Ural State Technical University (UPI, USTU-UPI): history. Ural Federal University named after the first President of Russia B.N. Yeltsin

The Ural Federal University named after Yeltsin (modern UrFU, former USTU, UPI) is a large educational institution of Russia located in Yekaterinburg. Today it has about 40 thousand students, 2 thousand teachers. The university has a rich history. It began in 1920. Let's take a closer look at what events the current university has experienced.

At the origins of creation

The need for qualified specialists in mining business arose in the Urals in the XVIII century before the abolition of serfdom in the country. Industry was concentrated in the area. Some of the workers working here included foreigners. To eliminate the shortage of personnel near the end of the XVIII century, a mining school was opened in Petersburg. It trained engineers for the factories and mines of the Urals. The problem with the specialists was solved, but one minus was noticed - the personnel were prepared in isolation from the production practice.

In the XIX century, several mining schools were opened in the Urals, and at the end of the century they began to discuss proposals for opening a technical university. Several projects have been put forward, but not one of them has been implemented. At the beginning of the 20th century, the mining crisis in the Urals was adversely affected by the economic crisis. Due to the difficult situation, factories were closing down and new construction was being stopped.

Economic recovery came in 1910. Industry began to recover, the number of proposals to create a technical university in the Urals increased. The event associated with the founding of the institution occurred in 1920. An educational organization began to function, from which the Ural State Technical University (UPI) was to grow in the future.

Ural State Technical University

The formation of the university in the period from 1920 to 1940

The early years of the school were quite difficult. One of the main problems was financial difficulties. The Soviet government did not have the means to develop higher education. In the 1920s, measures were taken to rationalize the network of educational institutions. As a result of this, only technical specialties and faculties remained at the university. For this reason, in 1925 the university was renamed the Ural Technical Institute.

In 1930, the educational institution was divided into 10 small, highly specialized institutions, close to certain enterprises. This was done in order to improve training, but this plan failed. Technical colleges (as these educational institutions were called at that time) had a weak material base. In 1934, some of them were merged into an industrial institute. It became a multidisciplinary educational institution, in which there were 7 faculties, 31 specialties.

War years

The future Ural State Technical University (UPI), which was called the industrial institute in the prewar years, built the main buildings in the 30s and equipped laboratories. In the early 40s, the institution was already considered one of the largest technical educational organizations in the country, a forge of engineering personnel for Siberia and the Urals. All this in an instant crossed out the outbreak of the Great Patriotic War. The university was in difficult conditions. First, the institute created units of universal military training, organized courses for the training of nurses and sandwiches.

In the future, the university set a goal - to implement high-quality and accelerated training of specialists who needed the rear, factories engaged in the production of ammunition, tanks. Studying was difficult:

  • four-shift classes were introduced, which were held in poorly heated buildings;
  • vacation periods were reduced;
  • correspondence and evening studies were canceled.

ugtu upi

The end of the war and the post-war period

With all the tests, the Ural State Technical University (UPI, Yekaterinburg), called the Industrial Institute, coped. In 1945, the Great Patriotic War ended with the victory of the USSR. The news of the defeat of the enemy by an explosion of joy burst into the educational institution. This event served as a starting point for a new period in the history of the institution.

In the postwar years, the country began to rise from devastation. The restoration and construction of enterprises began, the demand for qualified specialists increased. In 1948, the Ural Industrial Institute was renamed the Polytechnic University. Kirov. This event defined the profile of an existing institution. In subsequent years, the university developed, new faculties, departments, and specialties opened.

Entering the number of leading universities in the country

Around the 60s of the previous century, the Ural Polytechnic Institute became one of the leading higher educational institutions of the country. The number of people who want to study here has increased. Several people claimed the 1st place. Admission to graduate school has increased. In connection with the changes taking place in life, disciplines and the educational process improved, technical teaching aids and programmed control began to be introduced.

In 1969, the Ural Polytechnic Institute formed a working faculty. The preparatory courses at the institute have opened. Correspondence courses, a correspondence physical and mathematical school on a voluntary basis were also created. Training television has also begun to be introduced. It became one of the main forms of teaching in the first three courses of correspondence and evening education.

Ural Polytechnic Institute

A new period in development

An important event that marked the beginning of a new period in the history of the university occurred in 1992. The institution has changed its status and name. The institute became known as the State Technical University (USTU). Specialties have opened diverse. Appeared such as the "World Economy", "Technology of artistic processing of materials", "The rational use of natural resources and the protection of the environment", etc.

Since the change of status, the Ural State Technical University (UPI) has begun to gradually transition to a multi-stage education system. This means that at some faculties began to carry out training of bachelors and masters. A few more important events date back to 2008 and 2010. In 2008, the educational organization was named after the first President of the Russian Federation. In 2010, the Ural State Technical University (UPI) named after B.N. Yeltsin merged with the university named after A. M. Gorky. As a result, UrFU was formed.

Ural State Technical University UPI Yekaterinburg

Modern period

UrFU, currently existing, is one of the best universities in our country. The educational organization holds high positions in national ratings. A huge number of Russian and foreign students study in it. There are about 400 educational programs, and over 7 thousand budget places.

UrFU does not plan to rest on its laurels. In the future, he intends to create a scientific, educational and innovation center in the Ural Federal District. The core of all this will be the university. This will allow you to gain leadership in many areas, to become one of the leading educational centers in the world.

Ural State Technical University UPI named after BN Yeltsin

University specialties

UrFU (former Ural State Technical University, UPI) in accordance with the current certificate of state accreditation conducts activities in 37 enlarged groups of professions, areas of training for undergraduate studies. Here are some of them:

  • mechanics and mathematics;
  • information and computer sciences;
  • astronomy and physics;
  • architecture;
  • radio engineering, electronics and communication systems;
  • chemical technology;
  • nanomaterials and nanotechnology;
  • management and economics;
  • psychological sciences, etc.


In conclusion, it is worth noting that UrFU (formerly USTU, UPI) is now a university that the Urals and all of Russia can be proud of. The educational organization has several branches in various Russian cities that implement higher education programs. Also available in the structure of the University is the Nizhny Tagil Engineering College. Students are trained in it in secondary vocational education programs.

All Articles