Integration of New Technological Innovation of Automobiles into the Automotive Curriculum of Technical Education Programs at Higher Education

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the current technological developments thatare important to be integrated into the curriculum of higher educationto improve its relevance. The design of this study used a survey design,which the research area is Makassar City. Respondents were taken fromthe automotive engineering education lecturers, and automotivetechnicians from 5 authorized automobile shops in Makassar. Instrumentfor data collection was a structured questionnaire designed byresearchers from a variety of literature. Data obtained from 20respondents were analyzed using t-test method. It was found that 36innovations including; Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI), Variable ValveTiming Intelligence (VVT-i), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), On-boardDetection and Diagnostic System (OBD), etc, were perceived as importantto be integrated into appropriate curriculum. Interventions to upgradehuman resources in order to facilitate the teaching and learning ofskills related to these innovations were recommended.