ABSTRACT: Developing graduate core competencies in higher education has been becoming an actual and trend issue due to the greatest concerns of students, governments, and employers about the quality of higher education outcomes. Higher education in Indonesia should turn the policies and the curriculum of university from conventional objective to recent contexts of global changes and employment settings. University must develop a curriculum which is not only aim to develop students’ knowledge but also to develop students’ core competencies, namely communication skill, IT (Information and Technology) skill, numeracy, learning how to learn, problem solving, working with others, and subject content competencies. The frameworks of core competencies development should be formulated and implemented and graduate “core competences” must become a measurement of quality to face the global competition. By this manner, intended outcomes of higher education namely employability, lifelong learning, and good citizenship will be attained. In other words, the universities in Indonesia should envisage that every single graduate of the university posses the seven attributes. The seven skills could be carried out in delivering course content. Finally, by equipping students with the core competencies they will succeed as professionals and responsible members of society.

KEY WORDS: Core competencies, higher education in Indonesia, policies and curriculum of the university, and global competition.

About the Author: Hadiyanto is a Lecturer at the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education UNJA (Universitas Negeri Jambi or State University of Jambi) in Sumatera, Indonesia. He can be reached at: hadi_tesl05@yahoo.com

How to cite this article? Hadiyanto. (2010). “The Development of Core Competencies at Higher Education: A Suggestion Model for Universities in Indonesia” in EDUCARE: International Journal for Educational Studies, Vol.3(1) August, pp.11-22. Bandung, Indonesia: Minda Masagi Press owned by ASPENSI in Bandung, West Java; and FKIP UMP in Purwokerto, Central Java, ISSN 1979-7877.

Chronicle of the article: Accepted (June 9, 2010); Revised (July 17, 2010); and Published (August 17, 2010).

ACRL [Association of College and Research Libraries]. (2004). Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education. Illinois: American Library Association. Also available at http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/acrl/standards/standards.pdf. [accessed in Jambi: February 20, 2007].

Ambigapathy, P. & A.G. Aniswal [eds]. (2005). “University Curriculum: An Evaluation on Preparing Graduates for Employment” in Higher Education Research Monograph, 6/2005. Pulau Pinang, Malaysia: National Higher Education Research Institute. Also available at http://www.usm.my/ipptn/fileup/University20Curriculum1.pdf. [accessed at Jambi: July 18, 2008].

Bath, Debra et al. (2004). “Beyond Mapping and Embedding Graduate Attributes: Bringing Together Quality Assurance and Action Learning to Create a Validated and Living Curriculum” in Journal of Higher Education Research & Development, 23(3), pp.313-328.

Billing, David. (2003). “Generic Cognitive Abilities in Higher Education: An International Analysis of Skills Sought by Stakeholders” in Journal of Compare, 33(3), pp.335-350.

Brodjonegoro, Sumantri. (2002). “Implementation of Higher Education New Paradigm: Indonesian Higher Education Reform” in International Conference of Higher Education Reform. Jakarta: Ditjendikti Depdiknas RI.

Candy, P.C. (1995). “Developing Lifelong Learners Through Undergraduate Education” in L. Summers [ed]. A Focus on Learning: Proceedings of the 4th Annual Teaching Learning Forum. Perth: Edith Cowan University, pp.ii-viii.

Crebert, G. et al. (2004). “Developing Generic Skills at University During Work Placement and in Employment: Graduate’s Perceptions” in Journal of Higher Education Research & Development, 23(2), pp.148-164.

CRSC [Core Renewal Steering Committee]. (2004). Learning Outcomes for the University Core Curriculum: Final Report. Chicago: Loyola University. Also available at: webmaster@luc.edu [accessed at Jambi: 17 May 2010].

Curry, P., R. Sherry & O. Tunney. (2003). What Transferable Skills Should Students Develop During Their Time in College: Results of Modern Languages Students Survey. USA: University of Dublin Trinity College. Also available at ttp://www.skillsproject.ie/downloads/pdfs/SummaryStudentReport.pdf. [accessed in Jambi: March 30, 2009].

Directorate General of Higher Education of Indonesia. (2007). Basic Framework for Higher Education Development: KPPTJP IV, 2003-2010. Jakarta: Ditjendikti Depdiknas RI. Also available at http.www. dikti.org.KPPTJP_2003-2010.pdf.pdf.J. [accessed in Jambi: December 7, 2007].

Dunne, E., N. Bennett & C. Carre. (2000). “Skill Development in Higher Education and Employment” in F. Coffield [ed]. Differing Visions of Learning Society. Bristol: Policy Press.

Forde, P.J. (2000). “Employer Expectations for Business Graduate Communication and Thinking: An Investigation Conducted in Singapore and Perth”. Unpublished Ph.D. Thesis. Australia: Curtin University of Technology.

Gal, I. (1997). “Big Picture: What Does ‘Numeracy’ Mean?” in Journal of GED, 12(4/5). USA: Testing Service of the American Council on Education. Also available at http://mathforum.org/teachers/adult.ed/articles/gal.html. [accessed at Jambi: January 21, 2010].

Hodge, Winston. (2007). Basic Education Curriculum Revisited: A Look at the Current Content and Reform. Singapore: Ministry of Education, Training and Development Division. Also available at http://www.vnseameo.org/downloads/malay/Singapore.doc. [accessed at Jambi: April 26, 2009].

Hodginson, L., N. Jackson & H. Lund. (2000). Benchmarking Key Skills Using National Standards: The Open University Experience in Benchmarking for Higher Education. London: Open University Press and Society for Research into Higher Education.

Jones, Anna. (2009). “Re-Disciplining Generic Attributes: The Disciplinary Context in Focus” in Journal of Studies in Higher Education, 34(1), pp.85-100.

Leggett, M., A. Kinnear & M. Boyce. (2004). “Student and Staff Perceptions of the Importance of Generic Skills in Science” in Journal of Higher Education Research & Development, 23(3), pp.296-212.

Mayer, Eric. (1992). Key Competencies: Report of the Committee to Advise the Australian Education Council and Ministers of Vocational Education, Employment and Training on Employment-Related Key Competencies for Post Compulsory Education and Training. Melbourne: Australian Education Council and Ministers of Vocational Educational Education, Employment and Training. Also available at https://isbndb.com/d/book/key_competencies_a01.html. [accessed at Jambi: November 9, 2007].

Megat Aman Zahiri Megat Zakaria et al. (2007). Hubungan Antara Kemahiran Generik dengan Jantina, Pengkhususan dan Pencapaian Guru-guru Pelatih UTM: Satu Tinjauan. Kuala Lumpur: Fakulti Pendidikan UTM [Universiti Teknologi Malaysia]. Also available at http://www.ipbl.edu.my/inter/penyelidikan/seminarpapers/2007/TeacherEdn/megatUTMfp.pdf. [accessed at Jambi: August 25, 2009].

Morreale, S.P., M.M. Osborn & J.C. Pearson. (2000). “Why Communication is Important: A Rationale for the Centrality of a Discipline”. Available at http://www.natcom.org/nca/files/ccLibraryFiles/FILENAME/000000000158/WhyCommisImportant.pdf. [accessed at Jambi: September 8, 2007].

National Ministry of Education of Indonesia. (20002). The Policy of National Ministry of Education of Indonesia Number 232/U/2002 about Curriculum of Higher Education. Jakarta: Ditendikti Depdiknas RI.

NCVER [National Centre for Vocational Education Research]. (2003). Defining Generic Skills. Adelaide, Australia: The National Centre for Vocational Education Research Ltd and NCVER Ltd. Also available at http://www.ncver.edu.au. [accessed at Jambi: January 21, 2007].

NUS [National University of Singapore]. (2006). Creating the Future: A Strategy for NUS. Singapore: NUS.

Oliver, Ron, Jan Herrinton & Catherine McLoughlin. (1999). Exploring the Development of Students’ Generic Skills Development in Higher Education Using a Web-Based Learning Environment. Western Australia: Edith Cowan University. Also available at http://www.elrond.scca.ecu.edu.au/oliver/2000/emgeneric.pdf [accessed at Jambi: May 15, 2010].

QAA [Quality Assurance Agency]. (2001). Quality Assurance in UK Higher Education: A Brief Guide. London: Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.

QCA [Qualifications and Curriculum Authority]. (2001). Key Skills for Developing Employability. London: QCA. Also available at www.qca.org.uk. [accessed at Jambi: January 21, 2007].

QCA [Qualifications and Curriculum Authority]. (2002). Guidance on the Wider Key Skills. London: QCA. Also available at www.qca.org.uk/qualifications/types/6483.html. [accessed at Jambi: January 21, 2007].

Ralph, Catts. (2004). Lifelong Learning and Higher Education: Reflections and Prospects. Scotland: Applied Educational Research Scheme, University of Stirling. Also available at http://content.cqu.edu.au/FCWViewer/getFile.do?id=21549. [accessed at Jambi: August 27, 2009].

Robley, Will, Sue Whittle & Deborah Murdoch-Eaton. (2005). “Mapping Generic Skills Curricula: Outcomes and Discussion” in Journal of Further and Higher Education, 29(4), pp.32-330.

RSC [Renewal Steering Committee]. (2003). Learning Outcomes for the University Core Curriculum. Chicago: Loyola University. Also available at www.webmaster@luc.edu. [accessed at Jambi: August 21, 2009].

Smith, R.M. (1982). Learning How to Learn: Applied Theory for Adults. Milton Keynes: Open University Press.

SQA [Scottish Qualifications Authority]. (2003). “Key Competencies: Some International Comparisons in Policy and Research” in Research Bulletin, 2. Also available at http://www.sqa.org.uk/files_ccc/Key_Competencies.pdf. [accessed at Jambi: August 29, 2009].

Star, Cassandra & Sara Hammer. (2007). “Teaching Generic Skills: Eroding the Higher Purpose of Universities or an Opportunity for Renewal?” in Oxford Review of Education, 34(2), pp.237-251.

Stephenson, J. & T. Challis. (1998). The Dearing Report. UK: The Higher Education Academy. Also available at http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/assets/york/documents/resources/heca/heca_ks23.pdf. [accessed at Jambi: August 25, 2009].

UNESCO [United Nations for Education, Social and Cultural Organization]. (2006). Higher Education in South-East Asia. Bangkok, Thailand: UNESCO. Also available at http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0013/001303/130338e.pdf.November.14. [accessed at Jambi: May 15, 2009].

Washer, Peter. (2007). “Revisiting Key Skills: A Practical Framework for Higher Education” in Journal of Quality in Higher Education, 13(1), pp.57-67.

Zalizan Mohammad Jelas et al. (2006). “Developing Core Competencies at Graduates: A Study of Effective Higher Education Practices in Malaysian Universities” in Summary Report. Kuala Lumpur: Faculty of Education UKM [Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia].