At the meeting, the AIT representatives conducted a number of formal
and informal discussions with representatives from the National
University of Timor-Leste (UNTL), Ministry of Education, Ministry of
Agriculture and Fisheries, UNESCO, GTZ, NORAD and the Swedish
International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).
and informal discussions with representatives from the National
University of Timor-Leste (UNTL), Ministry of Education, Ministry of
Agriculture and Fisheries, UNESCO, GTZ, NORAD and the Swedish
International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).
A key highlight was a meeting with Timor-Leste’s Minister for
Education, Culture and Sports, Mr. Joao Cancio Freitas, who expressed
his keen interest in AIT’s academic programs and the Institute’s
various scholarship opportunities.
Education, Culture and Sports, Mr. Joao Cancio Freitas, who expressed
his keen interest in AIT’s academic programs and the Institute’s
various scholarship opportunities.
According to Dr. Ebbers, the Minister agreed to support efforts to
explore possibilities with AIT’s scholarship sponsors for expanding
existing programs to allocate some dedicated scholarships in key
development areas to students from Timor-Leste.
explore possibilities with AIT’s scholarship sponsors for expanding
existing programs to allocate some dedicated scholarships in key
development areas to students from Timor-Leste.
Minister Freitas said his government appreciated AIT’s efforts in
developing a strategy concept note for future cooperation between AIT
and Timor-Leste. Referring to the strategy note, he indicated that
strengthening UNTL’s capacities in both teaching and research could be
core areas for future cooperation between AIT and his developing
country. The Minister suggested that AIT follow-up on this
development with the national university some time later this year,
since UNTL is currently awaiting approval of its new charter and the
appointment of a new rector,
developing a strategy concept note for future cooperation between AIT
and Timor-Leste. Referring to the strategy note, he indicated that
strengthening UNTL’s capacities in both teaching and research could be
core areas for future cooperation between AIT and his developing
country. The Minister suggested that AIT follow-up on this
development with the national university some time later this year,
since UNTL is currently awaiting approval of its new charter and the
appointment of a new rector,
Addressing this year’s conference theme of “Good-bye Conflict – Welcome
Development”, more than 180 delegates from governments, international
organizations and civil society groups outlined the requirements for
sustainable development of Timor-Leste. Together the attendees pledged
their commitment to support all efforts to ensure that conflict and
political unrest remained a thing of the past, and that the country’s
future be characterized by peace and prosperity.
Development”, more than 180 delegates from governments, international
organizations and civil society groups outlined the requirements for
sustainable development of Timor-Leste. Together the attendees pledged
their commitment to support all efforts to ensure that conflict and
political unrest remained a thing of the past, and that the country’s
future be characterized by peace and prosperity.
Another key theme of 2010 Timor-Leste and Development Partners Meeting
was the need for capacity building and human resources development.
This fact, coupled with AIT’s subsequent meetings with key
development partners and government representatives, provided
confirmation that the concept notes and proposals developed by AIT for
cooperation with Timor-Leste are in line with the national plans of the
Timor-Leste Vision 2020, Dr. Ebbers said.
was the need for capacity building and human resources development.
This fact, coupled with AIT’s subsequent meetings with key
development partners and government representatives, provided
confirmation that the concept notes and proposals developed by AIT for
cooperation with Timor-Leste are in line with the national plans of the
Timor-Leste Vision 2020, Dr. Ebbers said.
A meeting with UNESCO’s Prof. Hubert Gijzen provided an opening
for further dialogue with officials at the UNESCO main office in Dili.
The possibility of UNESCO supporting AIT’s partnership efforts with
UNTL was discussed, as was the idea of jointly organizing a previously
proposed international workshop on Higher Education and Research for
Sustainable Development in Timor-Leste.
for further dialogue with officials at the UNESCO main office in Dili.
The possibility of UNESCO supporting AIT’s partnership efforts with
UNTL was discussed, as was the idea of jointly organizing a previously
proposed international workshop on Higher Education and Research for
Sustainable Development in Timor-Leste.
Later, a meeting with GTZ’s Second Rural Development Programme for
TL proved productive. Suggestions for mutual cooperation included
availing of AIT’s expertise to support a large-scale rice conference in
June 2010; capacity building in selected areas of sustainable
agriculture through non-formal education-based trainings, and
master’s-level education opportunities for some project staff, subject
to the availability of scholarship funds.
TL proved productive. Suggestions for mutual cooperation included
availing of AIT’s expertise to support a large-scale rice conference in
June 2010; capacity building in selected areas of sustainable
agriculture through non-formal education-based trainings, and
master’s-level education opportunities for some project staff, subject
to the availability of scholarship funds.