DIT - Partner Profile
Dili Institute of Technology (DIT) is a private non-profit, accredited and dual sector tertiary education institute which was founded in 2002 in Dili, Timor Leste. DIT’s mission is to offer education, vocational training, research and service to upskill a range of Timorese and enable them to contribute to Timor Leste socio-economic development once they complete their studies with DIT.
Over 1,200 students are currently studying in DIT across three campus:
- Dili with four faculties Business Management, Tourism and Hospitality, Petroleum Engineering and Management, Science and Engineering. Civil Engineering (BEng Civ.Eng-Bachelor of Engineering in Civil and Construction Engineering recognised nationally) is part of the Science Engineering faculties with Computer Science and Automotive Mechanics (Certificate II)
- Baucau with Certificate I in General Building Construction. Program operating through coorperation between Rotary Club Melbourne (providing funding), Shell Foundation and DIT
- Oecusse and four faculties [Business Management, Tourism and Hospitality, Petroleum Engineering and Management, Science and Engineering]. DIT is striving to improve the curriculum, teaching and evaluation methods, and quality of the staff and teaching resources for the four faculties.
DIT is seeking assistance to develop the institute and improve its academic performance across the faculties.
The EWB-DIT Story
The AusAID proposal
In June 2009, as part of an AusAid program, the University of Western Australia (UWA) and the International Water Centre (IWC) liaised with three Timorese institutions to provide institutional support for higher education and training in water sanitation.
The Timorese institutions involved were the Dili Institute of Technology (DIT), the National University of East Timor (UNTL) and the National Centre for Employment and Professional Training (CNEFP) centre located in Tibar.
These institutions reviewed their civil and mechanical curriculum in which WatSan related units were incorporated. They came up to the conclusion that the assistance program should be broadened to include assistance to the overall civil curriculum and address the other engineering priorities of the East Timorese government, namely Roads & Construction and Power & Energy.
A proposal for a 5 years program was submitted to AusAid for funding. Funding was not granted given the size of the project. However it was acknowledged that this proposal formed a relevant framework for future projects.
The EWB-DIT initiative
In the meantime EWB and DIT took the initiative to start the program with Alice Lecocq’s placement within DIT Civil Engineering Department. Alice is a EWB civil engineer and trainer. She has a relevant profile to set up the civil engineering project. Alice started in August 2010 and will be working with DIT for a period of 12 months. She is representing EWB as well as the University of Western Australia (UWA) in the management of the project. Alice will aim at setting up the foundation of the program developing strong relationship with DIT, initiating communication across the Timorese institutions and developing a network with the Industry.
The University of Western Australia and EWB are aiming at gaining experience on the field through Alice's placement with the prospect of re-submitting a proposal to AusAID to get funding in order to:
- secure the placement of field officers and EWB volunteers for the coming years
- benefit from the involvement of UWA academics
Infrastructures
