TRAINING OF SPECIALISTS WITH HIGHER EDUCATION FOR THE SOVIET ATOMIC PROJECT

Abstract

Former “closed” topic, the Soviet atomic project evokes a strong research interest as a bright example of solving major scientific, technical and industrial problems within the command economy in the shortest possible time and with the most fruitful concentration of financial, material, technical and human resources. The specific personnel policy (including education) was one of the important components of the atomic project success. This study is devoted to the period from 1945 - the end of the 1950th when the system of training of specialists with higher education for the Soviet atomic project was taking shape. The institutionalization of the “atomic” education system around the country is considered for the first time in the historiography. Its formation is analyzed by the example of central and regional universities crucial for the project (Moscow Engineering Physics Institute, Moscow and Leningrad State Universities, Ural Polytechnic Institute). The article reveals the difficulties and ways of recruiting students and lecturers, curriculum and courses development. Quantitative and qualitative data on the “atomic” students training are given in dynamics. The article raises the question about the significance of the “atomic” education system for the atomic project, domestic industry and Soviet higher school, as well as about the reasons for its effectiveness.