Ministry of Education Promotes Artificial Intelligence Training for Technical and Vocational Education
News originally published by
Government of Timor-Leste
On October 28th, 2026, at the National Institute for the Training of Teachers and Education Professionals (INFORDEPE – acronym in Portuguese) in Dili, the Government of Timor-Leste, through the Ministry of Education and in cooperation with the Government of the Republic of Korea, held the International Seminar on Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transition in Technical and Vocational Education and Training. The seminar aimed to promote the integration of emerging technologies into the education system and to strengthen the digital competencies of national teachers and technical staff.
The opening session was presided over by the Secretary of State for General Secondary Education and Technical-Vocational Secondary Education, Domingos Lopes Lemos, and attended by a delegation from the Republic of Korea, led by Young Saing Kim, Secretary-General of the East Asia Summit Technical and Vocational Education and Training (EAS TVET) Cooperation Network, affiliated with the Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training (KRIVET).
The seminar brought together approximately 250 participants, including teachers of Information Technology and Multimedia, heads of Technical Support Offices, officials from the Ministry of Education and INFORDEPE, heads of educational institutions, and representatives of the Secretariat of State for Vocational Training and Employment (SEFOPE – acronym in Portuguese).
The initiative builds on the ongoing cooperation between the Ministry of Education and South Korean institutions, following the official visit of Secretary of State Domingos Lopes Lemos to the Republic of Korea on September 8th and 9th, 2026. During that visit, the Timorese delegation met with representatives from the South Korean Ministry of Education and KRIVET to review technical and vocational education practices tailored to labour market needs.
At the opening of the seminar, Domingos Lopes Lemos emphasised the need to equip national human resources to keep pace with technological advancement and to promote the use of digital tools in education and vocational training.
“Digital transformation and Artificial Intelligence are not merely modern topics or appealing slogans. They represent new capabilities that can enhance educational quality, narrow the gap between schools and the labour market, and equip Timorese youth with the knowledge and skills required in the 21st century,” he stated.
The Secretary of State also urged participants to share the knowledge gained with fellow teachers and students to broaden the use of new technologies in schools across the country.
During the seminar, educational practices and models from the Republic of Korea were presented, with a specific focus on Meister High School and Asan Smart Factory High School, highlighting how artificial intelligence, robotics, and automation are integrated into learning processes and TVET curricula.
The sessions further examined the applications, benefits, and risks of AI in education, as well as the need to train teachers to guide students in the responsible use of digital tools.
Under this cooperation framework, the Ministry of Education plans to establish an Artificial Intelligence and Digital Education Centre within the complex housing the four technical schools in Becora, Dili, to support teacher and student training and to foster digital skills development. The proposal was originally presented during the official visit to the Republic of Korea in September.
According to Ministry of Education data, Timor-Leste currently operates 33 public technical secondary schools, with more than 9,000 students enrolled across 19 fields of study, including information technology, mechanics, agriculture, tourism, and construction.
The seminar forms part of government efforts to enhance the quality of technical and vocational education, cultivate a skilled workforce, and align student competencies with market demands through international cooperation and digital integration.
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