Universities and Civilizations

Foreword vii
 
Preface: Elements of Genesis xi
 
Acknowledgements xv
 
Chapter 1. The Origin of a Triptych 1
 
1.1. The sun is shining in Berkeley 2
 
1.2. Fukuyama versus Huntington: the revenge of civilizations in the 21st Century 3
 
1.3. The role of universities in the race for global intellectual leadership 5
 
1.4. Why? Where? How? 8
 
Chapter 2. Why? 15
 
2.1. The purpose of universities 15
 
2.2. International rankings and world academic elite 16
 
2.3. What is the role of a leading university? 18
 
2.4. What are the reasons for the intellectual arms race? 21
 
Chapter 3. Where? 29
 
3.1. The "Big Four" and their methodologies 33
 
3.2. Analysis of the Top 20 37
 
3.3. Analysis of the Top 200 41
 
3.4. Analysis of the Top 1000 48
 
Chapter 4. How? From Russia with 5-100 59
 
4.1. The land of the Tsars, of snow and Doctor Zhivago 59
 
4.2. The Russian excellence initiative: the 5-100 program 60
 
4.3. The results of the 5-100 program in 2019 65
 
4.4. Obstacles to Russian academic excellence 72
 
4.5. Analysis and options: brain, heart and soul 76
 
Chapter 5. Conclusion: Analysis and Perspectives 89
 
5.1. Winners of the race for global academic leadership 90
 
5.2. Europe - Paul Valéry's anticipation 92
 
5.3. Universities for what? Automation, demographics and flow 95
 
5.4. Work and occupation: the need for a political project 103
 
5.5. Western civilization - the judgment of "elementary particles" 104
 
Appendices 107
 
Appendix 1. Huntington's Country - Civilization Dictionary 109
 
Appendix 2. Top 20 Rankings 113
 
Appendix 3. Top 200 Rankings 123
 
Appendix 4. Top 1000 Rankings 141
 
Appendix 5. Continental and Western Europe 155
 
Appendix 6. Europe: 5 + 1 163
 
Notes, Insertions and Tangents

Franck Leprevost is an internationally renowned scientist and Professor at the University of Luxembourg, of which he was Vice-President from 2005 to 2015. His expertise in academic positioning and strategy is sought after by many universities, institutions and governments.