Dili, 11 October 2024 – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the European Union (EU) proudly celebrated the recent Public Finance Postgraduate Programme graduates, delivered by ISCTE—University of Lisbon, at a ceremony held at Hotel Timor, in Dili.

The PRO PALOP-TL, funded by the European Union and administered by UNDP, provides a pioneering course in Timor-Leste, the Public Finance Postgraduate Program, delivered by ISCTE - University of Lisbon. This program has significantly contributed to the professional development of the country's workforce by providing civil servants and public administration professionals the opportunity to develop advanced skills in public finance management, which are essential to address complex national challenges. 

On Friday, October 11th, 17 graduates received their certifications reflecting the internationally recognized qualifications gained. These graduates come from diverse sectors of Timor-Leste's public administration, including the Ministry of Finance, the Court of Auditors, the National Parliament, the Anti-Corruption Commission, and civil society organizations.

The event celebrated the achievements of the program's graduates and marked the official launch of a new Master's Program in Public Finance offered by ISCTE—University of Lisbon. This new program, exclusively available to civil servants in Timor-Leste, aims to develop expertise in key areas critical to effectively managing public finances.

In his speech, Mr. Bruno Lencastre, UNDP Timor-Leste Chief Technical Advisor and Team Leader for the implementation of Pro-Palop-TL project in Timor-Leste, emphasized the vital role of continuous education for public sector modernization. 

Mario Machado, the EU representative at the event, highlighted the opportunity this activity represents for the beneficiaries and public institutions in East Timor and urged the beneficiary institutions of the PALOP-TL program to make the most of the project's activities, now beginning a new phase of implementation.

This graduation and the introduction of the master's program underscore the unwavering joint commitment of UNDP and EU to supporting the professionalization and modernization of Timor-Leste's public sector.