The Timorese Catholic University (Universidade Católica Timorense – UCT) St John Paul II celebrated on March this year the achievement of Level “A” (the highest level) of its Institutional Accreditation from the National Agency for Academic Assessment and Accreditation (ANAAA) for a period of 5 years. This recognition was officially awarded on March 10th, 2025, by National Accreditation Body ANAAA following last year’s documents assessment and 2 days of comprehensive on-site work at UCT in July 2024. This announcement not only recognized UCT as officially achieving highest institutional-level accreditation under the Timor-Leste national standards for a period of 5 years, but also marks a significant milestone of the only Catholic University’s commitment to run and maintain the highest standards of education in Timor-Leste.
Rector of UCT Frei Prof. Dr. Joel Casimiro Pinto, OFM considered the announcement as an important seal of trust and prestige that underscores UCT’s position as a leading institution in educational advancements in Timor-Leste and its continuous effort to enhance academic and professional opportunities for its faculty and students. “With this accomplishment UCT not only sees its commitment to quality and innovation in higher education nationally recognized, but also strengthens its position at the top of higher education institutions in Timor-Leste, propelling it to new levels of success in terms of programmatic accreditation in the near future as well as foreseen regional and global recognition in the medium and long run,”says Rector Joel Casimiro Pinto.
Driven by its commitment to continuous improvement and internationalization, achieving the highest accreditation “A” is one of the main strategic objectives of UCT’s Strategic Plan for 2023-2030. This accomplishment reflects UCT’s ongoing dedication and enhancement of its educational quality, providing students with a good learning environment based on internationally acceptable standards. The accreditation was based on eight evaluation criteria, including institutional mission, governance, academic programs, and financial capacity. This accreditation also means that UCT is now considered an important partner of the government, particularly in the development of academic sciences, and also seen as a positive step for improving the university system and ensuring quality education.
UCT is a relatively new University with only 4 years of existence, with a vision to be the best teaching and scientific research university in Timor-Leste, providing education for every human person, moral, spiritual and intellectual, forming the future leaders of the country and the world under the auspices of the Catholic faith. The University Council is shared by His Eminence Virgilio Cardinal do Carmo da Silva SDB, the Archbishop of Dili, as the main governing body with representation of University administrators, professors, students and prominent leaders of the civil society. UCT has 20 study programs distributed in 4 Faculties with the main Campus located in Balide right in the middle of the city of Dili, Timor-Leste.
Source: UCT