DILI, 02 October 2025 (TATOLI) – The Faculty of Law of the National University of Timor Lorosa’e (UNTL) and the Faculty of Law of the University of Lisbon (FDUL) have signed a cooperation agreement to enhance legal training and research under Timor-Leste’s Justice Sector Reform Program.
The agreement was signed on Monday in Lisbon by the Dean of the Faculty of Law of UNTL, José Tomás Alves, the Director of FDUL, Eduardo Vera-Cruz Pinto, the Rector of UNTL, João Soares Martins, and the President of the Institute for Legal Cooperation of FDUL, Fernando Loureiro Bastos.
The agreement includes an exchange program for lecturers and researchers, the production of textbooks on Timorese law, and the joint organization of classes, conferences, seminars, as well as master’s and doctoral programs, both in-person and online.
The initiative is part of the government’s strategy to strengthen the justice sector and improve legal education in Timor-Leste, in line with the report “For a Better Justice.” The plan focuses on two main priorities: sending Timorese students to Portuguese universities and reinforcing the Faculty of Law at UNTL to ensure high-quality training in the country.
“Current scholarship holders studying abroad will play a central role in addressing the shortage of qualified human resources and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the justice system,” said in a satement.
Since last year, the government has sent 103 young Timorese to study in Portugal, including three in the field of forensic medicine.
In 2024, the government approved a decree-law establishing a special scholarship scheme for the justice sector. These scholarships cover higher education programs leading to bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in civil law studies, training in forensic medicine, professional training courses, specialized training for trainees of the Legal and Judicial Training Centre, and professional internships to prepare graduates for careers in the justice sector.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
