities that the human has received with the development of the Internet. Now everyone can get information on any subject, which previously was not available to him. “I am glad to be a part of this information revolution. And I encourage you to join it, to share your knowledge, your opinion with the rest of the world. And my goal is to help you in this initiative”.
At the end of the meeting by a unanimous decision of the Academic Council MEPhI rector M.N. Strikhanov handed Isidro Aguillo a gown and the diploma “Honorary doctor of MEPhI”.
