MINISTRY OF EDUCATION OF TIMOR-LESTE AND UNIKA ATMA JAYA EXPLORE STRATEGIC RESEARCH COOPERATION

2/17/2023 12:00:00 AM

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(Left-to-right) The visitation of the Minister of Education of Timor Leste was opened with remarks from the Rector of Unika Atma Jaya, Dr. Agustinus Prasetyantoko, and the Director General of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Culture of Timor-Leste, Maria Filomena Lay Guterres, at the Semanggi campus, Jakarta, Thursday (16/2).

Jakarta, 16 February 2023 – The Director General of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Culture of Timor-Leste visited Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia in order to improve good relations, as well as discuss opportunities to expand cooperation such as scholarship and strategic research.

The visitation of an official from Higher Education, Science and Culture of Timor-Leste, Maria Filomena Lay Guterres, to the Semanggi campus, Jakarta, Thursday (16/2) received a warm welcome from the Rector of Atma Jaya Catholic University, Dr. Agustinus Prasetyantoko and all staff. Both of them were involved in a warm conversation remembering and exchanging experiences, especially regarding the development of Timor-Leste students since the signing of a memorandum of cooperation since 2022.

On this occasion, the Rector of Atma Jaya Catholic University conveyed the development of Timor-Leste students who have received full education scholarships since 2022. In 2023, Atma Jaya Catholic University will provide educational scholarships to 38 the Timor-Leste youth.

The Director General of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Culture of Timor-Leste, Maria Filomena Lay Guterres, in dialogue with the leadership of Unika Atma Jaya.

Maria said, “Thank you to Unika Atma Jaya for the educational collaboration that has been built so far. With the recent MOU signing between the Indonesian and Timor-Leste ministries of education, we can begin deeper collaboration and realize collaborative ideas in the field of education," added Maria.

The Director General of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Culture of Timor-Leste also highlighted the possibility of strategic research collaboration between Atma Jaya Catholic University and Timor-Leste.

The Rector of Atma Jaya Catholic University also revealed that the Indonesian Presidency at the ASEAN meeting this time could be a momentum to further enhance collaboration with Timor-Leste which will become part of ASEAN.

(Left-to-right) Present giving by the Rector of Unika Atma Jaya, Dr. Agustinus Prasetyantoko to the Director General of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Culture of Timor-Leste, Maria Filomena Lay Guterres.

"This meeting can enhance Atma Jaya Catholic University collaboration with the ministry of higher education in Timor-Leste and it is a form of Atma Jaya Catholic University commitment in contributing to the education world," said Prasetyantoko in his remarks. 

"Providing scholarships for Timor-Leste students is a form of positive collaboration that is expected to improve the quality of human resources and foster the value of kinship as brothers and neighbors between countries, Indonesia and Timor-Leste." added the famous economist.

Another point regarding the development of Timor-Leste students, Unika Atma Jaya has also provided assistance and counseling for all students so they can adapt well. Seeing how language can be an obstacle for Timor-Leste students receiving scholarships in the learning process, Unika Atma Jaya is trying to provide language assistance so that it does not become a significant obstacle for Timor-Leste students.

The steps taken by Unika Atma Jaya to provide assistance and counseling were appreciated by the Director General of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Culture of Timor-Leste. This really helps Timor-Leste students in the process of interacting and studying at Atma Jaya Catholic University.

“Happy, that our students have found the right place to develop their potential at Atma Jaya Catholic University. We believe Unika Atma Jaya can provide the best education and guide students from Timor-Leste," said Maria.

Group photo after discussion exploring strategic research collaboration between Unika Atma Jaya and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Culture of Timor-Leste.

This collaboration is also important in the process of character building for students. The values of Atma Jaya Catholic University are expected to shape the character of students from Timor-Leste to become excellent, professional and caring individuals.