UNTL Decentralization
One of the purposes of the Statute that is being drafted for the Timor Lorosa’e National University (Portuguese acronym UNTL) is to decentralize the faculties that are currently concentrated around the capital, Díli.
“As UNTL is the only State University, which has the function of contributing for the country’s development, the Council of Ministers feels it is not advisable to have a University with all the faculties in one place, in Díli. This is specially important when we are committed in decentralization, also at other levels” explains the Minister of Education, João Câncio Freitas. This project is also predicted in the National Strategic Development Plan.
Nowadays, the National University has five faculties (Social Science and Political Faculty, Engineering Faculty, Agriculture Faculty, Economy Faculty and Sciences of Education Faculty) and two courses (Medicine and Law). The Medical course is not tied with any Faculty. The same happens with the Law degree, which is under the guardianship of the Portuguese University Federation (Portuguese acronym FUP).
Seven faculties are predicted to exist: the Agriculture Faculty, the Engineering, Science and Technology Faculty, Medicine and Health Sciences Faculty, Economy and Management Faculty, Education, Arts and Humanities Faculty, Law Faculty and finally the Social Science Faculty.
It is intended for UNTL to have a Rectory in Díli, but where regional centres are created. Thus, João Câncio Freitas concludes, “the regional centres will also contribute not only for the development of the regions but also for a better possibility to access a higher education.”
