THE SCIENTIFIC AND THEORETICAL FOUNDATIONS OF PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES IN THE CONTEMPORARY ERA

This article theoretically examines the scientific and conceptual foundations of professional competence in the contemporary era, within the context of globalization, digital transformation, the growth of the knowledge economy, and the integration of artificial intelligence technologies into education systems. Today, individuals are expected not only to possess professional knowledge but also to develop problem-solving, critical thinking, communication, teamwork, digital literacy, and lifelong-learning skills. The aim of this study is to examine the scientific and theoretical foundations of professional competence in the contemporary era in light of the international and national literature. A document-analysis method was employed, and current scientific studies published by the OECD, the World Economic Forum, the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and the relevant scholarly literature were analyzed. The findings indicate that professional competence does not consist solely of technical knowledge and skills but constitutes a multidimensional construct that also encompasses cognitive, social, ethical, and digital competencies.