Developing Higher Education in Timor-Leste: A Work in Progress

Abstract

Since Timor-Leste achieved its independence in 2002, the higher education sector has grown from 1 public university to 18 accredited and 3 pending accreditation tertiary institutions. This chapter discusses several key issues, particularly concerning the young people who make up more than half the 1.2 million population. As each year passes, more students complete secondary school, and the majority of these young people want to continue their studies in a tertiary institute. Other issues confronting the higher education sector, including how the government of Timor-Leste responds to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4, how to increase quality education in the tertiary sector and the capacity for further academic progression for faculty and staff are addressed in light of the lack of qualified and appropriate staffing in institutions. The needs of the labor market and the mismatch between these needs and the degrees that tertiary institutions offer, are briefly discussed. Finally, the difficulties faced by higher education institutions in meeting the requirements for accreditation in the drive for membership of ASEAN are reviewed.

Citation

Beck, M. (2024), "Developing Higher Education in Timor-Leste: A Work in Progress", Pe Symaco, L. (Ed.) Higher Education in Southeast Asia (International Perspectives on Education and Society, Vol. 49), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 139-150. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1479-367920240000049010