UNDIP, Semarang (31/7) – Amid hundreds of graduates celebrating their achievements, Dr. J L M Siahaan stood out. At 73, he was the oldest graduate to be conferred a degree at the fifth stage of Universitas Diponegoro’s 183rd graduation ceremony, held on Friday, July 31, 2026, at the Muladi Dome on the UNDIP Tembalang campus. Dr. J L M Siahaan completed his doctoral studies in the History study program at the Faculty of Humanities, Universitas Diponegoro.
UNDIP Vice Rector for Academic and Student Affairs, Prof. Dr.rer.nat. Ir. Heru Susanto, S.T., M.M., M.T., expressed his appreciation to JLM Siahaan for completing his doctoral studies in History at the age of 73. “His graduation is proof that the pursuit of knowledge is not limited by age,” he said.
For Dr. J L M Siahaan, learning is a lifelong process, especially when the knowledge one possesses continues to be needed by society.
Before pursuing his doctoral education, Dr. J L M Siahaan had built a long career as a consultant in highway and bridge surveying and planning. After earning his bachelor’s degree from Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), he continued his master’s studies at the University of Pennsylvania in Transportation Economic Development.
Beyond his professional career as a practitioner, Dr. J L M Siahaan has also been active as a writer and speaker at various seminars focusing on history and culture, particularly those related to the Toba region. This interest was the main reason he decided to pursue a doctoral degree in the History Study Program at Universitas Diponegoro.
“I am still frequently invited to speak about the history and culture of Toba. Therefore, I wanted to deepen my knowledge so that what I share has an even stronger academic foundation,” he said.
Completing a doctoral degree later in life was not without its challenges. However, the support of the UNDIP academic community enabled him to navigate the educational process and earn his doctoral degree successfully.
According to him, the academic atmosphere at UNDIP strongly encourages students to continue developing themselves, both through faculty guidance and a supportive learning environment. For him, earning a doctoral degree is not merely a personal achievement but also a message that education has no age limit.
He hopes his story can inspire others, particularly younger generations, never to stop learning. “Never stop learning. Age is not a barrier to pursuing knowledge. As long as there is an opportunity, keep learning and creating,” he said.
The story of Dr. J L M Siahaan serves as a reminder that education is a lifelong journey. At the age of 73, he has demonstrated that determination, curiosity, and the drive to continue growing can overcome age-related limitations. His graduation is an inspiration that it is never too late to learn. (Public Communication/UNDIP/Ut)
