The 300th Anniversary of Technical Education in Russia

Engineering education in Russia started with organization in Moscow of School for Mathematical and Navigational Crafts. The date of the School foundation should be fixed by the Highest Decree of Emperor Peter the First on January 14th, 1701 (old style) or January 27th (by the new style). In fact, the School started a few months earlier and was housed in Kadashevskaya Sloboda.

From the very beginning one of the teachers was Andrei Danilovich (Henry) Farwhurson, a well-known mathematician and astronomer, professor of the Aberdeen University (Scotland). Farwhurson stayed in Russia for the rest of his life and mastered the Russian language. In this language he wrote books on mathematics, geodesy, cartography, astronomy. He may be lawfully named as the first Russian professor of mathematics. Five months later, in June of 1701 the School was relocated into the building of the Sukharev Tower where classrooms and an observatory had been specially set up.

Soon among the teachers appeared Leonti Magnitzky, son of a peasant from Tver Gubernia, who had himself mastered reading and writing and later graduated from the Slavonic-Greek-and-Latin Academy. In 1703 Magnitzky wrote the famous textbook on «Arithmetics» which covered arithmetic, application of arithmetic and algebra to geometry and trigonometric calculations and tables. The third part of the textbook contained information on sea astronomy, geodesy and navigation. The textbook was in wide use for over 50 years and all Russian sea officers of the epoch were studying with it.

It is known that mathematics, and later physics, were taught at the Slavonic-Greek-and-Latin Academy founded in 1687 in Zaikonnospassky Monastery, situated in Moscow on Nikolskaya Street. The first institution of higher learning in Russia, Kiev Seminary, dates back to the early XVII century. The entire student body of the School was planned to contain 500 people but at certain periods the number reached 700. Children of all social levels were allowed to be enrolled, with the exception of serfs. The study programme went through 3 stages: primary school taught reading, writing and some grammar, secondary classes taught arithmetic, geometry and trigonometry, and the higher (specialized) classes taught geography, astronomy, navigation and other subjects. The School thus comprised elements of both secondary and higher education. Navigators practiced their craft on sea ships. As a means of cultural cultivation, the School had its own theatre where a group of actors invited from Danzig staged and performed plays with students.

The School did not have a fixed term of study. Some students managed to finish the programme in 4 years, while for some it took 13. There were no end-of-the-year exams and students moved from class to class according to their personal performance. The age of the students varied from 15 to 33. The students were stimulated by money allowances. The most affluent or talented were sent to internships abroad. Upon their arrival back home they were subjected to strict examination, sometimes by Peter the Great himself. As early as 1715 the School had trained about 1200 specialists. Its graduates put up an honorable performance in the sea battle of Gangut (1714) where the Russian fleet won its first victory, and were part of the Bering expedition which discovered the straits separating Asia and America. Among the graduates of the School were A. Chirikov who explored the north-western edge of North America, A. Nagaev, S. Malygin, D. Laptev, Admiral N. Senyavin, historian and public figure V. Tatischev, architect I. Michurin, who invented with A. Nartov the wood processing machine, and many others.

Materials collected by the School graduates were used to make the first atlas of the Russian Empire in 1745. In 1715 a part of the higher- programme students and faculty was transferred to Saint Petersburg to become a nucleus of the Maritime Academy founded by Peter the Great. Students of the higher classes took practical training in the fleet and were publicly known as the Sea Guards. Upon completion of the training programme the students were awarded the rank of officers.

The School for Mathematical and Navigational Crafts was liquidated in 1752. Its higher classes were joined with the Maritime Academy which was transformed into Gentry Sea Corps that existed in Saint Petersburg up to 1917. Its graduates contributed many brilliant lines into the history of the Russian Fleet. Among them are outstanding scholars — engineers A. Krylov, I. Bubnov and many others. After the October Revolution the M. Frunze Higher Naval School, still functioning today was founded on its basis and in the same building. Soon following the Navigational School, Artillery and Engineering School, and later, in 1703, Moscow Engineering School for 100—150 students were founded. Sometimes students from this latter school were directed to the School for Mathematical and Navigational Crafts for instruction in arithmetic and geometry.

In 1713 Petersburg Engineering School was organized which in 1723 was combined with the Moscow school. Creation of these schools was the beginning of an all-Russian network of institutions for general education of the first and second levels. The significance of the School for Mathematical and Navigational Crafts for the history of engineering education in Russia is great. It has educated not only naval specialists but also civil engineers, mechanics, architects, as well as specialists of many other professions. It has a full right to be regarded as the first higher technical education institution in Russia, and the date of its foundation — January 14 (or January 24th by new style), 1701 — as the starting date of technical education in Russia.

TEXT AND VOCABULARY EXERCISES

23. Answer the following questions:

1. What did engineering education in Russia start with?

2. Who was one of the teachers in the School for Mathematical and Navigational Crafts?

3. What books did he write?

4. Was Leonti Magnitzky a teacher or a student of the Slavonic-Greek-and-Latin Academy?

5. When did Leonti Magnitzky write the famous textbook on arithmetic?

6. What materials were used to make the first atlas of the Russian Empire in 1745?

7. Did students of the higher classes take any practical training?

8. What happened to the School for Mathematical and Navigational Crafts in 1752?

9. What is the significance of the School for Mathematical and Navigational Crafts for the history of engineering education in Russia?

24. Find in the text the words or phrases which mean the same as:

25. Match each word in A with the Russian equivalent in B:

26. Complete the sentences according to Text 1B:

1. Engineering education in Russia ___.

2. The school started a few months earlier and ___ in Kadashevskaya Sloboda.

3. Farwhurson stayed in Russia and ___ language.

4. In 1703 Magnitzky wrote ___.

5. The textbook was ___ for over 50 years.

6. The study programme went through 3 stages: ___.

7. The school did not have ___ of study.

8. As early as 1715 the school had trained about ___.

Consult the TEXTS FOR SUPPLEMENTARY READING and complete the information about the great Russian scientist M.V. Lomonosov and his contribution to the development of engineering education in Russia (Text 3). Be ready to discuss the information you have read.

28. Read the text below to find answers to the given questions:

Text 1 C

Russia’s Top Universities

1. What requirements do Russia’s top universities have?

2. How is higher education provided?

3. Where are most of Russia’s universities located?

4. What can you say about the foundation and reputation of the best universities?

5. What is known about a new tendency in the sphere of higher education?

Russia’s top universities have very competitive entry requirements, and special entry exams are held each year. Students must apply for studies according to the standard competitive system. Higher education is provided by public and non-public (non-State) accredited higher education institutions. The academic year lasts from September 1 to the middle of June everywhere, with long summer vacations from July 1st to August 31.

Most of Russia’s universities are located in large cities. Moscow State University, which was founded in 1755 and has about 28,000 students and 8,000 teachers, enjoys the highest reputation. The Russian People’s Friendship University in Moscow has about 6,500 students and 1,500 teachers, and St. Petersburg State University has about 21,000 students and 2,100 teachers.

Many Russian universities also offer distance education and provide courses for specific professional needs. However, such systems are usually less developed than in the US and other Western European countries.

TEXT AND VOCABULARY EXERCISES

29. Find in the text the words or phrases which mean the same as: