New Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports (MECYS) of Timor Leste, His Excellency, Dr. Joao Cancio Freitas, says there is an urgent need for more highly trained human resources who could assist in the development of agriculture and fisheries sectors of the country.

H.E. Minister Dr. Joao Cancio
Freitas (left) receives SEARCA
institutional token from Dr. Editha
C. Cedicol (center),while Dr. Abrao
dos Santos (right) looks on.

Freitas relayed this sentiment to Dr. Editha C. Cedicol of SEARCA last November 9, 2007 in Dili. Cedicol was in Dili to interview Timorese candidates for SEARCA’s scholarship for school year 2008-2009.

SEARCA draws its scholarship funds from many partners; among them, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) which for years has been faithfully supporting the scholarships of most Timorese scholars.

MECYS Director of Higher Education, Dr. Abrao dos Santos  and Vice-Rector for International Relations of National University of Timor Leste, Dr. Aurelio Da Guterres emphasized that at present, Timor Leste needs more lecturers and researchers.  Dr. Guterres joined Dr. Cedicol as the Ministry’s representative in interviewing 18 candidates for the scholarship.

Dr. Aurelio da Gutteres (middle) and
Dr. Editha C. Cedicol interview
candidate for scholarship