DILI, 25 August 2025 (TATOLI) – The Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MTC) and Telkomcel have officially partnered with Google Indonesia to accelerate the digital education transformation in Timor-Leste.
This collaboration was launched through a seminar titled “Driving Digital Transformation in Timor-Leste: Leveraging Open-Source Platforms for Innovation and Skills,” held at the Dili Convention Center (CCD), on Monday.
The seminar emphasized the use of technology as a foundation for innovation and digital skills development, particularly in education. It also supports Timor-Leste’s Strategic Digital Planning 2032, which focuses on cross-generational digital literacy. Furthermore, the event represents a concrete manifestation of MTC’s collaboration with the Ministry of Education of Timor-Leste.
Minister of Transportation and Communications, Miguel Marques Gonçalves Manetelu, stated that through this partnership, the government aims to expand opportunities for innovation and strengthen Timor-Leste’s digital capacity.
“Our theme today is not just a discussion topic, but a national imperative and the realization of a vision we established more than a decade ago,” Minister Manetelu told journalist at the CCD in Dili.
Meanwhile, Minister of Education Dulce de Jesus Soares emphasized the importance of education as the foundation for national development.
“With this collaboration, we are committed to equipping Timor-Leste’s young generation with digital skills so they will not only become users of technology but also creators of innovation,” she said.
She added that the government has been working since 2020 to register the use of Google Workspace for Education, which was officially adopted in February 2025. Technical implementation is currently underway to improve teacher training, strengthen the curriculum, and enhance learning in schools.
Minister Soares also welcomed the presence of Google’s office in Indonesia, expressing hope for support in prioritizing Tetun as a system language to reduce training barriers and promote the use of local languages in technology.
Telkomcel CEO Benedictus Ardiyanto Priyo emphasized that Telkomcel, which has operated in Timor-Leste for more than 13 years, fully supports the initiative.
“Digital talent development is a crucial aspect of driving digital transformation. Our investment is not only in infrastructure, but also in building the capacity and skills of the younger generation so they can compete in the global era,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, Olivia Husli Basrin, Country Lead for Google Cloud Education Indonesia, acknowledged the challenges faced by education systems in developing countries like Timor-Leste –including limited teaching staff, security concerns, and financial constraints.
Google offers solutions such as the Google Certified Educator program and the use of Google Workspace for Education to improve teacher competency, foster collaboration, and create a safe and efficient learning ecosystem.
“Access to this certification and technology will help educators gain globally recognized expertise, improve the quality of education, and prepare young people for the digital era,” Olivia said.
She added that Google Workspace serves as a vital bridge to developing globally competitive digital talent, and expressed her enthusiasm for supporting this initiative in Timor-Leste.
Through this forum, participants gained practical insights and had the opportunity to build collaborative networks that can drive future digital education projects. The initiative aligns with MTC’s vision to build an inclusive and sustainable digital ecosystem that supports economic growth and educational advancement in Timor-Leste.
The seminar was attended by students and teachers from junior and senior high schools in Dili, who participated in demonstrations using Google Workspace tools such as Google Classroom, Docs, Sheets, and Slides. These activities showcased the real potential of implementing digital technology in classrooms and creating interactive learning experiences.
Journalist : Camilio de Sousa
Editor : Rafael Ximenes de A. Belo
