Dr. R. Sukhyar received his Bachelor Degree in Geology Engineering from Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB). In 1990 he obtained his Doctorate Degree (Ph.D) in Earth Science from Monash University – Melbourne, Australia.
In 1981 he joined to Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR). From 1998 until 1999, he assumed as Director of Volcanology, before he was assigned as Secretary of Directorate General of Geology and Mineral Resources. In 2005 he was assigned as Assistant to Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources for Communication and Information Affairs. In 2008 he was appointed as Head of Geological Agency, MEMR. He was assigned as Director General of Mineral and Coal, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources from 2013 until 2015. He is now assigned as an assistant to the Minister of Industry for Metal, Natural Gas and Natural Resources Affairs.

From 2002 until 2008 he was appointed as Commissioner of PT. Timah Tbk and as Commissioner of PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy from 2005 until 2009. From 2012 until 2015 he was appointed as President Commissioner of PT Aneka Tambang Tbk.

In 1991 he received Lasut Charter Award from Indonesia Geologists Association. In 2009 he was awarded Merit Medal for Working Dedication (Wirakarya) by President of Republic of Indonesia. In 2011 he was entitled Energy and Mineral Resources Extra-Ordinary Performance (Dharma Karya) by Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources. In 2012 he gained Ultimate Service Performance Star (Bintang Jasa Utama) by the President of the Republic of Indonesia. He has also Geothermal Medal of Legacy from Geothermal Education of ITB.

Dr. R Sukhyar was in charge in strategic policy making such as the chairman of Mineral and Coal Mining Bill Drafting which then became Law on Mineral and Coal Mining No.4/2009; chairman of Geothermal Bill Drafting which then became Law on Geothermal No.27/2003 and chairman of Working Group for Coal and Mineral Added Value Policy. He is now a member of Working Group of Energy and Mineral Resources, National Committee for Economy and Industry (KEIN).

Dr. R. Sukhyar was appointed as World Bank consultant for Energy, Mineral Resources and Industry in early 2020 and also acting as the Chairman of Indonesia Smelters and Mineral Processing Association. He was acting as an adviser to the Minister of Industry on Natural Resources bades Industry from 2016 until 2019 and was an adviser in several professional and education organizations such as Indonesia Geothermal Association (IGA), Indonesia Geologists Association (IAGI), Indonesia Soil Scientists Association (HATI), Indonesia Mining Professional Association (PERHAPI) and Magister Geothermal Education of ITB. He chaired the Steering Committee of Cooperating Committee for Geoscience Programs in East and Southeast Asia (CCOP) from 2010-2013, and now as the Honorary Advisor of this organization. He is also adviser for The Association of Mining and Energy Provincial Offices.