Integration of Circular Economy Concepts in Engineering Education Curriculum to Create Future Green Innovators

The transformation toward a circular economy has become an urgent need in addressing global sustainability challenges. This study aims to analyze the integration of circular economy concepts in engineering education curriculum to create future green innovators at the Faculty of Engineering, Islamic University of North Sumatra (FT UISU). The research methodology uses a mixed-method approach with explanatory sequential design. The research sample consists of 100 respondents including 70 students, 20 lecturers, and 10 industry stakeholders. Research instruments include structured questionnaires, in-depth interviews, and curriculum document analysis. Results show that 76% of respondents consider the integration of circular economy very important in engineering education curriculum. Gap analysis reveals limited understanding of circular economy concepts (62%), minimal sustainability-based courses (43%), and lack of green technology-based laboratory practices (58%). The developed integration model includes three main pillars: (1) Green Engineering Fundamentals, (2) Circular Design Thinking, and (3) Sustainable Innovation Laboratory. Model implementation shows significant improvement in students' green innovation competencies by 34.7% and environmental awareness by 41.2%. This research contributes to developing a circular economy-based curriculum framework that can be adopted by other engineering education institutions to produce graduates ready to become future green innovators.