PROSPECTS FOR THE USE OF ELEMENTS OF UKRAINE’S INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE IN THE PROFESSIONAL TRAINING OF STUDENTS PURSUING A FIRST (BACHELOR’S) LEVEL OF HIGHER EDUCATION

<jats:p>The aim of this study is to identify prospects for utilizing elements of Ukraine’s intangible cultural heritage in the professional training of students pursuing a first-level (bachelor’s) degree in higher education, to substantiate their educational potential, and to outline effective ways to integrate elements of intangible cultural heritage into the educational process at institutions of higher education. The methodological basis of this work consists of a set of general scientific and specialized methods. Methods of analysis, synthesis, generalization, systematization, and description were used to examine the theoretical foundations of research on intangible cultural heritage and its educational potential. The bibliographic method was applied to study scientific works, regulatory and legal acts, and international documents in the field of cultural heritage preservation. Content analysis made it possible to examine the content of educational programs and teaching materials regarding opportunities for integrating elements of intangible cultural heritage into bachelor’s-level professional training. The comparative method was used to contrast Ukrainian and international experiences in incorporating cultural heritage into educational practice. The historical-genetic method enabled us to study the evolution of approaches to understanding the educational role of intangible cultural heritage. The systemic method facilitated the consideration of intangible cultural heritage as a holistic sociocultural phenomenon and an important resource for the development of professional competencies among future specialists. Summarizing the results of the study, we conclude that intangible cultural heritage is an important factor in the formation of cultural identity, the preservation of historical memory, and the development of the modern educational landscape. We analyzed international and national mechanisms for its protection, in particular the role of the 2003 UNESCO Convention and the National Inventory of Elements of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Ukraine. The paper justifies the use of intangible cultural heritage sites as a resource for the professional training of bachelor’s degree students through the integration of relevant topics into existing educational components and the introduction of specialized courses. Effective forms and methods of working with higher education students have been identified, including informational and cognitive, project-based, expedition-based, practice-oriented, digital, and interdisciplinary approaches. It has been demonstrated that the systematic use of Ukrainian intangible cultural heritage in the educational process contributes to the development of professional, research, communication, and civic competencies, the formation of national consciousness, and the preparation of competitive specialists for the fields of education, culture, tourism, museum studies, and the creative industries.</jats:p>