‘Higher Education Vision Forum’ Co-hosted by HWPL and the Ministry of Higher Education of Timor-Leste

– Discussions on Introducing Peace Education and MOU Signing with Three Universities –

 

 

The Higher Education Vision Forum, co-hosted by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Culture of Timor-Leste (Ministério do Ensino Superior, Ciência e Cultura) and HWPL, was held in Dili, the capital of Timor-Leste, on June 2nd, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Approximately 22 representatives from 17 higher education institutions across Timor-Leste participated in the forum to discuss the introduction of peace education and potential avenues for collaboration.

This event was organized with the aim of promoting a culture of peace through education by introducing and implementing peace education in higher education institutions. It is hoped that the younger generation will internalize the values of peace and grow to become Messengers of Peace.

 

 

The forum began with a welcoming address from the General Director of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Culture of Timor-Leste, followed by a presentation introducing HWPL and emphasizing the need for peace education. The event continued with discussions on the implementation and operation of peace education, concluding with a Q&A session with attendees.

During the Q&A session, Dr. Acacio Cardoso Amaral, Rector of Betano Polytechnic Institute (IPB), expressed his agreement with the presentation, saying, “I agree that the root of war lies in human greed.”

Dr. João Soares Martins, Rector of Universidade Nacional Timor Lorosa’e (UNTL), commented, “Thank you for the insightful presentation today. As a national university, we follow a set curriculum, so incorporating peace education as a formal course may be difficult. However, we are willing to collaborate with HWPL to implement it as part of our extracurricular programs.” Following his remarks, UNTL signed an MOU with HWPL.

Professor Luciana from the Instituto Católico para Formação de Professores (ICFP) in Baucau, shared,

“We came from Baucau, which is about a three-hour drive from Dili. We arrived in Dili yesterday to attend this event. I learned a lot from today’s presentations. I will make sure to report what I heard today to our rector when I return.” The institution has also signed an MOU with HWPL.

 

 

At the end of the event, Mrs. Maria Filomena Lay Guterres, General Director of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Culture of Timor-Leste, stated, “Our Ministry will serve as a bridge between you and HWPL. Peace is an extremely important topic, and we hope that each higher education institution will work together with HWPL.”

Through this forum, three higher education institutions signed MOUs with HWPL to cooperate on peace education. This marks a significant step in planting the seeds of peace within Timor-Leste’s higher education landscape. It is hoped that, in the future, an educational environment will be fostered where students can internalize and practice the values of peace.