Project News

From 2nd March to 20th March 2009, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) facilitated an intensive training at Hera campus for capacity development of the teaching staff of the Faculty of Engineering, UNTL. The training covered a variety of engineering background such as soil mechanics, structural engineering, electrical engineering and mechanical engineering.

Six Japanese professors started their busy schedule with a faculty meeting followed by a tour around Hera campus on the first day. By the end of the day, they were eager to start their training courses. As the training period was very short, they took a practical step in order to conduct effective training. Especially usage of laboratory equipment was one of the most important aspects of the training. On 12th March, the professors were also scheduled to make presentations in a seminar at East Timor Development Agency (ETDA). The objective of the seminar was to motivate the teaching staff to start research activities which is essential as a Faculty of Engineering since the Faculty aims at an academic institution with four years full degree. The topics of the presentation were (1) research on active noise control, (2) research on vibration of rotational axis, (3) recent research on lightning, (4) research on landslide disaster and mitigation, and (5) recent development of composite bridges in Japan. More than one hundred participants were attracted by simply-explained presentations.

One of the Japanese professors, Dr. Ken Kawamoto (Saitama University) said that “the teaching staff were very keen to study. Although capacity of the teaching staff still needs to be improved, I believe that the Faculty of Engineering would offer quality education needed by Timorese society as a center for engineering education in Timor Leste”.