On Thursday August 20, Vice-Minister of Education, Mr. Antonio Guterres, visited a newly renovated computer lab at ETARO Masin, Pante-Makasar in Oé-Cusse to observe a ten-day intensive ICT training program for 28 local students. The program commenced on August 19 and aims to promote technology and encourage technological innovation and experimentation.

It is part of a broader partnership between the Oecusse regional government (RAEOA-ZEESM TL) and the UNDP, generously supported by the Government of India through the India-UN Development Partnership Fund, to leverage ICT education and improve the quality of teaching and learning to rural schools and youth unemployment rates across the Oé-Cusse region.

The labs are a space for innovation and experimentation where students gain computer skills and learn basic computer programming and applied science. The training program encourages active learning and, by providing education on Micrisoft Office packages, basic computer programming and robotics, students will develop practical skills for using
ICT to assist with future education and employment linkages.

The ten-day program is split into three sections, focussing on different areas of ICT and concludes with a final showcase day. The first three days of the program introduce students to computer hardware and software, and word processing techniques.

The following three days are focused on email and the internet and students will work in groups to create their own open source website. In the final three days, students will learn how to build and program their own robotic structures to be controlled via an App controller from their smart phone. On the final day the students will have the opportunity to showcase and display the websites and robots they created during the training program.

Through collaboration, problem-solving and exploring new subjects of technology, the training program and ICT labs will allow students to gain confidence in their knowledge and abilities and provide access to the tools they need to succeed.

Alongside Mr. Antonio Guterres, the lab was visited by Director General of Politics, Planning and Inclusion, Ms. Odilia Martins; National Director of Social Action, Mr. Joaquim Martins; Chief Cabinet of Vice Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, Mr. Horacio B.Borromeu; National Director of Logistics, Mr. Manuel de Jesus dos Santos; Chief of the Département of Human Resources, Mr.Jacob Ribeiro; Director of Human Resources and Finance from RAEOA, Mr. Antonio Bokifai; Director Education of RAEOA, Daniel Maunu and Principal Advisor of Vice Minister of Education Youth and Sports, Regina Amaral.