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Díli, 25/11/2024: The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Culture, in collaboration with the Office of the Presidential Palace, continues to organize activities promoting science and technology under the SCI-TECH 2024 program, now in its second edition. Currently, the Public Speaking Competition in Portuguese is taking place, aimed at university students, in the CNE Hall in Díli.
The purpose of this activity is to continue the SCI-TECH Expo 2024 program by promoting tourism through science and technology, an initiative by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Timor-Leste, Dr. José Ramos Horta. An additional focus is the use of the Portuguese language in the speeches, as a way to promote its role as Timor-Leste’s official language in higher education.
SCI-TECH 2024 has already featured various activities since August, including an international seminar with award-winning speakers in the fields of science and technology. Additionally, an exhibition was held, and future activities will include more competitions for students in related fields.
The central theme of the competition is “Science, Technology, and Innovation: Pathways to Transformation and Sustainable Development in Timor-Leste”, with the following subthemes: 1. Capacity Building in Scientific and Technological Education, 2. Technological Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the Rural Sector, and Digital Infrastructure.
The competition has a total of 26 participants from 14 Higher Education Institutions across the country. The activity spans two days, from November 25 to 26, 2024, with a jury panel comprising Portuguese Language trainers from the Ministry and representatives from the Presidential Office.
The event was officially opened by the Head of the DNCT Department, representing the National Director of Science and Technology, Ms. Ana Viegas, and welcomed the participation of students and representatives from various Higher Education Institutions.
