Timor Leste, February 1, 2024 – As part of the delegation’s journey to Timor Leste, the Faculty of Biology UGM, represented by Prof. Dr. Suwarno Hadisusanto, S.U., the Chairman of the Faculty Senate, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc., the Dean, and Abdul Razaq Chasani, S.Si., M.Si., Ph.D, the Head of the Tropical Biology Department, continued their visit to several schools in Timor Leste. The purpose of this visit was to introduce Faculty of Biology UGM and explore potential collaboration opportunities in the field of education.
One of the schools visited was Colegio Santo Inacio de Loila in Dili, Timor Leste. The delegation was welcomed by Romo Calisto. Established in 2013, the school currently has 800 students, with 60% of them being female. Colegio Santo Inacio de Loila offers 3 classes for junior high school and 4 classes for senior high school. With outstanding achievements, ranking first in the national exams in 2022 and 2023, the school has produced graduates who continued their studies in Indonesia, particularly at President University.
The delegation then proceeded to Fundacao Canossa, where they met with Suster Maria Esperanca M.F. Soares, leaving a positive impression. Suster Esperanca expressed her joy at the opportunity for teachers and students at Fundacao Canossa to pursue studies at the Faculty of Biology UGM. Fundacao Canossa is an institute that covers education from kindergarten to university level.
Faculty of Biology UGM provides opportunities for students at Fundacao Canossa to continue their studies through regular program or International Undergraduate Program (IUP). Fundacao Canossa currently has seven biology teachers at the junior and senior high school levels who have the opportunity to pursue master’s studies and contribute to the development of biology education. Therefore, the strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Fundacao Canossa focuses on advanced studies for teachers.
Pak Pandu, representing Pusat Budaya Indonesia (PBI) in Dili, Timor Leste, also presented the scholarship program, Kemitraan Negara Berkembang (KNB) scholarship, open from January 22, 2024, to February 23, 2024, available for all students and teachers. Kedutaan Besar Republik Indonesia (KBRI) in Timor Leste will provide support and recommendations for potential scholarship recipients.
Faculty of Biology UGM boasts numerous alumni who currently reside and pursue their careers in Timor Leste. For instance, Demetrio do Amaral de Carvalho (class of ’90) is an active environmentalist in Timor Leste. Other alumni from the undergraduate program (S1) include Celine Maria Godinho (class of ’92) and Alice Pinto (class of ’96), who are now lecturers at the Universidade Nacional Timor Lorosa’e (UNTL).
Their success in achieving such accomplishments underscores the importance of quality education and international cooperation in the academic field. It is hoped that through collaboration between the Faculty of Biology UGM and educational institutions in Timor Leste, equal opportunities can be provided for alumni from both sides.
This visit reflects the commitment of the Faculty of Biology UGM to strengthen cooperation (SDG 17) and create opportunities for mutual growth with educational institutions in Timor Leste (SDG 4).