This opens more opportunities for students, faculty, and researchers in the fields of study, training, academic mobility, and research.
During the Higher Education Partnerships Conference (HEPCON) 2026 in Cebu City lasy October 1, Philippine Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairperson Shirley Agrupis and Timor-Leste Vice Prime Minister and Acting Minister of Higher Education, Science and Culture Mariano Assanami Sabino Lopes signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
The said document is an Enhanced Academic Cooperation, which seeks to establish a broader framework for cooperation between both countries.
Specifically, according to CHED, this covers academic mobility, scholarships, research, quality assurance, curriculum development, credit transfer, and partnerships between higher education and research institutions.
Among the priority areas listed are a proposed partnership between the University of the Philippines and the National University of Timor-Leste, further study and medical training opportunities for Timorese learners and doctors, and potential cooperation with Mariano Marcos State University in scholarships, academic mobility, research, and capacity-building.
Agrupis noted, “For Timor-Leste, Philippine higher education institutions can provide additional pathways for advanced study and professional training, including in medicine and other health-related fields.”
Conversely, she also cited the gains for the Philippines, with opportunities being created for local institutions to expand research collaboration, faculty and student mobility, and engagement with Timorese counterparts.
The new agreement builds on nearly two decades of higher education cooperation between the Philippines and Timor-Leste, which started with the 2008 academic cooperation agreement.
Since then, 200 Timorese scholars have been supported to study in the Philippines, while 126 Timorese students are currently enrolled in Philippine higher education institutions, CHED reported.
Moreover, Filipino educators provided education of Timorese, while Philippine institutions also supported teacher education, graduate training, curriculum development, research, and institutional capacity-building.
Timor-Leste’s Human Capital Development Fund supports scholarships and overseas study for Timorese learners.
“Under the new partnership, more Timorese scholars are expected to pursue studies in the Philippines based on priority fields to be identified by Timor-Leste,” CHED also noted.
Under this tie-up, the Commission also said that it will facilitate their matching with Philippine higher education institutions who are suited to these priorities.
