Abstract
This article analyzes the activities of the largest university in China in the 1920 to 1940s - the Harbin Polytechnic Institute (HPI), established by Russian emigrants to maintain the Chinese Eastern railway (CER). The fates of CER and HPI were closely associated. The establishment of the Institute was initiated and supported by the railway administration, which provided a building in Harbin and offered substantial funds for the maintenance of HPI. In turn, the Institute trained personnel for the railways and construction projects in Manchuria. The article places the history of the Institute in the context of the history of Manchuria and Russian-Chinese relations. Over its history of nearly one hundred years the Institute repeatedly changed its name. The turns in the political situation in China also led to changes in the governing structure of the Institute, in its educational activities and its teaching personnel. The present research builds on a broad historiographical and source base, including memories of graduates of the Institute, items from the Harbin press, and unpublished archival documents. Documents of the Board of CER, reports, personal files of teachers shed light on issues including the Institute’s corporate academic culture, its student composition, the organization of the educational process, and its sources of funding, as well as the USSR’s pragmatic approach towards the Institute. Established in 1920, the Institute survived several crises. The present case study reveals the role of higher education in strengthening Russian-Chinese relations and cultural diversity of China. In conclusion, the HPI made an important contribution to the preservation of national identity among the Russian youth in China and supported their adaptation. At the same time, it is fair to say that the Institute, and hence Russian emigrés, made a significant contribution to the establishment of a system of higher education in China.
Highlights
Интерес к «восточной ветви» российской эмиграции и ее учебным заведениям продиктован присутствием многочисленного населения бывшей Российской империи в Китае, и прежде всего в Маньчжурии, своеобразием его правового положения, особенностями организации русской жизни, взаимоотношений с местным населением и властями
This article analyzes the activities of the largest university in China in the 1920 to 1940s – the Harbin Polytechnic Institute (HPI), established by Russian emigrants to maintain the Chinese Eastern railway (CER)
The establishment of the Institute was initiated and supported by the railway administration, which provided a building in Harbin and offered substantial funds for the maintenance of HPI
Summary
Харбинский политехнический институт – центр русской науки и образования в Китае (1920–1950-е гг.). Аннотация: Статья посвящена истории Харбинского политехнического института (ХПИ) – крупнейшего высшего учебного заведения Китая в период 1920–1940-х гг., созданного русскими эмигрантами для поддержания работы Китайско-Восточной железной дороги (КВЖД). В свою очередь, институт готовил кадры для железной дороги и строительства в Маньчжурии. В ходе исследования авторы приходят к выводу о том, что Харбинский политехнический институт, основанный в 1920 г., пережив несколько кризисов, доказал свою жизнеспособность и сыграл важную роль в деле укрепления двусторонних связей и развития культурного разнообразия Китая. Институт способствовал сохранению национальной идентичности русской эмигрантской молодежи, ее адаптации и внес значительный вклад в становление системы высшего образования Зарубежной России и Китая. Харбинский политехнический институт – центр русской науки и образования в Китае (1920–1950-е гг.) // Вестник Российского университета дружбы народов.
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