DILI, 02 September 2025 (TATOLI) – President of the Republic José Ramos-Horta was conferred today with an Honorary Doctorate by Mackenzie Presbyterian University (Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie – UPM) of Brazil. The prestigious honor was formally presented by UPM Rector, Professor Marco Tullio de Castro Vasconcelos, at the Nicolau Lobato Presidential Palace.
An Honorary Doctorate is the highest academic distinction awarded by universities worldwide, recognizing individuals of exceptional merit and lifetime achievement in fields such as peace, culture, science, and politics.
The award celebrates President Ramos-Horta’s lifelong dedication to public service, including his previous roles as Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. He played a central role in the diplomatic struggle for Timor-Leste’s independence and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1996 for his unwavering commitment to a just and peaceful resolution to the conflict.
President Ramos-Horta expressed his profound gratitude, stating:
“I am deeply moved and honored to receive this distinction from such a renowned and historic institution. This honor is not just personal –it is a recognition of the resilience and enduring spirit of the Timorese people. It strengthens the bonds of friendship and solidarity between our nations and highlights the universal values of education, peace, and human dignity that we all strive to uphold.”
The honor also underscores the deep academic partnership between UPM and Timor-Leste. For over 23 years, UPM has collaborated with the National University of Timor-Leste (UNTL) to strengthen Portuguese language education and develop academic capacity. This cooperation has included literacy projects, lecturer training, research exchanges, and linguistic initiatives. A key milestone was the recent completion of an inter-institutional doctorate (DINTER) by 13 UNTL lecturers.
Mackenzie Presbyterian University, located in São Paulo, is one of Brazil’s most prestigious and traditional educational institutions, recognized for its academic excellence and values-based education.
Journalist : Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Rafael Ximenes de A. Belo
