Dili, 12 Jullu 2026 - Ministériu Edukasaun Repúblika Demokrátika Timor-Leste ho sentimentu orgullu no agradesimentu kle'an hato'o ba públiku katak Timor-Leste konsege rejista prestasaun istóriku iha área edukasaun sientífika iha nivel rejionál.
Iha partisipasaun ba kompetisaun 11ª _ASEAN Plus Three Junior Science Odyssey_ ka APT-JSO 2026, ekipa estudante Ensinu Báziku na'in 6 ne'ebé reprezenta nasaun konsege lori fila mai Timor-Leste iha loron 13 Jullu 2026 prestasaun ne'ebé makaas: *1 Medalla Ouro, 3 Medalla Prata, 2 Medalla Bronse, no 5 Prémiu Espesiál*.
Kompetisaun internasionál ba joven sientista sira ne'e hala'o ho susesu iha _Clark Freeport Zone_, Pampanga, Repúblika Filipina, durante loron 5, hahú husi loron 6 to'o loron 10 Jullu 2026. APT-JSO rekoñesidu hanesan kompetisaun sientífiku joven prestijiozu liu iha rejiaun Ázia Sudeste no Ázia Leste, ne'ebé partisipa husi nasaun 10 membru ASEAN no nasaun parseiru 3: Repúblika Popular Xina, Japaun no Korea Súl.
*I. KONTEKSTU NO PROSESU SELESAUN*
Partisipasaun Timor-Leste iha APT-JSO 2026 ne'e sai rezultadu husi kompromisu Governu liuhusi Ministériu Edukasaun atu kontinua investe iha dezenvolvimentu rekursu umanu iha área siénsia no teknolojia.
Prosesu seleksaun hahú iha inísiu tinan 2026 ho teste nasionál ne'ebé envolve estudante sira husi eskola hotu iha Munisípiu 13. Hafoin prosesu rigorozu iha nivel eskola, munisípiu no nasionál, estudante 6 di'ak liu mak selesionadu hodi reprezenta nasaun.
Atu asegura preparasaun ne'ebé di'ak, Ministériu Edukasaun fasilita treinamentu intensivu durante fulan 4 ba ekipa. Treinamentu ne'e inklui koñesimentu teoretiku, prátika laboratóriu, no kapasitasaun ba inovasaun sientífika ho apoiu husi profesór espesialista no mentór sira.
*II. KOMPOZISAUN EKIPA NASIONÁL*
Ekipa ofisiál ne'ebé saran naran Timor-Leste iha palku rejionál kompostu husi:
*A. Estudante Sira:*
1. _Alandrinho Corbafo Caunan_ - Kolejiu Paulo VI, Munisípiu Dili
2. _Angelica da Costa Sequeira_ - EBC Bidau Akadiruhun, Munisípiu Dili
3. _Mendelina del Carmen Mascarenhas_ - EBC 30 de Agostu, Munisípiu Dili
4. _Nelia Patricio Soares_ - EBC São Pedro, Munisípiu Dili
5. _Peter Carlos Chima Anaje_ - EBC São José Operário, Munisípiu Dili
6. _Salvador da Costa Pacheco_ - EBC Esperança da Pátria, Munisípiu Dili
*B. Profesora Mentora no Akompañante:*
1. _Alegrina de Jesus_ - EBC Akadiruhun
2. _Helena de Sousa Amara_ - EBC Esperança da Pátria
Ministériu Edukasaun hato'o agradesimentu kle'an ba profesora mentora rua, ba dirijente eskola sira, ba inan-aman sira, no ba parseiru hotu ne'ebé fó apoiu tomak ba susesu ekipa nian.
*III. TEMA KOMPETISAUN NO PROSESU AVALIASAUN*
Tinan 2026, APT-JSO mai ho tema _“Climate Action and Responsible e-Innovation for Sustainability (ASEAN+3 Cares)”_. Tema ne'e reflete importánsia asaun klimátika globál no nesesidade atu promove inovasaun ne'ebé responsável hodi asegura futuru sustentável.
Durante kompetisaun, estudante sira avalia iha faze 4 prinsipál:
1. _Teste Teóliku_: Avaliasaun ba koñesimentu iha área fízika, kímika, biolojia no siénsia ambientál.
2. _Teste Prátiku Laboratóriu_: Teste ba abilidade téknika, presizaun no aplikasaun teoria iha esperiénsia reál.
3. _Kompetisaun Inovasaun Grupu_: Dezafiu atu fó solusaun kriativu ba problema ne'ebé fó de repente.
4. _Aprezentasaun Projetu Sientífiku_: Aprezentasaun peskiza iha oin painel juis internasionál.
Aleinde kompetisaun, estudante sira mós partisipa iha diskusaun painel ho tema _"Joven nu'udar Ajente Mudansa"_ no atividade interkámbiu kulturál.
*IV. REZULTADU FINAL NE'EBÉ HETAN*
Hafoin avaliasaun ne'ebé rigorozu, justu no transparante husi juis internasionál, rezultadu finál hatudu prestasaun ne'ebé di'ak tebes husi ekipa Timor-Leste.
*A. APT-JSO Grand Awards:*
- _1 Medalla Ouro_
- _3 Medalla Prata_
- _2 Medalla Bronse_
*B. Excellence Awards ka Prémiu Espesiál:*
1. _Best in Estimating Carbon Footprint_
2. _Best in Wings of Chance Challenge_
3. _Katuklas Excellence Award_ - ba deskoberta sientífiku ne'ebé foun no orijinál
4. _Kaugnay Excellence Award_ - ba eselénsia iha serbisu hamutuk no respeitu ba kultura
5. _Kaisa Excellence Award_ - ba advokasia ne'ebé forte ba asaun klimátika
Tuir observasaun husi komisaun juis nian, ekipa Timor-Leste hatudu la'ós de'it koñesimentu sientífiku, maibé mós hanoin krítiku, kriatividade, disiplina no kompromisu forte atu kontribui ba solusaun ba dezafiu globál.
*V. POZISAUN OFISIÁL MINISTÉRIU EDUKASAUN*
Sua Exelénsia Ministra Edukasaun, _Dulce de Jesus Soares_, hato'o nia apresiasaun ba prestasaun ne'e:
_“Ami orgullu tebes ho ami-nia oan sira. Prestasaun istóriku ne'e prova ho faktu katak bainhira ami fó oportunidade ne'ebé hanesan, treinamentu ne'ebé kualidade no apoiu ne'ebé kontinua, ami-nia joven sira iha kapasidade no poténsia boot tebes atu sai lider sientífiku iha futuru. Ida ne'e la'ós de'it manán ba estudante 6 ne'e, maibé manán ba nasaun tomak.”_
Sua Exelénsia Ministra mós afirma katak susesu ne'e sei sai referénsia prinsipál ba polítika Ministériu nian iha futuru. _“Ami sei kontinua investe makaas liután ba hadi'a kualidade laboratóriu iha eskola sira, apoia hari'i klube sientífiku iha munisípiu hotu, no fó dalan ba kompetisaun barak liután ba ami-nia estudante sira.”_
*VI. SIGNIFIKADU BA DEZENVOLVIMENTU NASIONÁL*
Prestasaun ne'e iha signifikadu kle'an ba dezenvolvimentu Timor-Leste nian:
1. Prova katak edukasaun bázika ho kualidade bele prodús rekursu umanu ne'ebé kompetente no prontu ba kompetisaun globál.
2. Hatudu katak joven timoroan sira iha konsiénsia no hakarak atu sai parte ba solusaun ba dezafiu globál hanesan mudansa klimátika.
3. Hametin Timor-Leste nia pozisaun hanesan membru ativu iha komunidade ASEAN ne'ebé prontu atu aprende no kontribui.
Ho susesu ne'e, Timor-Leste la'ós de'it lori fila medalla. Nasaun ne'e mós lori fila esperiénsia, koñesimentu foun, abilidade foun, no rede kooperasaun ho joven sira husi rejiaun.
Ministériu Edukasaun kompromete atu fahe istória susesu husi Alandrinho, Angelica, Mendelina, Nelia, Peter no Salvador ba eskola sira hotu iha rai laran hodi sai hanesan motivasaun ba jerasaun foun sira.
*“EDUKASAUN HO KUALIDADE, FUTURU SUSTENTÁVEL BA TIMOR-LESTE”*
[ENGLSIH]
*PRESS RELEASE*
*MINISTRY OF EDUCATION*
*DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF EAST TIMOR*
*TIMOR-LESTE REGISTERS HISTORIC SUCCESS IN ASEAN PLUS THREE JUNIOR SCIENCE ODYSSEY COMPETITION 2026: BASIC EDUCATION STUDENTS BRING BACK 6 MEDALS AND 5 SPECIAL AWARDS*
_Dili, 12 July 2026_ — The Ministry of Education of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste with a sense of pride and deep gratitude expresses to the public that Timor-Leste has managed to register historic achievements in the area of scientific education at the regional level.
In participation in the 11th _ASEAN Plus Three Junior Science Odyssey_ or APT-JSO 2026 competition, a team of 6 Basic Education students representing the country managed to bring back to Timor-Leste on July 13, 2026 a strong performance: *1 Gold Medal, 3 Gold Medals, 2 Bronze Medals, 2 Bronze Medals 5 Special Awards*.
This international competition for young scientists was successfully held at _Clark Freeport Zone_, Pampanga, Republic of the Philippines, for 5 days, from July 6 to 10, 2026. APT-JSO is recognized as the most prestigious young scientist competition in Southeast Asia and Southeast Asia. participated by 10 ASEAN member countries and 3 partner countries: the People's Republic of China, Japan and South Korea.
*I. CONTEXT AND SELECTION PROCESS*
Timor-Leste's participation in APT-JSO 2026 is the result of the Government's commitment through the Ministry of Education to continue investing in human resource development in the area of science and technology.
The selection process begins in early 2026 with a national test involving students from all schools in the 13 Counties. After a rigorous process at the school, county and national levels, the top 6 students are selected to represent the country.
To ensure good preparation, the Ministry of Education facilitated intensive training for 4 months for the team. The training includes theoretical knowledge, laboratory practice, and capacity building for scientific innovation with the support of specialist teachers and mentors.
*II. NATIONAL TEAM COMPOSITION*
The official team that represented Timor-Leste on the regional stage consisted of:
*MAID. Students:*
1. _Alandrinho Corbafo Caunan_ - Paulo VI College, Dili Municipality
2. _Angelica da Costa Sequeira_ - EBC Bidau Akadiruhun, Dili Municipality
3. _Mendelina del Carmen Mascarenhas_ - EBC 30 August, Dili Municipality
4. _Nelia Patricio Soares_ - EBC São Pedro, Dili Municipality
5. _Peter Carlos Chima Anaje_ - EBC São José Operário, Dili Municipality
6. _Savior of the Pacheco Coast_ - EBC Hope of the Fatherland, Dili Municipality
*B. Mentor and Accompanying Teacher:*
1. _Alegrina de Jesus_ - EBC Akadiruhun
2. _Helena de Sousa Amara_ - EBC Hope of the Fatherland
The Ministry of Education expresses its deep gratitude to the two mentor teachers, school leaders, parents, and all partners who gave their full support to the success of the team.
*III. COMPETITION THEMES AND EVALUATION PROCESS*
The year 2026, APT-JSO comes with the theme _“Climate Action and Responsible e-Innovation for Sustainability (ASEAN+3 Cares)”_. The theme reflects the importance of global climate action and the need to promote responsible innovation to ensure a sustainable future.
During the competition, students are evaluated in 4 main phases:
1. _Theological Test_: Assessment of knowledge in the fields of physics, chemistry, biology and environmental science.
2. _Laboratory Practical Test_: Test of technical skill, precision and application of theory in real experience.
3. _Group Innovation Competition_: The challenge to provide a creative solution to a suddenly given problem.
4. _Scientific Project Presentation_: Research presentation in front of an international panel of judges.
In addition to the competition, students also participated in a panel discussion on the theme _"Youth as Change Agents"_ and cultural exchange activities.
*IV. FINAL RESULT OBTAINED*
After a rigorous, fair and transparent evaluation by the international judges, the final result showed a very good performance by the Timor-Leste team.
*MAID. APT-JSO Grand Awards:*
- _1 Gold Medal_
- _3 Silver Medals_
- _2 Bronze Medals_
*B. Excellence Awards or Special Awards:*
1. _Best in Estimating Carbon Footprint_
2. _Best in Wings of Chance Challenge_
3. _Katuklas Excellence Award_ - for outstanding and original scientific discoveries
4. _Kaugnay Excellence Award_ - for excellence in teamwork and respect for culture
5. _Kaisa Excellence Award_ - for strong advocacy for climate action
According to the observation of the jury, the Timor-Leste team showed not only scientific knowledge, but also critical thinking, creativity, discipline and strong commitment to contribute to solutions to global challenges.
V. MINISTRY OF EDUCATION OFFICIAL POSITION*
Her Excellency the Minister of Education, _Dulce de Jesus Soares_, expressed her appreciation for this performance:
_“We are very proud of our children. This historic achievement is proven by the fact that when we provide equal opportunities, quality training and continued support, our young people have tremendous capacity and potential to become future scientific leaders. This is not only a win for the 6 students, but a win for the entire country.”
Her Excellency the Minister also affirmed that this success will be the main reference for the Ministry's policy in the future. _“We will continue to invest more heavily in improving the quality of laboratories in schools, support the establishment of science clubs in all counties, and enable more competition for our students.”_
*VI. SIGNIFICANCE FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT*
This achievement has profound significance for the development of Timor-Leste:
1. Prove that quality basic education can produce human resources that are competent and ready for global competition.
2. Show that young Timorese are aware and want to be part of the solution to global challenges such as climate change.
3. Strengthen Timor-Leste's position as an active member of the ASEAN community ready to learn and contribute.
With this success, Timor-Leste not only brought back a medal. The country also brought back experience, new knowledge, new skills, and cooperation networks with young people from the region.
The Ministry of Education is committed to share the success stories of Alandrinho, Angelica, Mendelina, Nelia, Peter and Salvador to all schools in the country to become a motivation for the new generations.
*“QUALITY EDUCATION, SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR TIMOR-LESTE”*
