About 98% of lecturers who teach at the National University (UNTL) have undertaken their masters degree, according to Rector Francisco Martins.
He said UNTL would continue its efforts to improve education standards by investing in quality education for its teachers.
“Only two lecturers held their masters degree when UNTL began in 2000, but now about 98% of lecturers hold masters degrees,” he said.
UNTL lecturers often complete their masters abroad in countries such as Australia, Brazil, Indonesia, New Zealand, Portugal, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines and the USA.
Some lecturers were offered scholarships to study for their doctorate through UNTL’s partnerships with international universities.
“This year 20 lecturers were sent to Portugal to do their doctorate in different areas like mechanical and civil engineering, electronics, biology, international relations, mathematics and others,” said Martins.
UNTL has written a draft national policy on capacity building for teachers as a way of improving education quality in Timor-Leste.
The Japanese Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Eiji Yamamoto, said the Japanese government felt pleased to support the government of Timor-Leste to develop human resources in this new nation.
“The Japanese government continues to support Timor-Leste through JICA’s scholarship program to develop human resources and education in Timor-Leste,” he said.
