Dili, October 28, 2026 — The Secretary of State for General Secondary and Technical-Vocational Education (ESG-ESTV), Domingos Lopes Lemos, Lic. Ed., MM, officially opened an international seminar this Wednesday on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the digital transition in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), held in the Ian Martin Room at INFORDEPE, in Dili.
The initiative aims to strengthen international cooperation and promote the integration of digital technologies into the technical and vocational education and training system in Timor-Leste.
The seminar is the result of a strategic partnership between the Ministry of Education of Timor-Leste and the Government of the Republic of Korea—specifically through the Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training (KRIVET) and the EAS TVET Cooperation Network. This collaboration follows an official visit by the Secretary of State for ESG-ESTV to the Republic of Korea in September 2026.
In his opening remarks, Domingos Lopes Lemos emphasized that Timor-Leste cannot remain merely an observer of global technological development; rather, it must actively participate in the digital transformation process by preparing its human resources and strengthening national capacities.
“Digital transformation and Artificial Intelligence are not just modern trends or catchy buzzwords. They represent new capabilities that can improve the quality of education, bridge the gap between schools and the labor market, and equip young Timorese with the knowledge and skills necessary for the 21st century,” he stated. The seminar brings together approximately 250 participants, including teachers in the fields of Technology and Multimedia, heads of Technical Support Offices (GAT), technical staff from the Ministry of Education and INFORDEPE, as well as representatives from relevant educational institutions.
On this occasion, the Secretary of State urged participants not merely to acquire new knowledge, but also to become multipliers of that knowledge and agents of transformation—applying and sharing the experiences they have gained with teachers and students in schools across the country.
During the seminar, participants have the opportunity to learn about experiences and best practices from the Republic of Korea, specifically the educational models implemented at Meister High School and Asan Smart Factory High School. These institutions share insights on integrating artificial intelligence, robotics, and automation into learning processes and curriculum development for technical and vocational education.
The Government of Timor-Leste, through the Ministry of Education, also reaffirms its commitment to establishing Centers for Education in Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies at four technical schools located in Becora. This initiative aims to create strategic spaces to promote digital learning, develop the skills of teachers and students, and prepare graduates to meet the demands of the labor market in the technological era.
The Ministry of Education expects this seminar to contribute to the modernization of the education system, the strengthening of technical and vocational training, and the preparation of new generations with the digital skills necessary to face future challenges and seize upcoming opportunities—all through deepened international cooperation and the exchange of experiences between Timor-Leste and the Republic of Korea.
The seminar was also attended by the Directors-General for Secondary Education, SEFOPE (Secretariat of State for Vocational Training and Employment), and Basic Education, as well as the National Directors for General Secondary Education and Technical-Vocational Secondary Education.
