23 December 2004
A Charles Darwin University project to rehabilitate the agriculture faculty of the National University of Timor Leste and help re-develop its agricultural curriculum has been praised by the Australian Governor-General, Major General Michael Jeffery.
Charles Darwin University was commissioned with the job of reconstructing the agricultural laboratories and facilities at the National University’s farm located at Hera, 12km east of Dili. The facilities were destroyed in the post election violence of 1999.
The Governor-General inspected the new buildings at the National University on 11 December and remarked upon the achievement and cooperation that is being devoted to the project.
“This building we are in represents a partnership between many different players, both here and in Australia. With the involvement of the National University of Timor Leste it shows how we are focusing on building the capacity of this young country for the future,” the Governor-General said.
Funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, Charles Darwin University is undertaking the project in collaboration with Curtin University and the University of Queensland.
“The building cost $250,000 to reconstruct and new equipment has been supplied for the laboratories. Equipment has also been donated equipment from Charles Darwin University, Energy Resources of Australia Ltd’s Ranger Mine at Jabiru and Curtin University,” said Tania Paul, project officer and horticultural lecturer at Charles Darwin University.
“The project is particularly remarkable as the reconstruction of the labs and facilities on the farm was completed with a tight budget yet achieved great results.”
While construction work - including road works, flood mitigation and the provision of a coaster bus and Hilux ute to transport staff and students - was completed in December 2003, the project has received additional funding to develop the agricultural curriculum with the faculty including staff development and training.
“Our work, which is funded until December 2005, is currently focused on curriculum development using the skill of the three Universities involved. This will continue to include staff exchanges on laboratory development, equipment training and curriculum development.
“Early next year, Animal Science lecturers from the National University will work in collaboration with David Ffoulkes at Charles Darwin University’s NT Rural College in Katherine to design new units of study as well as getting some hands on experience,” Ms Paul said.
The agriculture faculty re-development project is one facet of greater links being established between Charles Darwin University and the National University of Timor Leste.
At a ceremony held in Dili last week, twelve postgraduate students were congratulated for completing a new graduate certificate on applied Social Science methods offered in Dili by Charles Darwin University.
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