DILI, 14 july 2022 (TATOLI) – The Government of Cuba, through its Embassy in Dili, will support the Lorosa’e National University (UNTL) to develop and increase the number of physical education teachers.
The chargé d’affaires of the Cuban Embassy in Timor-Leste, José Ernesto Pires said that Cuba is committed to working with the Government of Timor-Leste to support the Department of Physical Education at the UNTL.
In october 2021, the Secretary of State for Youth and Sports (SoSYS), UNTL, and the Cuban Ministry for Higher Education signed a collaboration agreement to enhance the bilateral cooperation in the sports sector, focusing on the development of physical education and increasing the number of the physical education teachers in the country.
He said increasing the number of physical education teachers is important to ensure that every school across the country has a physical education teacher.
Pires said having enough physical education teachers is crucial for the preparation of the Timorese athletes to compete in the future.
“Physical education teachers will train the young generation to ensure the preparedness of the Timorese athletes to not only compete at the national level but also the international competition,” Pires told TATOLI, after having a meeting at the SoSYS, today.
He said Cuba will take young Timorese people who hold bachelor’s degrees in physical education to do their master’s degrees in Cuba.
“We are willing to take some Timorese people to do their masters in physical education in Cuba. It’s something that we need to discuss with the Government of Timor-Leste,” Pires said.
He added Cuba’s door is opened for every Timorese people who want to pursue their master’s degree in physical education in Cuba.
Apart from sport, Cuba has been committed to supporting the Government of Timor-Leste in providing capacity building and training for the Timorese doctors.
Pires stressed that since the establishment of bilateral relations with Timor-Leste 20 years ago, Cuba has produced more than 1.000 doctors and 40 specialty doctors.
“We will keep supporting the government of Timor-Leste to continue producing more doctors and specialty physicians. Cuba is willing to take more Timorese doctors to pursue their specialty in Cuba,” he said.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges Rosario
