HE Ximenes sharing a light moment during the cordial meeting with UCSI.

(left-right) Senior Prof Dato’ Dr Khalid and HE Ximenes paving the way for future collaborations.

HE Dias played a pivotal role in facilitating the meeting between HE Ximenes and UCSI University.

KUALA LUMPUR: UCSI University (UCSI) recently welcomed Timor-Leste’s Vice-Minister of Education II HE Abel Da Costa Ximenes for a visit to its KL Campus. The visit aimed to explore potential collaborations between UCSI and Timor-Leste’s education sector. 

He was accompanied by HE José António Amorim Dias, the ambassador of Timor-Leste to Malaysia and a delegation that comprised of government officials as well as academic and business representatives. They were received by UCSI’s Vice-Chancellor and President, Senior Professor Dato’ Dr Khalid Yusoff as well as senior management members. 

As the first new sovereign state of the 21st century, Timor-Leste has tremendous potential for growth and development. The way forward, according to HE Ximenes, is through education. 

“After 14 years of independence, my country has made great progress in education. We have every level of education now from pre-school to tertiary education,” he said. 

He added that the government sees education as something that is worthy of investment and Malaysia is its main country of reference. UCSI is the first private university to be visited by HE Ximenes and he credits the Embassy of Timor-Leste to Malaysia for initiating and facilitating the visit. 

During the meeting, both parties also explored areas such as student and staff mobility, reduction of bureaucracy, and joint research projects. 

According to Senior Prof Dato’ Dr Khalid, this meeting was highly welcomed by the University and paves the way for collaborations that will mutually benefit both parties. 

HE Ximenes concurred. He highlighted that UCSI’s industry collaborations were of particular interest as his country also emphasised the importance of a close academia-industry partnership. The fact that nearly 30% of UCSI’s academic staffs have a PhD was also lauded by the Vice-Minister II who said that knowledge is a university’s greatest asset. 

HE Ximenes also sent his well wishes to UCSI for reaching its 30-year milestone. 

“For an organisation to reach 30 years, it would have overcome many crises and grown from strength to strength. I wish the university continued success and may its students continue their ascent and bring glory to their alma mater,” he said.