Institute for Research on Portuguese-speaking Countries, City University Macau Students in Timor-Leste - Cityu Institute for Research on Portuguese-speaking countries

Mr. Pengqin Chen (Calvin) a Ph.D. student and Ms. Yue She (Amélia) a Masters’ student from the Institute for Research on Portuguese-speaking
Countries, carried out for the very first time, a research trip to Timor-Leste, under the cooperation agreement between City University of Macau
and the Universidade Nacional Timor Lorosa'e (UNTL).

This research trip took place from 5 to 13 of December 2018, and the two students had a chance to conduct field interviews, participate in
several meetings, collect statistical data, and visit places of historical importance. Among the most significant contacts established are: the
TradeInvest Timor-Leste, the Association of Business Women of Timor-Leste, the President of Chinese Business Association of Timor-Leste, the
Director of Bilateral Aﬀairs from Ministry of Foreign Aﬀairs and Cooperation, several United Nations agencies operating in Timor-Leste, Mr. Carlos
Soares entrepreneur and former Advisor to the Ministry of Petroleum of Timor-Leste, a representative of Longping Yuan HighTech corporation, the
National Archive and Museum of History, the office of the Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries, the Embassy of Portugal, and the Economic
Counsellor at the Embassy of the People's Republic of China.

With a financial grant of GAES, the UNTL logistical and academic support, the coordination arrangements facilitated by the CityU (GEO) in
close coordination with Dr. Danilo Afonso-Henriques (Forum Macau), and the welcoming relationship the UNTL Rector’s office, this research trip
stands as a token of good collaboration between different institutions, and a very positive initiative contributing to excellence of academic
results.

During these coming days, the students will draft their academic report, share their experience with classmates, and engage in an interview
with a Macau newspaper, to encourage more students to research in the Portuguese-speaking Countries.

Congratulations to our students and to all personnel that contributed to this research trip.

December 2018