Students from Semester 5 Onwards to Begin Distance Learning This Week, Except for Practicals

Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Mendiktisaintek) Brian Yuliarto has stated that distance learning (PJJ) will be implemented for students in semester 5 and above, starting this week. “Starting this week,” said Brian after attending a limited meeting chaired by President Prabowo Subianto at the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta on Monday, 6 April 2026. Brian explained that the purpose of PJJ for students from semester five onwards is to create a more effective and efficient work culture by utilising technology from campus. “So, we are asking campuses to look at, first of all, of course we are creating a more efficient work culture, right. The use of digital tools, so for registration, for applications, for checking transcripts and so on,” he clarified. Brian said that student mobility can also be simpler during distance learning. Thus, it is hoped that tasks can be completed well through digital means. “So it’s much more efficient. We also ask that tasks be as digital as possible, so for example, final assignments that used to require five printed copies can be reduced,” he said. It was stated that this PJJ policy does not apply to first- and second-year students to create an academic atmosphere. In addition, the PJJ policy also does not apply to courses that require practicals. “That’s not for courses that need practicals, studios, and so on. So courses that are more about insights, but we still leave it to each higher education institution. Higher education institutions and programmes will see which ones can be done online. But once again, it does not reduce learning achievements, does not reduce quality, and so on,” he said. The government is also reviewing whether lecturers can work from home with the distance learning scheme. Later, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology will issue its guidelines. “Then the others are also about course arrangements. We are also following the directive on how one day for educational personnel, lecturers, they don’t have to go to campus, working from home,” he said. Later, said Brian, the distance learning guidelines will be given to all campuses. Thus, lecturers can study them and implement them according to the conditions of each campus.