Andrey Chugunov: "The success of the 'GosStart' forum in Nizhny Novgorod is obvious."

      14 November 2025 15:27 Society — Journalist Andrey Chugunov reflects on the obvious success of the "GosStart" forum (12+) in Nizhny Novgorod.

      "Judging by the titles of the tracks of the IV All-Russian forum 'GosStart,' the event is devoted exclusively to personnel issues, namely: the search for, adaptation of, and attraction of young people to civil service work in modern conditions. Therefore the answer to the question posed is simple: universities can provide only theoretical knowledge, not tied to immediate tasks. How can one not recall Goethe's Mephistopheles: 'Theory, my friend, is dry,/ But the tree of life is green' (translation by B. L. Pasternak)."

      Chugunov notes that a simple comparison of a university course and a professional development program — which, in essence, the 'GosStart' program is — confirms the literary character's opinion.

      "If students are taught theory, civil servants are instilled with practical skills. If the former adapt knowledge slowly due to the inertia of the education system, the latter do so much faster, because it is relevant to them. Moreover, motivation in learning depends heavily on its connection to reality: among students it is often low, while among serving civil servants it is much higher," the expert emphasizes.

      "Besides, as statistics show, young people are now more interested in IT, digital professions, and creative fields. Young people value work–life balance and the opportunity for self-realization. A high salary remains an important factor, and increasingly they pay attention to the meaning of work and working conditions. So it is not at all surprising that the 'GosStart' program and similar regional initiatives have appeared and succeeded. After all, it wasn't just to look around that more than 1,000 participants from 80 regions of the country came to Nizhny Novgorod," the journalist concluded.

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