Transforming Higher Education Curriculum Based on the Indonesian National Qualifications Framework (KKNI) to Address Human Resource Challenges in the Industrial Revolution 4.0 Era

Abstract

The rapid technological advancements of the Fourth Industrial Revolution have posed significant challenges to the relevance and responsiveness of higher education curricula in Indonesia. This study explores the transformation of higher education curricula through the integration of the Indonesian National Qualifications Framework (Kerangka Kualifikasi Nasional Indonesia, KKNI) and the Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) policy. Using a qualitative descriptive approach and library research methodology, this study examines 14 primary data sources, including government regulations, curriculum guidelines, scholarly literature, and empirical reports from higher education institutions.The findings reveal that KKNI serves as a foundational framework that shifts curriculum design from content-based to outcomes-based models, emphasising graduate competencies aligned with industry standards. Concurrently, MBKM promotes curricular flexibility by offering students diverse experiential learning opportunities, including internships, entrepreneurship, research, and community service. The integration of KKNI and MBKM supports the development of holistic, adaptive, and globally competitive graduates.However, challenges remain in the implementation process, including infrastructural limitations, insufficient faculty readiness, fragmented evaluation practices, and weak institutional-industry linkages. The study employs the CIPP (Context, Input, Process, Product) evaluation model to assess the effectiveness of curriculum transformation, emphasising the importance of stakeholder collaboration, continuous assessment, and strategic policy alignment.This study concludes with a conceptual model for curriculum reform that integrates KKNI and MBKM, offering practical recommendations for institutions and policymakers to enhance the quality, relevance, and sustainability of higher education in Indonesia. The findings contribute to the discourse on education reform in developing countries and serve as a reference for designing future-ready curricula in the context of Industry 4.0.