Acting Minister of Higher Education, Science and Culture Launches New History and Psychology Programmes at UNTL
On October 15th, 2026, the Vice Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for Social Affairs, and Acting Minister of Higher Education, Science and Culture, Mariano Assanami Sabino, attended the launch of new degree programmes and the Departments of History and Psychology at the Faculty of Philosophy and Humanities (FFCH – acronym in Portuguese) of the National University of Timor Lorosa’e (UNTL – acronym in Portuguese). The ceremony was held in the Ian Martin Hall at INFORDEPE (acronym in Portuguese) in Dili as part of the Faculty’s 11th-anniversary celebrations.
The new programmes expand the Faculty’s academic offerings, which for a long time centred on philosophy. The expansion into History and Psychology creates new opportunities for specialised training and for scientific research.
During the ceremony, the Vice Prime Minister congratulated UNTL and the Faculty of Philosophy and Humanities on establishing the two new degree programmes and reaffirmed the Government’s support for improving the quality of higher education and for strengthening academic integration within ASEAN.
This approach is part of the 9th Constitutional Government's programme, which prioritises human capital development by improving the quality of and access to education to foster national social and economic development.
In his remarks, Mariano Assanami Sabino also highlighted the role of History education in shaping future generations, noting that historical knowledge helps us understand our origins, strengthens our identity, and charts a course for the future.
The Rector of UNTL, Joviano António da Costa, emphasised that developing the History and Psychology departments creates new opportunities for specialised training and research, aligned with lecturers’ qualifications and curricula tailored to Timor-Leste’s needs.
The Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy and Humanities, Faustino Soares, noted that the launch of the new programmes expands the Faculty’s academic offerings and strengthens the humanities’ presence in higher education in Timor-Leste.
The ceremony was also attended by the Director of the UNESCO Regional Office in Jakarta, Maki Katsuno-Hayashikawa; UNESCO representatives in Timor-Leste; UNTL officials; representatives from partner institutions; and faculty members, researchers, staff, and students.
On the same occasion, UNTL and the Centro Nacional Chega! signed a cooperation agreement covering curriculum development, teaching resources, and joint research, with a focus on the new History and Psychology programmes.
The cooperation provides, among other areas, support for the Department of History within the Faculty of Philosophy and Humanities to integrate content on history, human rights, transitional justice, and peace education into teaching and learning processes.
With the launch of the Departments of History and Psychology, the Faculty of Philosophy and Humanities broadens its academic offerings in the humanities.
