ANALYSIS AND COMPARISON OF DIGITALIZATION PROCESSES IN HIGHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN UZBEKISTAN AND FINLAND

Abstract

This article presents a comparative analysis of the digitalization processes within the higher education sectors of Uzbekistan and Finland, revealing two distinct paradigms shaped by divergent national contexts. Finland’s approach is characterized as an evolutionary, embedded model, where advanced digital infrastructure and tools are seamlessly integrated into a long-established, student-centered pedagogical framework. In contrast, Uzbekistan’s digitalization is a transformative, state-driven project, conceived as a strategic lever for rapid systemic modernization and global integration following a period of relative isolation. The analysis examines the interplay of key drivers, including policy frameworks, infrastructural foundations, pedagogical integration, and governance models. It highlights how Finland’s challenges revolve around the ethical and qualitative refinement of an already mature digital ecosystem, while Uzbekistan’s primary hurdles involve foundational capacity-building, overcoming infrastructural disparities, and fostering a profound cultural shift in teaching practices. The article concludes that while the pathways and immediate objectives differ significantly - with Finland focusing on innovation within excellence and Uzbekistan on accelerated catch-up - both nations ultimately seek to leverage digitalization to enhance educational quality, accessibility, and economic relevance. The comparison underscores the profound influence of socio-economic conditions, historical legacies, and educational philosophy on the enactment of technological change in higher education.