Timor Leste - History & Background
Timor Leste - Transition Challenges
Dili Institute of Technology
Dili
Dili
Timor Leste DIT Aimutin Campus
Darwin
History
Former Portuguese Colony for over 400 years Indonesian Occupation 1974 – 1999 Independence in 2002 Political Crisis 2006
Social
Most adults above 30 have lost everything 2-3 times Suffered tremendous violence in last 40 years High Poverty – 41% Under UN Poverty Line
High Birth Rate – 5.5 to 6.5 Children Per Woman
Social (Con’t)
Majority under 21 Years
Low Literacy Rate: ~50% (Controversial) Language Debate: Tetun / Portugues / Indonesian / English
Employment
Unemployment at 3.6% But.... 25% jobs from government
10% jobs from NGO sector 50% under 20 considered to be “idle” Many underemployed (definition of employment)
Economic Factors
Petroleum dependent - over 90% government budget Petroleum will be depleted 20 – 30 years 80% state & 90% aid expenditures leave the country Under 10% of 2011 state budget for health / education Infrastructure challenges Poor roads Unreliable electricity (frequently off 50% daylight hours in dili) New, nationwide electricity system under construction Poor access to clean water
Majority Under 21
Security
Development 5% 3%
Other 5%
$1.3 Billion Total
Benefits 16%
Infrastructure 52%
Education 3%
Health 6%
Governance 10%
What Priority? What Intensity?
Adapted From Lao Hamutu
Small Country – Small Population
Financial Resources - Government Not Poor
Strategic Location
Natural Resources & Beauty
People – Proud / Young Population
Bi-Lateral & Multi-Lateral Partnerships
Unique History & Cultural Identity
Background & History of DIT
DIT Challenges
Opportunities For Success
Opened in 2002 After Independence Opened 22nd October 2002 Private, Non Profit Independent from government Initially formed to focus on offering high quality vocational & bachelor programs with a technical focus Civil, Computer, Tourism, Business, Education Main campus in Dili, additional locations in Oeccusse and Bacau Attracts students from all backgrounds – not exclusive
Political Crisis of 2006 /2007 Closed from May 2006 to October 2006 Forced to Re-establish School and Find Another Campus Location Many Partnerships lost – Particularly Volunteers Many staff changes Large numbers of students lost
Dili
New DIT Aimutin Campus
Old DIT Bairo Pite Campus
Civil Engineering / Hospitality Training
Automotive Trades
Petroleum Studies / Language Centre
Classrooms
Library / Classrooms
Learning Resources Laboratories References in appropriate language What Language? Poor IT infrastructure
Email not widely used No intranet Poor internet access
Physical infrastructure reliability
Unreliable electricity – no generator
Tetum
Indonesian
Portuguese
English
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
Books Available By Language
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
Student Comprehension
100%
Weak Culture of Institution Research Need more training / socialization of concept for staff
Put logic into curriculum design – What do our customers need? Faculty Capacity Teachers of Engineering - > Engineers that Teach Motivations – What is in it for us? Faculty overloaded: Teaching faculty have other, time consuming admin. jobs New trimester system Faculty up-skilling
Maintaining Academic Integrity Good academic standards now
Pressure to graduate more students / Especially Engineering Semester / Trimester Debate
Organizational Management
Improve Planning – Frequently Operate in Emergency Mode Faculty overloaded with administration duties Need to improve capacity to leverage partnerships
Weak primary / secondary education systems
Poor competence in basic math & science
Students from modest economic background
Poor access to information resources
Academic work ethic
Transparency Small / Private - Low Beauracracy Good faculty commitment / competence Opportunity & Capacity to innovate External resources / partnerships Supportive industry Spirit of the people
www.ewb.org.au www.dit-tl.net www.laohamutuk.org