The National University of Timor Lorosa’e (UNTL) launched, on July 23, 2024, a new master’s degree course in the area of​​Public Policy. The inauguration ceremony took place at the UNTL installations, in Caicoli, and was attended by the Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, and the Rector of UNTL, João Martins. 

 The Prime Minister emphasised the importance of this new course for the development of critical and analytical skills, essential for the training of Timor-Leste’s future leaders. In his speech, he said: “UNTL’s mission is to create and train future leaders of Timor-Leste. This course is a fundamental effort in training a new generation, because our country needs qualified people to develop the country and to keep alive the dreams of our heroes.”

 Rector João Martins expressed his satisfaction with the launch of the course, highlighting that UNTL had been waiting for many years to establish such a relevant master’s program for Timor-Leste. This course will train specialists in the area of ​​public policy, who will support the Government’s decisions in the future. 

The lecturers of the Faculty of Political and Social Sciences is made up of 15 professors with doctorates, including some from international universities, such as Portugal and Indonesia. All master’s theses must be written in Portuguese and English, which is why UNTL previously organized an intensive Portuguese course, lasting three months. 

 The course, lasting two years, currently has 25 students enrolled and will be taught at night, from 8 pm to 9 pm.