(AseanAll)  — On October 26th, 2026, in Jakarta, Timor-Leste's Vice-Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for Social Affairs, and Acting Minister of Higher Education, Science and Culture, Mariano Assanami Sabino, met with Indonesia's Vice-Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Fauzan, to discuss strengthening cooperation between the two countries in higher education, scientific research, and human resource development.

The meeting, held at the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology of Indonesia, addressed human resource development, joint research, student exchanges, and capacity building for higher education institutions in both countries.

According to data released by the Indonesian Ministry, more than 5,700 Timorese students are currently enrolled in higher education institutions across Indonesia. Institutional cooperation between the two nations encompasses university partnerships, joint research, and academic staff and student exchanges, facilitated by various scholarship programmes and higher education partnerships.

During the meeting, opportunities were discussed for developing joint research projects in health, fisheries, and biodiversity—including studies on disease prevention, aquatic resources, and endemic species—to advance scientific knowledge and support the development needs of both nations.

Both sides also addressed strengthening academic staff capacity, career progression in academia, and student mobility.

A further topic of discussion concerned administrative procedures for international students, including visa processing and study-related residence permits.

The meeting also covered updating the Memorandum of Understanding between Indonesia and Timor-Leste in the Field of Higher Education, which is scheduled to expire in 2027, to ensure the continuity of bilateral cooperation, particularly in the context of Timor-Leste's accession to ASEAN.

This meeting builds on ongoing contacts between institutions in both countries, including the Vice-Prime Minister's visit to Brawijaya University in Malang on October 4th and 5th, during which two memoranda of understanding were signed in higher education, scientific research, and rural development.