Dili, August 14, 2026 (Media Democracia) – The Universidade Oriental Timor Lorosa’e (UNITAL), through the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (CISPOL), which consists of the Departments of Social Communication and Public Administration, held its 17th Graduation
Ceremony, with the objective of producing human resources who have integrity, competence, and a vision for global development.
The ceremony is part of UNITAL’s efforts to prepare graduates who not only have academic knowledge, but also responsibility, integrity, and the capacity to contribute to the development of Timor-Leste and the international community.
According to the Dean of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (CISPOL), Patricia Baliana da Costa, in her speech she said that this year, the CISPOL Faculty has produced 73 new graduates, consisting of students from the Department of Public Administration and the Department of Social Communication.
She said that this education aims to contribute with a broad perspective on global development, both at the national and international level. According to her, the results of research conducted during this period show that the CISPOL Faculty has already produced more than one thousand graduates, and 87% of those graduates are now working in various institutions, according to their respective fields and competencies.
“This year, in the first stage, there are 73 graduates from the Department of Public Administration and the Department of Social Communication. This 17th graduation ceremony carries the theme ‘Producing Human Resources with Integrity with a Vision for Global Development,’ with the message to contribute with a broad perspective on global development, so that it can pave the way for graduates to contribute to development at the national and global level,” said Patricia Baliana da Costa, Dean of the CISPOL Faculty, at the UNITAL Hall, Bekora, on Thursday, 13 August 2026.
She explained that during the previous period, the CISPOL Faculty has produced more than one thousand graduates. According to the results of a survey/research in 2026, 87% of these graduates are already working in their fields, including in media areas such as journalists, Police, Press Council, members of the National Parliament, administrators and village chiefs.
In her speech, the CISPOL Dean also gave a message to the graduates about the academic title and degree they have now received, which is now legal recognition of all their efforts during the study process.
“The title and degree you have now received are legal and serve as recognition of all your efforts during your time of study. Your status is no longer a student, but you are now alumni, and the word ‘student’ no longer applies to you as before. Your responsibility does not end there, but will continue and increase forever,” she said.
The Dean added that the world of work is different from the university environment, because the world of work is full of challenges and requires the capacity to continue learning and developing oneself.
“The world of work is competitive and full of challenges, but don’t be afraid. Continue to learn and develop your capacity and skills, because you don’t need to start from zero. The world of work doesn’t just need smart people, but also needs people who are honest, disciplined, ethical and responsible, and who can communicate well with integrity in society,” the CISPOL Dean added.
In addition, student representative Elizabet Maria de Castro expressed her happiness at being able to finish her studies and obtain a bachelor’s degree in 2026. She also expressed gratitude and appreciation to Universidade Oriental (UNITAL), which during the study process supported and accompanied her from the beginning until the end.
“During my study process from 2022 until today, I was able to finish my studies and obtain a bachelor’s degree in 2026. As an academic, my feeling is one of gratitude and great appreciation to UNITAL University, which has accompanied me from the beginning of my studies until I finished. I am very grateful because from this place I was able to learn and deepen my capacity, so that in the future I can develop and apply what I have learned,” said Elizabet Maria de Castro.
The student also believes that the dream she has will be realized in the future, especially to become a woman who knows how to manage and become a leader who can contribute to the family and society, including to everyone.
“For the future, we as students must have dreams, and the dreams we have for tomorrow must start to be pursued from now. Right now I am studying in the Department of Public Administration. In the future, I want to become a woman who knows how to manage and knows how to be a good female leader, especially in the family and in society, and can contribute to everyone,” she said.
Reporting: Lourenço / Nicodemus
Photo: Nicodemos