MECHANISMS FOR DEVELOPING PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PEDAGOGICAL COMPETENCIES OF HIGHER EDUCATION LEADERS AND EDUCATORS IN UZBEKISTAN

Аннотация

Building the psychological (e.g. emotional intelligence, resilience, self-efficacy) and pedagogical (teaching and leadership) competencies of university faculty and administrators is critical for education reform. Uzbekistan has embarked on ambitious higher education reforms and teacher-centred pedagogy shifts. Drawing on educational psychology and leadership theory (e.g. self-efficacy theory, constructivist learning theory, transformational leadership), this study reviews existing programs and approaches in Uzbekistan to develop these competencies. We conducted a comprehensive review of recent academic and policy literature, program reports, and news sources. Results highlight a mix of traditional and innovative mechanisms: (1) formal training seminars and workshops (often on educational psychology, stress management, student- centred pedagogy); (2) mentoring and peer-learning networks (e.g. teacher forums and online communities); (3) digital learning platforms and resources (webinars, virtual professional development portals); and (4) institutional initiatives (national PD centers and qualification frameworks). For example, universities have organized psychologist-led workshops on student behaviour and stress resilience1, while national efforts (often supported by UNESCO and development partners) are creating virtual PD systems and competency frameworks 2. These interventions align with theories emphasizing adult learning, social-emotional skills, and continuous professional growth3. However, systematic evaluation remains limited. We discuss implications for policy: integrating psychological skills training (e.g. emotional intelligence, stress coping) with pedagogical innovation, leveraging digital tools to scale training, and establishing long-term monitoring of competency development4. Overall, the Uzbek experience illustrates both progress and challenges in operationalizing a holisticcompetency-based approach for higher education leaders andteachers5. Keyword: Psychological competencies, Pedagogical competencies, Higher education, Professional development, Uzbekistan education reforms, Educational leadership, Emotional intelligence, Mentoring programs, Digital professional training, Teacher training workshops, Competency-based education, Educational psychology, Adult learning theory, Constructivist learning, Educational policy.