The University of Macau (UM) has nurtured two East Timorese students, Fransciso Gusmão and Zulmira da Silva, and the fruits can be seen now. Francisco, majoring in English Communication, has finally completed his undergraduate studies, becoming the first East Timorese graduate from UM, while Zulmira is about to complete her Bachelor of Law programme in Portuguese language. Besides their hard work and UM’s devotion to their education, what they have achieved today would not have been possible without the strong support from the Macao SAR Government as well as the Consulate General of Finland in Hong Kong and Macao, who provided them with a good learning environment and financial support.

Francisco Gusmão and Zulmira da Silva were two of the East Timorese students having decided to study in Macao because of the political unrest in their country. The East Timor at that time had not attained its independence, and the political situation was highly instable. A large number of refugees hence fled from the country. During that period, UM thereupon accepted 10 East Timorese students who aspired to study in Macao but had learning and financial difficulties. In order to help them to get out of the straits, UM not only remitted their tuition fees, but also arranged suitable English and Portuguese language courses for them. Subsequently, the Consulate General of Finland also provided them with financial supports, enabling them to continue their studies in Macao.

Language is the largest learning barrier for these students, because of which, eight East Timorese students have already given up their studies. There only remain Francisco and Zulmira. It is their endeavours and insistence that enabled them to achieve what they have today. They were grateful to have the opportunity to study in Macao and have the immense support from UM, allowing them to reach an important milestone in their education, and to be acquainted with classmates from different places. They were thankful for the help of UM and the Consulate General of Finland in Hong Kong and Macao in these years. They noted that they would use what has been learnt to contribute to their young nation.

Caption: (From left) Francisco Gusmão, Vice Rector (Research) of UM Prof. Rui Martins, Rector of UM Prof. Iu Vai Pan, and Zulmira da Silva