Doktor nauk (Doctor of Sciences): The highest academic degree conferred upon persons already holding the academic degree of kandidat nauk (PhD) after they have defended their doctoral dissertations in public and have gained recognition of the fact that their dissertations represent original and outstanding contributions to science. The degree of doktor nauk (Doctor of Sciences) is awarded by the decision of VAK Rossii (the Highest Qualification Committee of Russia) upon the recommendation of the Dissertation Council of the higher education institution concerned.

 

Reference: Mutual Recognition of Qualifications: the Russian Federation and the Other European Countries, EUROPEAN CENTRE FOR HIGHER EDUCATION, 2000.