DILI, 06 december 2022 (TATOLI)— Timor-Leste’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Culture (MESSc), and the United States Embassy in Dili signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in the field of Education to support comparative studies for Timorese students.
The agreement was signed between the Chargé d’Affaires of the United States Embassy, Tom Daley, and Minister of Higher Education, Science and Culture, Longuinhos dos Santos, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation (MNEK) hall in Dili, this Tuesday.
The contents of the MoU aim to provide educational and comparative study opportunities for Timorese students to continue their education in the United States.
“The Memorandum of Understanding signed today has the main purpose of creating opportunities for cooperation and exchange in the field of higher education and helping Timor-Leste to fulfill the National Development Strategic Plan through quality human resource training with the support of the United States,” said the Minister of MESSK, Longuinhos at the sideline of the signature ceremony.
Longuinhos thanked the Government of the United States represented by the US Chargé d’Affaires, Tom Daley, for the initiation of this bilateral cooperation in the field of higher education.
“Following the National Strategic Development Plan and Higher Education Policy, we need to ensure the quality of human resources as a fundamental instrument to ensure the sustainability of our country,” he said.
Therefore Longuinhos said this collaboration would focus more on the following areas; the Exchange of information and experts on the development of higher education in terms of scientific publications, seminars, and conferences, the Exchange of academic staff, teachers, and students, as well as promotion of English language training programs for the students, to have to access the opportunity to pursue higher education in the United States.
Meanwhile, US Chargé d’Affaires in TL, Tom Daley stated that the signing of the MoU was to increase the number of scholarships and comparative studies for TL students.
“The MoU will provide scholarships to nine TL students funded by the United States. We also hope that future scholarships will be funded by the TL Government,” said Tom Daley.
In 2023, the US will provide scholarships to four TL students, to continue their master’s level education in the United States through the Fulbright program.
In addition, for the last 20 years, the United States has provided opportunities for 600 TL residents to receive education and comparative studies, including the Fulbright program.
Journalist: Camilo de Sousa
Editor: Nelia B.
