DILI, 27 April 2026 (TATOLI) – The Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Culture (MESSC) has signed an agreement with the Fundación Universitaria Iberoamericana (FUNIBER) to provide master’s and doctoral scholarships for lecturers from higher education institutions in the country, as part of efforts to strengthen academic qualifications and improve the national university system.
The agreement was signed on 27 April in Dili during a ceremony attended by Vice Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Social Affairs Mariano Assanami Sabino, who is serving as acting Minister of Higher Education, Science and Culture, along with representatives from FUNIBER and several higher education institutions.
The initiative forms part of the government’s broader strategy to strengthen higher education and develop human resources in line with national development priorities and Timor-Leste’s regional integration into ASEAN.
Under the initial phase, the programme will cover five higher education institutions: the National University of Timor Lorosa’e (UNTL), Catholic University of Timor (UCT), University of Dili (UNDIL), Dili Institute of Technology (DIT), and the Institute of Business (IOB).
Each institution will coordinate directly with the ministry in selecting and nominating lecturers eligible for the scholarships.
The scholarships, funded by FUNIBER, will support master’s and doctoral programmes, including distance-learning options that allow lecturers to continue their professional duties in Timor-Leste while pursuing further studies.
Fields of study include health, management, law, tourism and administration, among others.
During the signing ceremony, Mariano Assanami Sabino said the agreement would contribute to strengthening lecturers’ capacities and improving the quality of higher education in Timor-Leste.
He also stressed the importance of aligning academic training with regional and international standards.
FUNIBER Director of Institutional Relations Frigdiano Álvaro Durantez Prados said the cooperation aims to promote advanced training for university lecturers while integrating Timor-Leste into a wider academic network spanning Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking countries.
He said the partnership would also strengthen links between the Ibero-American academic space and the Asia-Pacific region.
Under the agreement, participating higher education institutions will nominate scholarship candidates based on agreed criteria, while the total number of scholarships will be determined during programme implementation.
The ceremony also included the signing of memorandums of understanding between FUNIBER and several national universities to formalize direct cooperation in higher education and academic training.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
