EU-supported BizConnect strengthens education–industry partnerships in Timor-Leste
Organised by the Instituto Politécnico de Timor-Leste under the EU–ASEAN Sustainable Connectivity Package – Higher Education Programme (SCOPE-HE), BizConnect provided an interactive forum for institutions and companies to identify shared priorities and explore concrete opportunities for collaboration. SCOPE-HE is funded by the European Union and implemented by Nuffic in partnership with the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).
The event was opened by H.E. Mariano Assanami Sabino, Vice Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Rural Development and Community Housing of Timor-Leste; H.E. Thorsten Bargfrede, Ambassador of the European Union to Timor-Leste; Alcino da Costa Isaac Andrade Fernandes, President of the Instituto Politécnico de Timor-Leste; Jorge Manuel Serrano, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Timor-Leste; and Dr Frank Feulner, Team Leader of SCOPE-HE.
“Timor-Leste’s young people must be equipped with skills that respond to the realities of today’s labour market and prepare them for the opportunities created by the green and digital transitions. Stronger cooperation between education and training institutions, government and the private sector is essential to ensure that learning leads to meaningful employment and contributes to the country’s sustainable development,” said H.E. Mariano Assanami Sabino, Vice Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Rural Development and Community Housing of Timor-Leste.
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“BizConnect is about creating real opportunities for young people in Timor-Leste by strengthening the link between education and employment. Today’s event is Global Gateway in action: connecting young people to skills, connecting skills to jobs, and connecting Timor-Leste to a wider regional ecosystem of cooperation and innovation. Through this initiative, the European Union is proud to support stronger partnerships between vocational and higher education institutions, industry, and government, helping to build a more inclusive, sustainable, and future-ready Timor-Leste,” said H.E. Thorsten Bargfrede, Ambassador of the European Union to Timor-Leste.
“For the Instituto Politécnico de Timor-Leste, BizConnect is an opportunity to listen directly to employers and ensure that our programmes remain relevant to the skills Timor-Leste needs. We hope today’s exchanges will lead to practical cooperation, including industry input into curricula, workplace learning and internship opportunities for our students and alumni,” said Mr Alcino da Costa Isaac Andrade Fernandes, President of the Instituto Politécnico de Timor-Leste.
The programme combined market information and company presentations with partnership-building discussions, company pitches and direct exchanges between employers, students and alumni. Participants discussed the skills and competencies needed by employers and possible cooperation on curricula, workplace learning, internships, exchanges of expertise and pathways to employment.
Labour markets across the region are being reshaped by the green transition and digital transformation. For education and training providers, closer engagement with employers can help ensure that programmes respond to changing skills needs. For businesses, cooperation with institutions offers opportunities to contribute to the development of the future workforce and connect with emerging talent.
Timor-Leste is one of five priority countries in the regional BizConnect pilot, alongside Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR and Vietnam. While the initiative has a regional ambition, each event is designed to respond to the specific needs, opportunities and labour market context of the participating country.
The Timor-Leste event brought together participants from TVET institutions and universities, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Timor-Leste, national companies, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Culture, Instituto Politécnico de Timor-Leste and SCOPE-HE. The event’s practical format encouraged participants to exchange contacts and identify realistic next steps for cooperation beyond the workshop.
By strengthening collaboration between education and industry, BizConnect contributes to SCOPE-HE’s wider objective of enhancing connectivity and cooperation in higher education and TVET across ASEAN, with particular attention to sustainable, inclusive and labour market-responsive skills development.
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About ASEAN
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was established on 8 August 1967 and constitutes eleven Member States: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Viet Nam, and Timor-Leste. On 31 December 2015, the ASEAN Community was formally established, encompassing the political-security, economic and socio-cultural pillars. The ASEAN Headquarters is based in Jakarta, Indonesia. For more information, visit https://asean.org/
About the European Union (EU)
The European Union (EU) is the economic and political union of 27 Member States. Together, since 1951, the EU has built a unique zone of stability, democracy and development while maintaining cultural diversity, tolerance and individual freedom. In its external relations, the EU is committed to uphold its values and interests, promoting peace, security and sustainable development worldwide. It seeks to strengthen solidarity and mutual respect among peoples, advancing free and fair trade, contributing to global sustainability and the safeguarding of human rights and the environment - always in full respect of international law.
The 27 Member States of the EU (in protocol order) are: Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland and Sweden.
For more information about the EU and its relations and cooperation with ASEAN, access: http://eeas.europa.eu/asean
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About Global Gateway
Global Gateway is the European strategy to boost smart, clean and secure links in digital, energy and transport sectors and to strengthen health, education and research systems across the world. The European Commission and the EU member states launched it in 2021.
Global Gateway has already mobilised more than €300 billion in investments through a Team Europe approach, bringing together the EU, its Member States and its private sector partners. It seeks a transformational impact in the digital, energy, transport, health, and education and research sectors. In line with the promotion EU’s interests and values, Global Gateway focus on smart investments in quality infrastructure, respecting the highest social and environmental standards.
For more info about Global Gateway, access: https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/policies/global-gateway/global-gateway-overview_en
About SCOPE-HE Programme
The EU-ASEAN Sustainable Connectivity Package – Higher Education (SCOPE-HE) is a collaborative initiative funded by the European Union (EU) and approved by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), running from February 2024 to January 2028 with a budget of EUR 9.3 million. Implemented by Nuffic, the Dutch organisation for internationalisation in education, in partnership with the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).
The SCOPE-HE programme focuses on enhancing exchanges and connectivity in higher education, research, and technical and vocational education and training within ASEAN and between ASEAN and the EU, with particular emphasis on the green transition, digital transformation, and the blue economy. Key activities include facilitating student and academic mobility, strengthening university networks to foster research collaboration, and improving graduate employability by connecting vocational education institutions with the private sector. Through these efforts, SCOPE-HE aims to create a more connected and dynamic higher education landscape, empowering future generations and strengthening the economic and social fabric of the region.
For more information about the SCOPE-HE programme, access: https://nuffic.nl/scope-he