CDU in East Timor as part of drive to create regional partnerships

A delegation from Charles Darwin University (CDU) will head to East Timor this week in a bid to drive strategic partnerships and degree and vocational training opportunities.

As part of the trip from June 8-10, CDU’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Scott Bowman AO and a staff delegation will meet with universities in East Timor, The Ambassador to East Timor, and key Government Ministers.

CDU Vice-Chancellor Professor Scott Bowman AO said he was keen to take a CDU delegation to East Timor to meet with universities, trainers, and government departments to build CDU’s involvement with Timor-Leste.

“As one of our closest allies, East Timor is incredibly important for us as a University,” Professor Bowman said.

“We’ll be looking to explore opportunities for Australian students with partner universities, attract international students and support the country through respect and partnership.”

Professor Bowman said a key driver of the trip would be about attracting additional international students from East Timor to study in the NT.

“There is no doubt that international students play an important role in the fabric of the Territory and our University and we’re always keen to attract more from neighbouring countries such as East Timor,” he said.

East Timor is just 686kms from Darwin and is one of Australia’s closest neighbouring countries so is strategically critical to Northern Australia.

CDU’s involvement with East Timor is diverse, supporting with education resources and research. For example, CDU researchers have written books endorsed by the Department of Education used as an education resource for children about long neck turtles.

In the field of health, Menzies Health Research has more than 50 people based in East Timor who are central to the country’s COVID response.

Professor Bowman said that this visit will continue to cement the relationship with the Territory's important neighbour.