DILI, 05 september 2023 (TATOLI)— The National Institute of Science and Technology (INCT) today celebrates the institution’s ninth year of existence and conveys the need for an integrated laboratory to support the research process.
“Currently we do not have an integrated National Laboratory to support our researchers with better access, while some researchers use the National Health Laboratory and some go to universities or private places that have laboratory facilities,” the Executive President of INCT, José Cornélio Guterres told reporters in Cathedral Hall, Dili on tuesday.
He said the lack of an integrated laboratory can be an obstacle for researchers in Timor-Leste. Integrated laboratories have an important role in supporting scientific research and development in various fields, including science, technology, and medicine. With an integrated laboratory, researchers can carry out research and experiments that are relevant to their field of study.
The existence of an integrated laboratory provides the facilities and equipment needed to carry out research well. For example, a chemistry laboratory may provide the chemicals, equipment, and instruments needed to perform chemical analysis. Likewise, biology laboratories can help researchers study living organisms and biological processes through special techniques and equipment.
Without adequate integrated laboratories, researchers may experience limitations in conducting experiments, analyzing data, and testing their hypotheses. This could hamper research progress in Timor-Leste, as effective research methods often require adequate laboratories.
To overcome these obstacles, governments need to pay attention to research and development in their countries. Investment in the establishment and maintenance of modern and well-equipped integrated laboratories will support quality research and progress in various scientific fields.
He hopes that in the future the Government will immediately establish an integrated national laboratory to support researchers in providing an accurate research process, as well as providing space for INCT to develop itself.
“Every year our human resources increase and for this, we need sufficient space because currently, our staff are more than 20 staff, who use the office of INFORDEPE, Balide Dili.,” he added.
The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Culture, ( MHESC), José Honório da Costa Pereira Jerónimo emphasized that INCT plays a very important role in the development and sustainable development of the nation, by promoting scientific research that contributes to finding solutions to the challenges facing our country in various fields.
“I committed to supporting INCT and all higher education institutions in the country. “We need to work together to ensure that our higher education institutions improve their quality so that students can gain knowledge and develop skills that make them active citizens and ready to face the challenges of the 21st century,” he said.
On September 3, 2014, the Council of Ministers approved the establishment of the National Institute for Science and Technology (INCT) through Decree Law No. 23/2014, September 3.
At the beginning of its establishment, the operational activities of the National Institute of Science and Technology or INCT were directly supervised by the office of the Deputy Minister of Education, Youth and Sports through the Directorate General of Higher Education.
In May 2019, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Culture proposed a new INCT profile to Council Ministers in accordance with Law No. 23/2014 which consists of the General Council, Scientific Council, Fiscal Council, and Executive Council. INCT as a public institution in Timor – Leste.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Nelia B.
