DILI, 06 december 2023 (TATOLI) – The Government of Thailand, through Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA) has granted 637 scholarships to Timorese officials, worth about US$3 million.
The 637 scholarships included 35 Master’s Degree Scholarships through the Thailand International Postgraduate Program (TIPP), 141 recipients on short training courses through the Annual International Training Course (AITC), both online and onsite training in Thailand, and another 461 recipients under various Bilateral Frameworks.
The Thai Chargé d’Affaires, Sakollawat Thongcharoen, said that these scholarships are part of the Thai government’s commitment to contributing to the development of Timor-Leste’s human resources.
Currently, there are eight students from the health sector undergoing their studies in Thailand, and they will complete their studies in 2024.
He said that Thailand had also contributed to the construction of several schools in the country with the aim of improving the quality of education in Timor-Leste.
“Six schools’ projects on Children and Youth Development under the Patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn have been established. Three schools in Hera, two schools in Emera and one school in Baucau,” said Thongcharoen at the celebration of the Thailand’s Father’s Day held in Novo Turismo Hotel, in Dili, on tuesday.
He said that every two years, one outstanding teacher from Timor-Leste will be nominated as awardee under the Princess Maha Chakri Award (PMCA) Foundation: “This year, Miss Filomena da Costa, a teacher of Catholic Secondary School São Miguel Arcanjo, SAME, Manufahi has been awarded. She went to receive the Award from Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn on 17 october 2023 in Bangkok.”
Thailand was among the very first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Timor-Leste. Soon after establishing diplomatic relations, the two countries focused the development projects offered by the Royal Thai Government in particular the areas of Education, Agriculture and Health.
“Until now, the cooperation is extended to broader areas such as Tourism, Food Security, Climate Change and Environmental Issues, Bio-Circular-Green Economy Model (BCG) and other SDGs Related Topics,” added Thongcharoen.
Thailand has been unwaveringly supporting Timor-Leste for ASEAN membership. Thailand has been providing capacity buildings for Timorese officials and will continue to do so under the Technical Cooperation mechanism.
“Timor-Leste has always supported Thailand in the international elections under the United Nations bodies and other international organizations. I am confident that these ties are both strong and deepened,” concluded Thongcharoen.
Journalist: Camilo de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
