On January 21, Russia celebrates Postgraduate Student Day. Since it is also celebrated in a number of foreign countries, where the higher education system was built on the principles laid down in the USSR, this holiday has acquired international status.
The date of celebration of International Postgraduate Day is associated with the publication of documents of the Council of People's Commissars of the RSFSR regulating the system of training scientists. These documents were called «Regulations on scientific workers of universities» and «Instructions on the procedure for training scientists at research institutes and universities in applied, exact and natural sciences». Both documents were released on January 21, 1925.
It is clear that over time they were subject to revision, adjustments and additions, however, it was they who determined the foundations of the system of training scientists in the USSR.
Postgraduate studies were actually established by these documents, although the first step towards its organization was taken by the People's Commissariat for Education back in 1923. Then, by its Regulations, the People's Commissariat of Education regulated the possibility for individual students to continue working in institutes to prepare them for further scientific and teaching activities in universities.
This date – is January 21, 1925 – and was taken as the basis for choosing the date for celebrating Graduate Student's Day.
Postgraduate studies become the first step towards the development of man as a future scientist. This is the – first stage of a scientific career, which lays the foundations of scientific knowledge, shapes the specifics of the thinking of the future scientist and the nature of future scientific activity.
The holiday began to be celebrated not so long ago, in 2008, and so far it is unofficial, but in the scientific community it is becoming increasingly widespread, gaining popularity among both graduate students and teachers of universities and research institutes.
Traditionally, the holiday is celebrated in the scientific community, timed to coincide with it, in addition to festive events, scientific seminars, conferences, and exhibitions. Often, as part of the celebration, awards are given to scientists and researchers for their merits. The media, especially printed publications of universities, are also trying not to deprive the new holiday of attention.
Another interesting coincidence is that the holiday actually takes place on the eve of Student Day, celebrated on January 25. After all, a graduate student is essentially a – recent student.