Kupang, Indonesia – Widya Mandira Catholic University has renewed its international partnership with the Institute of Business, Timor-Leste, through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding held on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at the University Senate Meeting Room. The signing took place as part of the Institute of Business’s Study Visit to Widya Mandira Catholic University, which aimed to strengthen academic relations and broaden cross-border collaboration.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the Rector of Widya Mandira Catholic University, Reverend Dr. Stefanus Lio, SVD., S.Fil., M.A., and Dr. Natalino Ximenes, S.E., M.M., representing the Institute of Business. The ceremony was attended by the Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business, the Vice Dean I of the Faculty of Engineering, and the Head of the Accounting Study Program. From the Institute of Business, the delegation included the Vice Rectors II and III, the Deans of the Faculties of Information and Communication Technology, Hospitality and Tourism, the Director of the Internal Quality Assurance Unit, representatives of the Foundation, and several lecturers and students from various faculties.
In his address, Reverend Dr. Stefanus Lio expressed his appreciation for the initiative, describing it as a strategic step to enhance international collaboration and deepen the friendship between Indonesia and Timor-Leste.
“This collaboration not only marks an academic partnership but also celebrates friendship, mutual understanding, and a shared commitment to advancing education in East Nusa Tenggara. We believe that education is not merely about transferring knowledge but also about nurturing values and character,” he said.
Reverend Dr. Lio further noted that the visit provided a meaningful platform for exchanging ideas and fostering innovative teaching and learning approaches that would bring tangible benefits to students and the wider community.
“May this inaugural visit bear fruitful outcomes for both institutions and inspire us to continue collaborating in the areas of teaching, research, and community service,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Vice Rector II of the Institute of Business, Mateus Ximenes, S.E., M.M., expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome from Widya Mandira Catholic University. He emphasized that the renewed partnership reflects a shared commitment to mutual learning and the enrichment of cross-border academic experiences.
Ximenes also shared his optimism that this collaboration will pave the way for the development of future joint programs in education, research, and community engagement.
“We hope this partnership will serve as the foundation for long-term cooperation that benefits both our institutions and the communities we serve,” he concluded.
