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'Kandidat nauk' or 'Candidate of Science' () is a first post-graduate scientific degree in the former USSR and in some Post-Soviet and East European countries, awarded for a dissertation (the Doctor of Science is one level higher than the Kandidat). The degree was established on January 13 1934 by a decision of the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR. It corresponded to the Doctor of Philosophy degree (Ph.D.), existing in the USA, the United Kingdom and other countries^[1]. In 1971, 249,200 scientists had the degree . In post-Soviet time it is roughly translated into the Ph.D., but not always recognized internationally as such, and in some official cases an additional certification is requested.
The work on a dissertation is commonly carried out during a postgraduate study period, called 'aspirantura' (). It is performed either within an educational institution (such as a university) or a scientific research institution (such as an institute of the Academy of Sciences network). It may be also carried out without direct relation to Academia. In exceptional cases, the Kandidat degree may be awarded on the strength of the sum of published scientific works.
A necessary prerequisite is passing an examination called ''kandidat minimum'' (). In the Soviet Union, kandidat minimum included exams in the specialist field of the dissertant, in a foreign language of his/her choice and in Scientific Communism. In modern Russia, Scientific Communism is replaced by Philosophy.
The dissertation is presented in accredited educational or scientific institutions before a 'Higher Attestation Commission' or 'VAK' (). The USSR-wide organization was called the "Higher Attestation Commission under the USSR Council of Ministers"; every Soviet republic had its own VAK. The seeker of the degree must have an official "research supervisor" (). The presentation is literally called "defense of dissertation" in Russian. The dissertation must be delivered together with official references of several reviewers, called "opponents" (). In a procedure called the "defense of the dissertation" the dissertation is summarized before the Commission, followed by speeches by the opponents or the reading of their references.

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See Also

★ Education in Russia

References

1. Great Soviet Encyclopedia., , , , Sovetskaya Enciklopediya, ,