One of EA Northern’s strategic priorities is to connect and build trusted relationships with our Northern neighbours. This year has seen advancement throughout a number of projects in Australia’s northern neighbour: Timor-Leste.
Last month, EA Northern partnered with the local engineering industry to lead a delegation into Timor-Leste to build on commercial, community and social development opportunities. The Delegation, aiming to open up commercial opportunities and partnerships in the NT, brought together significant industry leaders and Government representatives. (Pictured right to left: Delegation in meeting, Delegation with SenaiNT).
In the wake of the Delegation, Engineers Australia Northern was able to formalise Timor-Leste as a new regional group. The addition of the new regional group will allow members of the engineering industry in Timor-Leste to be able to network and build valuable relationships.
The occasion was celebrated by a reception at the Australian Ambassador to Timor-Leste's residence. (Pictured: Mark Monaghan and Peter Roberts, OAM).
Timor-Leste has engaged Engineers Australia’s members and industry partners to collaborate in building a local capacity for the global engineering pipeline by giving strategic advice around the requirements and nature of a dedicated institution. Timor-Leste needs its own highly skilled engineering workforce entering university and trade professions and delivering on-demand across the South East Asian region.
Mark Monaghan, General Manager of Engineers Australia Northern, has revealed the idea of an institution, “came about over a number of years where we realised if we were going to make any significant change to the community, we had to start with education. It’s the core of building community, it’s the core of self-determination”.
With education at the forefront, the project ‘Fini Baaban Bainrau’ (which translates to “Seeds of the Future”), was conceptualised. In order to bring this to life, a healthy mix of politicians, educators, business leaders, engineers, designers plus a law firm have contributed to the cause pro-bono.
Consul General for Timor-Leste, Francisco Filipe, has endorsed the project.
“The kids will be the future of this country, and they are the seeds,” he said. “If we don’t fertilise them by giving them a chance, then what chance do we have in the future?”
Thus far, a constitution has been drafted, a five-stage design plan has been created, detailed costings have been submitted and appropriate land in Timor-Leste has been donated.
