Research alumna returns to CDU as part of fellowship

A Charles Darwin University (CDU) research alumna has returned to the University to undertake a placement as part of a prestigious fellowship supporting female agricultural researchers across the Indo Pacific.

Dr Maria Odete do Céu Guterres from Timor-Leste is a senior professional at the Timor-Leste Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries with almost 20 years of experience.

Her work has seen her direct and develop the agricultural sector in the country, including crop production, horticulture, irrigation and extension services.

Dr Guterres who holds a Master of Tropical Environmental Management and a PhD in Environmental Science and Agriculture from CDU was one of 24 women in the Indo-Pacific region to receive the Meryl Williams Fellowship this year and undertook her placement at CDU.

During her three weeks of placement Dr Guterres consulted with agricultural scientists, managers from CDU and representatives from the NT Government to have a better impact and effect in agricultural development in Timor-Leste.

“This professional placement was very fruitful for me because in my role I cover a range of things, so I learnt some new concepts and ways of working particularly from an economic perspective and learning how to build human capital in the agriculture sector,” Dr Guterres said.

"I also got some tips on how to engage with institutions in the future that will help us to develop the agricultural sector in Timor-Leste."

"I learnt how to improve leaderships programs and how to deal with different research institutions from different countries and how to negotiate with different entities for a bilateral cooperation in agricultural development."

Dr Guterres said she chose CDU as the host university for her placement due to her familiarisation with the University and the quality of academics.

"CDU has so many wonderful researchers who work very closely with the agricultural sector in northern Australia, I was excited to learn from them and how we could apply this in Timor-Leste."

On being awarded the Meryl Williams Fellowship, Dr Guterres said it was important for women to have this opportunity to further their skill sets.

"This Fellowship offers women in the agriculture sector to obtain access to resources and decision making, learn how to build professional networking in a collaborative way, it supports career progression and gender equality," Dr Guterres said.

"It is wonderful to be a part of this fellowship and interact with women from other countries and learn from them as well."

The prestigious Meryl Williams Fellowship supports female agricultural researchers across the Indo-Pacific to improve their leadership and management skills.

The Fellowship aims to contribute to more secure food systems and drive institutional progress toward gender equity.

This story was originally published in CDU Uni News November 2023 edition