Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) Rector, Professor Ova Emilia, visited Timor-Leste and met with President José Ramos-Horta on Thursday, Mar. 20, 2025, in Dili. This UGM delegation aimed to strengthen international networks and strategic cooperation in education, teaching, research, and community service.
The meeting, attended by Indonesia’s Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Okto Dorinus Manik, former Norwegian Ambassador Todung Mulya Lubis, and Advisory Board member Heny Yulianto, included key UGM representatives such as Vice-Rector for Education and Teaching, Professor Wening Udasmoro, Director of Education and Teaching, Professor Gandes Retno Rahayu, and Head of the Strategic Management Bureau, Dr. Wirastuti Widyatmanti.
During the meeting, the rector affirmed UGM’s commitment to collaborating with the Timor-Leste government in education through the university’s three pillars.
This includes student selection programs for Timor-Leste candidates in Dili, promoting youth literacy and fostering tolerance and peace.
Discussions also explored collaboration opportunities for community service initiatives involving UGM and universities in Dili.
“The goal is to develop impactful programs for society, particularly in education, health, and sustainable development. One key initiative is the Community Service Program (KKN) to enhance local welfare in Timor-Leste,” said Rector Emilia.
Rector Emilia expressed her hope that this meeting would mark a significant step toward equitable access to quality higher education for Timor-Leste’s people, especially in providing learning opportunities for youth across various disciplines.
She added that cooperation between UGM and Timor-Leste institutions is expected to create better educational opportunities and strengthen the exchange of knowledge, research, and human resource development in both countries.
“We hope this collaboration will have a real positive impact, both in the short and long term. We want to ensure that these initiatives are sustainable, with concrete collaborative programs such as student and faculty exchanges, joint research, and curriculum development tailored to Timor-Leste’s development needs,” Rector Emilia noted.
President José Ramos-Horta expressed his deep appreciation for UGM’s continuous support in improving human resources in Timor-Leste.
He emphasized the significance of UGM’s role in education, training, and capacity-building for Timor-Leste’s youth, equipping them with the skills and knowledge necessary to face global challenges.
He also thanked UGM for expanding access to quality education and supporting initiatives to enhance Timor-Leste’s academic and professional competitiveness.
President Ramos-Horta highlighted the importance of sustaining this cooperation to benefit more individuals and contribute to the nation’s socio-economic development.
“We are committed to helping UGM strengthen its international network and open more academic and research collaboration opportunities that benefit both parties. Hopefully, this joint effort will benefit Timor-Leste and enrich the experience and insight of UGM’s academic community, allowing us to grow together and inspire each other for a better future,” he said optimistically.
Todung Mulya Lubis emphasized the need to follow up on this strategic meeting through UGM’s Annual Lecture program, an esteemed academic initiative aimed at broadening intellectual perspectives for students, academics, and stakeholders in the region.
This program is expected to be a platform for scientific discussions and a space for sharing direct experiences from world-class thinkers and innovators, particularly Nobel laureates from Asia.
By featuring influential figures from various fields, such as science, economics, and peace, the program aims to provide new insights, inspire the youth in Indonesia and Timor-Leste, and foster future leaders who will contribute to global development.
Author: Triya Andriyani
Post-editor: Lintang
Photograph by: Strategic Management Bureau