Estevao Nuno – The Ministry of Education will permit the Catholic Church to open a privately managed university in Timor-Leste, provided it fulfills a list of criteria set by the government.

Ministry of Education co-operative work general director Antonio Pires said the church must commit to providing buildings, facilities and courses which measure up to government standards.

He gave his support to the project. "The church has opened many schools and is well-qualified," he said.

The church had successfully run all types of schools, from kindergartens to universities, he said. He said he believed the Balide facility would serve students well.

Pires said while he had not been provided specifics of the Catholic Church's plan, they would be required to abide by Ministry rules. The Ministry would gladly give its approval to the school should those criteria be fulfilled, he said.

Catholic Church representative Pastor Guilhermino da Silva said construction had begun and was progressing well. "In the past we've had difficulties securing land for the facility but that's been resolved and construction has begun," he said.

Construction was scheduled to be complete by November but delays caused by lengthy negotiations and financial issues meant the facility is more likely to be ready in March next year.

Pastor da Silva said the bill for the project was footed by the diocese, the Timor-Leste government and foreign donors.

The project had gone over budget, he said. "I don't know how much (has been spent) but definitely it has been too much," he said.

University of Timor Lorosa'e student Liborio Pinto said praised the Catholic Church for seeking to open a Timor-Leste university.

"This is an improvement as many students leave to study overseas as they say universities in this country are not qualified," he said. He said he hoped the new university would raise education standards.

Source: http://www.thediliweekly.com/en/news/news/12826-catholic-university-gets-conditional-go-ahead