Globalization and Internationalization of Education: Challenges of Preserving National Identity and The Quality of Specialist Training

Abstract

The accelerated internationalization of higher education introduces a critical pedagogical dichotomy: aligning academic frameworks with global standards while safeguarding national cultural identity. This study quantitatively and qualitatively evaluates the didactic mechanisms required to resolve this tension within the evolving higher education system of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Utilizing a mixed-methods empirical design involving 850 undergraduate students and 120 faculty members, the research analyzes the integration of "glocalized" curricula—programs that fuse international professional competencies with national axiological (value-based) modules. Empirical data demonstrate that this strategic pedagogical synthesis increases students' global competitiveness indices by 27.4% while simultaneously maintaining a high cultural resilience score (88.5%). The dynamics of the observed outcomes indicate that internationalization does not necessitate cultural assimilation. Conversely, a purely protective, isolated educational model severely degrades the quality of specialist training. Implementing a dual-focus academic architecture ensures that the preservation of national identity and the elevation of global professional standards function as mutually reinforcing paradigms, guaranteeing the formation of highly qualified, culturally grounded specialists.