On May 20th, 2026, President José Ramos-Horta, accompanied by Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for a residence for female Timorese students in Dili, an initiative supported by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) through President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. 
During the ceremony, a memorandum of understanding was also signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Bendito dos Santos Freitas, and the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Indonesia and non-resident Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Abdulla Salem Al Dhaheri, to implement the “Housing and Social Facilities Project for Female Students” in Timor-Leste.
Australian Vice-Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Richard Donald Marles also attended the ceremony, alongside members of the Government, representatives of State institutions, the diplomatic corps, and international guests.
The project involves constructing residential facilities to accommodate up to 300 female university students from vulnerable families and various municipalities across the country, with the aim of supporting access to higher education in Dili, particularly for young women pursuing fields such as science, technology, medicine, economics, and information technology.
According to Ambassador Abdulla Salem Al Dhaheri, the initiative reflects the United Arab Emirates’ commitment to sustainable development, education, and humanitarian cooperation.
“This important initiative benefits from the generous guidance and support of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, whose visionary leadership continues to place great emphasis on sustainable development, education, and humanitarian cooperation worldwide.”
The President of the Republic noted that the project arose from concerns about the precarious living conditions faced by many East Timorese female students who had moved to Dili to pursue their university studies. He also emphasised that the residential complex was designed as a modern facility incorporating technological and environmental solutions, including solar energy, rainwater collection and treatment systems, wastewater recycling, and circular-economy principles.
The residence will include a library, study rooms, a dining hall, a health clinic, and green spaces, to provide an environment conducive to students’ academic and personal development.
“Today is a day of hope and progress for the young women of Timor-Leste. Education is the most powerful tool for changing the world, and for our daughters to succeed, they must be able to learn safely and with dignity.”
President José Ramos-Horta also highlighted the strengthening of bilateral relations between Timor-Leste and the United Arab Emirates and welcomed the UAE’s intention to establish an embassy in Dili.
The project is scheduled for completion in 2027 and will be built on a site adjacent to the Nicolau Lobato Presidential Palace. It forms part of the bilateral cooperation between Timor-Leste and the United Arab Emirates in the areas of education, institutional capacity-building, and development.