In a significant move to enhance the quality of higher education in Indonesia, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek) issued Permendikbudristek No. 44 of 2024, a regulation aimed at strengthening the professionalism, career paths, and welfare of lecturers. Among its key provisions, the regulation explicitly mandates that higher education institutions ensure fair, consistent, and lawful payment of salaries and allowances to lecturers.

Key Components of Permendikbudristek No. 44 of 2024

1. Strengthening Lecturer Professionalism

The regulation reinforces the role of lecturers in fulfilling the Tridharma Perguruan Tinggi—education, research, and community service. It emphasizes the need for lecturers to:

• Uphold academic integrity and ethical standards.
• Avoid conflicts of interest in teaching and research.
• Foster inclusive and equitable academic environments.

Higher education institutions are held accountable for supporting lecturers in meeting these standards, ensuring a conducive academic atmosphere that benefits students and the broader academic community.

2. Mandatory Payment of Salaries by Institutions

The regulation explicitly obligates universities and higher education institutions to ensure that lecturers receive fair and consistent remuneration. Institutions are required to:

• Provide basic salaries in accordance with labor laws and contractual agreements.
• Pay functional allowances based on academic positions, ranging from assistant professor to professor.
• Guarantee timely and regular payment of salaries and allowances for both permanent and contractual lecturers.
• Allocate special allowances for lecturers serving in remote, underserved, or 3T (tertinggal, terdepan, and terluar) regions.

These obligations apply to both public and private institutions, with oversight from the ministry to ensure proper implementation.

3. Competitive and Equitable Remuneration

In addition to salaries, the regulation introduces various allowances to motivate lecturers, including:

• Honorary allowances for professors, amounting to up to twice the basic salary.
• Performance-Based Allowances, tied to research contributions, teaching quality, and community engagement.
• Special Regional Allowances for those working in areas with limited access to education.

These measures aim to attract and retain talented educators while promoting equity across diverse educational landscapes.

4. Sanctions for Non-Compliance

To ensure compliance, the regulation outlines administrative sanctions for institutions that fail to fulfill their obligations to lecturers. Sanctions range from official warnings to the suspension of government funding and operational permits.

Expected Impact of the Regulation

1. Improved Lecturer Welfare With clear obligations for salary and allowances, lecturers can focus on their academic responsibilities without financial concerns.
2. Equity in Education Special allowances for 3T regions aim to attract qualified educators to areas that lack access to quality education.
3. Enhanced Higher Education Quality Improved welfare and career opportunities for lecturers will boost productivity in research, teaching, and community service, enhancing the overall quality of higher education.
4. Reducing Disparities Between Public and Private Institutions The regulation ensures that lecturers at private universities receive fair treatment, similar to their counterparts at public institutions.

A Commitment to Sustainable Higher Education

The Minister of Education highlighted the regulation’s role in creating a transformative education system, stating:

“The welfare of lecturers is a priority. We want to ensure that every lecturer receives their rightful compensation, allowing them to fully dedicate themselves to educating the nation’s future leaders.”

Conclusion: Toward a Better Future for Higher Education

Permendikbudristek No. 44 of 2024 serves as a critical framework for transforming Indonesia’s higher education sector. By ensuring lecturers’ welfare, transparent career progression, and institutional accountability, the regulation positions Indonesia to meet global challenges in education.