Independent University of Moscow - legit or bogus?

I received the following query from a colleague. I can't find any information on this place and the name is suspiciously similar to the International University in Moscow (which is recognized and accredited). Does anyone have information on the Independant University of Moscow?



We have recently received a transcript from the Independent University of Moscow. I have not been able to find any information that would show me that this is a recognized university in Russia.

The student took the "Math in Moscow" course offered through this university and it claims to have had quite a few students from Canadian Institutes. Can anyone tell me if this school is accredited or if you know anything further about this school?

http://www.mccme.ru/mathinmoscow/

 

It is unaccredited, state-licensed educational institution that apparently tries to perpetuate the tradition of Soviet "elite" mathematical education, mainly (exclusively?) in the pure maths. To my semi-trained mathematical eye, courses look very rigorous - easily on par with best accredited schools (or better). The list of faculty looks more than impressive (AFAIK, for example, Dr. Vladimir Arnold is nothing short of a legend in differential equations, author of both famous results and classic textbooks). The majority of professors also work elsewhere (mostly Moscow State U. and institutes of RAS). I suspect the majority of their "undergraduate-level" students are also concurrently enrolled elsewhere, if only for legal benefits (immunity from army draft).

They publish a journal distributed by the AMS (Moscow Mathematical Journal, http://www.ams.org/distribution/mmj/), wich, again, to me as a non-mathematician looks like high quality and active peer-reviewed quarterly. They also held an international conference or two and maintain lively international contacts. Recognition of credit for foreign exchange students is apparently up to their respective university.

IMHO - highly credible institution of (rightly) limited scope.

 

P. S. Note differences between this university and much-discussed WIDU. No misleading claims of recognition. No hype. Purposedly limited scope, both educationally and geographically (all pure maths, all in Moscow). No self-invented "titles". Real signs of intellectual life. Service component - education for high school students, participation in Math Olympiads, publishing. It is apparently free for Russians (Math in Moscow program is for fee and expensive). In short, real scientists doing real work. Unlike SOME "schools". Again, I'm impressed, and a little jealous.