Age limit raised, senior lecturers can now undertake study leave
Jakarta — The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemdiktisaintek) has established mechanisms for study leave for civil servants (PNS) in 2026 through the Ministerial Regulation of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Permendiktisaintek) Number 4 of 2026 on the Management of Study Leave for PNS.
One of the key updates in this regulation is the increase in the maximum age limit for lecturers to undertake study leave.
“Specifically for lecturers, we are introducing policies that are more progressive and adaptive. The maximum age limit, which was previously 51 years, has now been raised to 53 years for lecturers without administrative duties and 57 years for lecturers with administrative duties,” said Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Brian Yuliarto during an online socialisation event in Jakarta on Monday.
The minister stated that this represents a commitment to sustainable career development for lecturers and recognition that learning and competency strengthening do not cease at a particular age.
“With this system, the monitoring process becomes more orderly, more transparent and accountable, whilst helping us ensure every stage proceeds according to plan,” said Minister Brian.
The ministry also outlined that study leave can be implemented through two schemes under this new regulation.
First, the scheme without administrative duties, allowing lecturers to focus entirely on their studies and completing their education optimally.
Second, the scheme with administrative duties, whereby lecturers study whilst working, designed to maintain the continuity of their role in the study programme or faculty whilst improving their academic qualifications.
“This study leave programme can be pursued through academic, vocational, professional, or specialist pathways at both accredited domestic higher education institutions and officially recognised foreign universities,” he said.
The minister described this policy as part of adaptive, professional, and competency-based bureaucratic transformation. Kemdiktisaintek ensures that every investment in human resource development delivers tangible benefits to institutions and ultimately to society.
Therefore, he called upon all relevant stakeholders within Kemdiktisaintek to utilise this study leave mechanism with full responsibility, as a joint investment to strengthen higher education in science and technology in Indonesia.