The 125th Anniversary of Riga Polytechnic Institute (RPI) was celebrated very widely. The solemn sitting took place in the assembly hall of the University, while the evening of rest for employees, students and guests took place in the Political Education House of the Central Committee of the Latvian Communist Party (at present – Riga Congress Centre).
Before the anniversary, already on 14 July, the Council of Ministers of the Latvian SSR established the Paul Walden Award of a graduate of Riga Polytechnicum, the winners of which received the medal of outstanding chemist created by Jānis Strupulis. Every two years, two prizes were awarded: one for outstanding achievements in chemical science and the other for research into the history of science.
In honour of the anniversary, the USSR Ministry of Communications issued an envelope with a picture of RPI main building, the artist Jānis Strupulis made a university commemorative medal and various badges were also made. The events also took place in separate departments.
Throughout October, the exhibition «RPI – 125» was on display at Riga Technical House at 35 Gorkija (at present – K. Valdemāra) Street. A photo gallery of former rectors and prominent professors was created in the lobby of the university opposite the rector’s office. Mountaineers, led by Assistant Professor Teodors Ķirsis, for the first time reached unexplored mountain passes in the Pamir Mountains and named it by the name of name of the inventor of the engineering Friedrich Zander, who in the 125th Anniversary of RPI celebrated his 100th Anniversary.