Three Russian universities have made the top 100 in this year's Times Higher Education World Reputation Rankings, published Wednesday.

Previously, only Moscow State University and St. Petersburg State University had featured in the top 100 list, compiled each year by British newspaper The Times. They were joined his year for the first time by the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MFTI).

Both Moscow State University (MGU) and St. Petersburg State University (SPGU) saw their ratings slide in 2016.

MGU fell from 25th place to 30th place, while SPGU found themselves within the 81-90 group, down from their position in the 71-81 band last year. MFTI was placed in the 91-100 band.

U.S university Harvard topped the table for the second year in a row, followed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Stanford University in second and third place. Fourth and fifth places were given to the British universities Cambridge and Oxford.

In 2013, Russia implemented the “5-100 project” aimed at improving the competitiveness of leading Russian universities on the world stage. Russian President Vladimir Putin set the ambitious goal of having at least five universities among the 100 best higher education institutions in the world by 2020.

Rector of MFTI Nikolai Kudryavtsev credited the “5-100 project” for the university's first appearance on the list, the Interfax news agency reported.

Three Russian Universities Make Top 100 in World Rankings