by Ahmad Cholis Hamzah (Seasia.co Senior Advisor)
In a press release issued on November 26, 2019, the World Bank stated that the Bank supports the Government of East Timor (Timor-Leste) in transforming its natural resources into improved human capital and sustainable infrastructure, that are key elements of the World Bank Group’s latest Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for the period 2020-2024 for East Timor.
The World Bank Group’s strategy focuses on laying the foundations for personal sector-led growth, particularly in agriculture and tourism; improving the standard of public services by encouraging investment in education, health, social protection, water and sanitation; and increasing productivity by connecting communities, especially farmers, through investment in transport and digital infrastructure.
As a newly born country, Timor-Leste must strengthen critical areas akin to education and health as these are the 2 most vital issues facing the country, especially when it comes to creating human capital and improving the standard of public spending.
Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama Surabaya (UNUSA) recognizes the country’s significant issues and has expanded its strategic relationship with the East Timorese educational institution – An Nur Foundation – and offered a whole scholarship program to students wishing to pursue their studies at UNUSA. As the variety of Covid-19 cases declines, East Timorese students’ enthusiasm to check abroad is increasing. Three students took advantage of this chance and are currently studying nursing at this university. These students are well aware that UNUSA is the fastest growing institution in East Java and is affiliated with Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the biggest Indonesian Muslim organization.
As an advisor to GENUS (Global Engagement of UNUSA), the university’s academic unit liable for international cooperation activities, I even have the chance to refer to these three students. Their names are Koiru Nisa Ramos Costa, Adnan Manuel Hermansyah and Nofa Amalia Soares.
Koiru Nisa Ramos Costa and Adnan Manuel Hermanyah said they were from the town of Afabuko-Lakawa in East Timor, about an eight-hour bus ride from the capital Dili. They come from a farming family that grew rice and corn. Surprisingly, these farmers provide full support and strongly encourage them to return to Surabaya to pursue their ambition to check abroad.
There are 200 Muslims and 300 Christians living on this peaceful village and as Muslims they’re happy with the high degree of tolerance of their villages. Nisa attended highschool in one other city, Lautem-Los Palos, a four-hour drive away. Nisa is a vivid student who has been energetic in Youth of the Parliament, a youth group in Dili, since her junior highschool days, and recently participated within the International Student Forum organized by Universitas Airlangga Surabaya on April 26, 2022 (public university).
Amalia Soares comes from the village of Manatuto–Laelo, about 4 hours’ drive from Dili. She desired to change into a nurse, like Koiru Nisa and Adnan, because she saw how difficult it was to deal with her sick father. As a result, they’ve a powerful desire to change into trustworthy healthcare staff of their home country.
These three students are overjoyed because their parents are supporting them and inspiring them to check in Indonesia, like many other East Timorese teenagers who’re studying elsewhere across the country. They obtained details about scholarships from various universities; some award scholarships in various places in Indonesia, but they selected UNUSA since it offers full scholarships. They also checked out UNUSA and located that it had academic strengths within the health sciences field.
They also don’t experience any serious culture shock, as Surabaya and its persons are extremely hospitable to visitors. Their only modification is the food, because Surabaya cuisine is fiery and salty. Apart from this, there’s nothing to fret about; in actual fact, many individuals mistakenly consider that they’re Javanese because their skin color is analogous to Javanese.
prof. Ir. MSc. Achmad Jazidie, Rector of Unusa, praised the spirit of East Timorese students who’re determined to proceed their studies at Unusa. The Rector expects that more foreign students from East Timor will proceed their studies in Unusa in the longer term. “We will promote educational cooperation in East Timor and hope that many East Timorese will be able to study in Unusa because we have the same culture,” he added.
After graduating from UNUSA, these motivated students are determined to assist construct their country.
