DILI, 29 november 2022 (TATOLI) – The Vice Chancellor of the University of Victoria (VU), Adam Shoemaker, met with the President of the Republic, José Ramos Horta, to discuss the importance of developing 21st-century skills among young Timorese.
“There is a historic opportunity we believe to align both nations in the interest of what we call new-generation skills and 21st-century skills. New-generation skills are important for Timor-Leste and Australia as well,” Shoemaker told reporters at the Palace of the President, in Dili, today.
During the meeting, Shoemaker and President Horta raise the importance of future education, especially the skills needed in early childhood education.
“This is my first visit to this beautiful country. We had a wonderful meeting with President Horta and have been talking about the future of education and particularly skills education in the world. We discussed the idea of early childhood education, and the idea of how people can change their lives for the better through skills,” he explained.
He said there is a very close relationship between the VU and Timor-Leste, saying therefore the two parties can collaborate to develop the 21st-century skill among the younger generation.
Soft skills are essential for modern-day life and the workplace. Therefore, teaching 21st-century skills to students is needed.
The twelve 21st Century skills are Critical thinking, Creativity, Collaboration, Communication, Information, literacy, Media literacy, Technology literacy, Flexibility, Leadership, Initiative, Productivity, and Social skills.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges
