Dili, 08 May 2026 (Media Democracia) – The President of the Recruitment Commission for Military Academy Student Candidates 2026, Nuno Corvelo, said that 214 candidates have already taken the cultural exam.
He informed that there were 320 total applicants in the first stage, but only 214 passed the screening phase and today took the cultural exam.
“Now those who passed are taking the cultural exam. This process is important to see if candidates meet the requirements before entering the next stage.” the Recruitment Commission President Nuno told journalists after directly observing the cultural exam at the Faculty of Engineering, Science and Technology, Hera, this Wednesday (06/05/26).
He informed that candidates who pass the cultural exam will then take three subject tests: Mathematics, Portuguese, and English.
“This exam will determine who can continue to the next stage, the Commission has also defined clear criteria regarding height and age to ensure candidates are in condition to undergo training. For males, height must not be less than 1.64 meters and for females 1.60 meters.” he said.
He affirmed that joint military academy student candidates must be aged 17 to 20, and those who reach 21 years old this December are no longer eligible. The commission will look at productive ages so they can develop in a military career.
Nuno added that during the process the commission also identified that many candidates didn’t pass selection due to document problems, because the majority of candidates didn’t present supporting documents about their 12th grade education.
The commission president affirmed that the commission will continue with the next selection phase. Candidates who pass all processes will get the opportunity to enter and study at the Military Academy.
“This process, as I have said, is rigorous and there is no favoritism. This selection process doesn’t look at whether they are the child of a general, officer, or veteran, because we as a commission are committed to carrying out this process transparently.” he stated.
Nuno Corvelo stressed that the selection process is running rigorously and transparently.
“Now is the cultural exam phase. If they don’t pass here, they will be eliminated and cannot proceed to the next phase. In the next phases, candidates who pass the cultural exam will proceed to medical and physical tests, and for ten days they will go to the military academy in Aileu. Because we will have a celebration of 60 people in the first phase of the joint military academy.” he said.
In the same place, joint military academy student candidate 2026, Devia de Jesus Amaral, felt happy because she could compete for the joint military academy vacancy and hopes to truly become a soldier.
“I am from Aileu Municipality. My hope is, I feel happy to be able to compete in this military academy and if I pass going forward, I want to become a soldier to defend our country, becoming a soldier has been a dream since I was little.” Devia told journalists after finishing the cultural exam.
Likewise, Samuel Nilton Soares has high hopes of becoming a soldier, although winning or losing isn’t an issue for him, he feels motivated because he has a spirit of nationalism as a Timorese he must contribute to our country.
Report By: Estefánia Cardoso
Photo By: Estefánia Cardoso