THE INTEGRATION OF NATIONAL HERITAGE AND MODERN EDUCATION

Abstract

This article examines the integration of national heritage into modern higher education in Uzbekistan, with particular focus on folk arts and traditions as pedagogical resources for student development. Drawing upon theoretical foundations in ethnopedagogy and aesthetic education, the analysis demonstrates how heritage integration serves not merely cultural preservation but constitutes a comprehensive educational strategy for developing students who are both globally competent and deeply rooted in their cultural traditions. The article explores contemporary initiatives including the planned School of Traditional Arts in Tashkent, the transformation of cultural spaces into creative clusters, and the integration of folk arts across humanities curricula at institutions including Samarkand State University and the Uzbek State Institute of Arts and Culture. Multiple pedagogical approaches are examined, including the development of cultural literacy, cross-curricular heritage integration, and practical engagement through performance and creative practice. The analysis identifies significant implementation challenges including educator preparation, curriculum development, and assessment design, while also recognizing opportunities presented by supportive policy frameworks, international partnerships, and the growing creative economy. The article concludes that effective heritage integration requires sustained institutional commitment, pedagogical innovation, and recognition that the ultimate goal is not reproduction of the past but preparation of students who can carry their cultural inheritance forward into contemporary contexts.