Iakov Sverdlov Communist University

The Sverdlov Communist University (Russian: Коммунистический университет имени Я. М. Свердлова) was a school for Soviet activists in Moscow, founded in 1918 as the Central School for Soviet and Party Work. After the death of the Bolshevik leader Yakov Sverdlov, the institution was named after him. Its founding rector was Vladimir Nevsky. History In July 1918, courses for agitators and instructors were established in Moscow under the All-Russian Central Executive Committee. In January 1919, the courses were transformed into the School of Soviet Work. On its basis, by order of the 8th Congress of the Russian Communist Party (b), the Central School of Soviet and Party Work was established, renamed in July 1919 into the Communist University named after Y. M. Sverdlov. The curriculum was more concerned with the speedy training of party militants rather than in developing any depth of knowledge. Many of the intakes had had little formal education however literacy was an entry requirement. However there was a Rabfak attached where prospective entrants could receive some preparatory education. Sverdlov was working on developing these courses at the time of his death. When it opened several weeks later on 1 June 1919, it was named in his honour. The main reason for the creation of the institution was the delivery of the "Short Courses" which could be completed in 10–14 days. These were concerned with basic training in propaganda work.