Implementation of the Merdeka Belajar – Kampus Merdeka Curriculum in Improving the Readiness of Makassar State University Students to Enter the World of Work and Industry
Main Article Content
Abstract
This study investigates the implementation of the Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) curriculum at Makassar State University and evaluates its effectiveness in enhancing students’ career readiness. Employing a qualitative descriptive exploratory approach within a case study framework, data were collected through interviews, observations, and document analysis. The analysis followed the interactive model of Miles, Huberman, and Saldana. Findings demonstrate that the eight MBKM programs—Student Exchange, Internship, Teaching Practice, Research, Humanitarian Project, Entrepreneurship, Independent Study, and Thematic Community Service—have significantly bridged the gap between academic learning and real-world professional demands. The MBKM initiatives have enhanced the relevance of academic content and contributed to the development of essential 21st-century soft skills, including adaptability, communication, collaboration, critical thinking, leadership, and empathy. Collaborative engagement with external partners such as industries, schools, and civil society organizations has further enriched student learning experiences. Overall, the MBKM curriculum plays a pivotal role in producing graduates who are creative, innovative, adaptive, and competitive in the global workforce. However, the study also identifies several implementation challenges, including curriculum integration, coordination with external partners, assessment mechanisms, and resource constraints. Based on these findings, the study recommends strengthening the evaluation of student learning outcomes, expanding institutional networks, improving the development of soft skills, and optimizing lecturer and mentor support to ensure the program's sustainability and long-term impact.
Downloads
Article Details

Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
References
Ansell, C., & Gash, A. (2008). Collaborative governance in theory and practice. Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory, 18(4), 543–571.
Astin, A. W., Vogelgesang, L. J., Ikeda, E. K., & Yee, J. A. (2000). How service learning influences students’ development. Higher Education Research Institute.
Azelia, A. A., & Azzahra, H. (2024). Analisis efektivitas implementasi program MSIB dalam peningkatan kualitas SDM tenaga kerja perguruan tinggi Indonesia. Inovasi Makro Ekonomi (IME), 6(3).
Bandura, A. (1997). Self-efficacy: The exercise of control. Freeman.
Beard, C. M., & Wilson, J. P. (2006). Experiential learning: A best practice handbook for educators and trainers. Kogan Page.
Biggs, J., & Tang, C. (2003). Teaching for quality learning at university. Society for Research into Higher Education & Open University Press.
Billett, S. (2011). Curriculum and pedagogic bases for effectively integrating practice-based experiences. Australian Learning and Teaching Council.
Boyer, E. L. (1990). Scholarship reconsidered: Priorities of the professoriate. Princeton University Press.
Bringle, R. G., & Clayton, P. H. (2012). Civic education through service learning: What, how, and why. Dalam Higher education and civic engagement: Comparative perspectives (hlm. 101–124). Palgrave Macmillan.
Bygrave, W. D., Zacharakis, A., Wise, S., & Corbett, A. C. (2024). Entrepreneurship. John Wiley & Sons.
Candy, P. C. (2002). Lifelong learning and information literacy. Australian National Training Authority.
Celio, C. I., Durlak, J., & Dymnicki, A. (2011). Meta-analisis dampak service learning terhadap siswa. Journal of Experiential Education, 34(2), 164–181.
Darling-Hammond, L. (2006). Membangun pendidikan guru abad ke-21. Journal of Teacher Education, 57(3), 300–314.
Dewey, J. (2007). The influence of Darwin on philosophy and other essays in contemporary thought. Southern Illinois University Press.
Edersheim, E. H., & Drucker, P. F. (2007). The definitive Drucker. HarperCollins.
Etzkowitz, H., & Leydesdorff, L. (2000). The dynamics of innovation: From national systems to the triple helix of university–industry–government relations. Research Policy, 29(2), 109–123.
Fugate, M., Kinicki, A. J., & Ashforth, B. E. (2004). Employability: A psychosocial construct, its dimensions, and applications. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 65(1), 14–38.
Gibb, A. (2002). In pursuit of a new enterprise paradigm for learning. International Journal of Management Reviews, 4(3), 233–269.
Jackson, D. (2015). Pengembangan keterampilan kerja dalam pembelajaran terintegrasi. Studies in Higher Education, 40(2), 350–367.
Kementerian Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan Republik Indonesia. (2020). Panduan Merdeka Belajar – Kampus Merdeka. Kemendikbud RI.
Kolb, D. A. (2014). Experiential learning: Experience as the source of learning and development. FT Press.
Kuh, G. D. (2008). High-impact educational practices. Association of American Colleges and Universities.
Kuratko, D. F. (2016). Entrepreneurship: Theory, process, and practice (10th ed.). Cengage Learning.
Marwiji, H., Qomaruzzaman, B., & Zaqiah, Q. Y. (2023). Inovasi dalam bidang kurikulum: Merdeka Belajar, Kampus Merdeka dan penerapannya. Jurnal Educatio FKIP UNMA, 9(4), 2194–2203.
Miles, M. B., Huberman, A. M., & Saldaña, J. (2014). Qualitative data analysis: A methods sourcebook. Sage Publications.
Moleong, L. J. (2014). Metodologi penelitian kualitatif. Remaja Rosdakarya.
Nabi, G., Liñán, F., Fayolle, A., Krueger, N., & Walmsley, A. (2017). Dampak pendidikan kewirausahaan di pendidikan tinggi. Academy of Management Learning & Education, 16(2), 277–299.
Neck, H. M., & Greene, P. G. (2011). Pendidikan kewirausahaan: Dunia yang dikenal dan batas baru. Journal of Small Business Management, 49(1), 55–70.
Prensky, M. (2001). Digital natives, digital immigrants. On the Horizon, 9(6), 1–6.
Pretty, J. N. (1995). Pembelajaran partisipatif untuk pertanian berkelanjutan. World Development, 23(8), 1247–1263.
Robbins, S. P., & Judge, T. A. (2019). Organizational behavior (18th ed.). Pearson.
Robles, M. M. (2012). Persepsi eksekutif terhadap sepuluh keterampilan lunak utama yang dibutuhkan di tempat kerja. Business Communication Quarterly, 75(4), 453–465.
Sarah, C., Karma, I. N., & Rosyidah, A. N. K. (2021). Faktor-faktor yang memengaruhi minat belajar matematika siswa kelas V di Cakranegara. Progres Pendidikan, 2(1), 13–19.
Sarasvathy, S. D. (2008). Effectuation: Elements of entrepreneurial expertise. Edward Elgar Publishing.
Siregar, U. R., Hermawan, A., & Setyaningsih, S. (2024). Peningkatan produktivitas kerja guru melalui budaya organisasi dan motivasi. Indonesian Journal of Education and Mathematical Science, 5(3), 165–178.
Spencer, L. M., & Spencer, S. M. (1993). Competence at work: Models for superior performance. John Wiley & Sons.
Suarta, I. M., Suwintana, I. K., Sudhana, I. F. P., & Hariyanti, N. K. D. (2017, September). Keterampilan kerja abad ke-21: Kajian literatur permintaan pasar tenaga kerja. Proceedings of the International Conference on Technology and Vocational Teachers (ICTVT 2017) (hlm. 337–342). Atlantis Press.
Sukardi, D., & Hafizd, J. Z. (2024). Model pembelajaran berbasis penelitian dan pengabdian pada perguruan tinggi. Universitas Negeri Makassar Press.
Susanti, R., dkk. (2021). Pengaruh kualitas layanan terhadap loyalitas pelanggan melalui kepuasan pelanggan sebagai variabel mediasi. Jurnal Manajemen dan Bisnis Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang.
Tapia, M. N. (2010). Service learning di Amerika Latin: Sebuah kajian persebaran. Phi Delta Kappan, 91(5), 31–32.
Tilaar, H. A. R. (2004). Multikulturalisme: Tantangan global masa depan. Grasindo.
Trilling, B., & Fadel, C. (2009). 21st century skills: Learning for life in our times. John Wiley & Sons.
Tynjälä, P. (2008). Perspektif pembelajaran di tempat kerja. Educational Research Review, 3(2), 130–154.
Yin, R. K. (2018). Case study research and applications: Design and methods (6th ed.). Sage Publications.
Yorke, M., & Knight, P. (2004). Employability in higher education: What it is and what it is not. Higher Education Academy.




















