The Philippines and Timor-Leste signed a new higher education cooperation agreement, opening more pathways for students, faculty, and researchers in study, training, academic mobility, and research.
Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairperson Shirley Agrupis and Timor-Leste Vice Prime Minister and Acting Minister of Higher Education, Science and Culture Mariano Assanami Sabino Lopes signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Enhanced Academic Cooperation at the Higher Education Partnerships Conference (HEPCON) 2026 in Cebu City on Thursday, Oct. 1.
The agreement establishes a broader framework for cooperation between the countries in academic mobility, scholarships, research, quality assurance, curriculum development, credit transfer, and partnerships between higher education and research institutions.
“For Timor-Leste, Philippine higher education institutions can provide additional pathways for advanced study and professional training, including in medicine and other health-related fields. For the Philippines, the partnership creates opportunities for our institutions to expand research collaboration, faculty and student mobility, and engagement with Timorese institutions,” Chairperson Agrupis said.
Also present were Timor-Leste Ambassador to the Philippines Marciano Octavio Garcia da Silva and officials and university leaders from Timor-Leste, including National University of Timor-Leste Rector Prof. Dr. Joviano António da Costa and Pro-Rector for Cooperation Affairs Dr. Cristovão dos Reis.
The new agreement builds on nearly two decades of higher education cooperation between the Philippines and Timor-Leste. Since their 2008 academic cooperation agreement, 200 Timorese scholars have been supported to study in the Philippines, while 126 Timorese students are currently enrolled in Philippine higher education institutions.
Philippine support for Timor-Leste’s education sector extends beyond student mobility. Hundreds of Filipino educators have contributed to the education of Timorese learners, while Philippine institutions have supported teacher education, graduate training, curriculum development, research, and institutional capacity-building.
Timor-Leste’s Human Capital Development Fund supports scholarships and overseas study for Timorese learners. Under the new partnership, more Timorese scholars are expected to pursue studies in the Philippines based on priority fields to be identified by Timor-Leste. CHED will facilitate their matching with Philippine higher education institutions best suited to these priorities, subject to the respective institutions’ admission requirements.
With the agreement in place, both sides are moving toward implementation. Among the priority areas are a proposed partnership between the University of the Philippines and the National University of Timor-Leste, further study and medical training opportunities for Timorese learners and doctors, and potential cooperation with Mariano Marcos State University in scholarships, academic mobility, research, and capacity-building.
“Our priority now is implementation. Partnerships must lead to programs, programs must create opportunities, and opportunities must produce results,” Chairperson Agrupis said. (PR)
