- The President of Timor-Leste will be visiting UNSW Sydney on Tuesday 8 October.
- The University’s focus is to help support the people of Timor-Leste in advancing their development goals, 25 years on from independence.
UNSW Sydney is delighted to welcome Timor-Leste’s President Dr. José Ramos-Horta to UNSW Sydney.
During the visit on Tuesday 8 October, the President will meet with UNSW senior leadership and participate in a number of forums on social justice, human rights and legal issues, as well as important discussions relating to water and food security and economic empowerment.
UNSW Acting Vice-Chancellor and President, Provost Vlado Perkovic, said the visit is an opportunity to consolidate the deep commitment and long-standing relationship between the University and Timor-Leste, helping to achieve positive societal benefits.
“UNSW remains committed to playing a key role in Timor-Leste, and we look forward to working together with our colleagues across the Timor Sea to address critical challenges. A quarter of a century after independence, UNSW celebrates the remarkable progress Timor-Leste has made. The country has shown great resilience, and stands as a remarkable example for Australia and the global community,” he said.
Dr. George Varughese, Director of the Institute for Global Development at UNSW, said that he anticipates additional opportunities for UNSW to support the President’s vision for Timor-Leste and the region.
“Over the past two years, UNSW has had several interactions with the President on projects he considers vital for progress and change in Timor-Leste. It is wonderful to be able to host Dr Ramos-Horta and to have UNSW scholars and students update him on these activities,” he said.
Speaking about UNSW’s determination to work on a greater scale for global good, Professor Colin Grant, UNSW Deputy Vice-Chancellor Global, said that “UNSW stands as a global research and education leader, committed to working with trusted partners to support community-driven outcomes throughout the region and beyond.”
Dr José Ramos-Horta has been involved with UNSW since 1989 when he founded the University’s Diplomacy Training Program. Today the program is flourishing and continues to be hosted by UNSW’s Faculty of Law and Justice.
The University also has a number of other engagements with Timor-Leste, including performing an advisory role to diplomatic missions and the United Nations, University researchers supporting the strengthening of Timor-Leste’s public health systems, and developing new partnerships with Timorese organisations such as Permatil which is leading vital work on water conservation.
A Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Dr Ramos-Horta is best known for his relentless advocacy for Timor-Leste’s independence and human rights. In 2022, Ramos-Horta was re-elected as President of Timor-Leste, marking his second term in office.
