The organizational and mass events as a way to develop the student scientific creativity (1970–1980s)

The organization of students’ research work in the Soviet system of higher education as the example of the organizational and mass events and the experience of the Far Eastern State Transport University is studied. The transformation of student science since the late 1950s from the episodic initiatives into a large-scale government program is considered. The key factors of development of students’ research work (the needs of scientific and technological progress, the need to train creatively minded specialists and the state policy of maximal use of the intellectual potential of students’ youth) are analyzed. There is paid special attention to the competitive forms of organization of students’ research work as an effective mechanism for stimulating the scientific creativity of students.