The Research Institute Strengthening Program element of the partnership supports Australian academics to collaborate with their Timor-Leste counterparts on energy projects.
The participants were from 6 Timor-Leste and 4 Australian universities. During the trip, they progressed their research projects on:
- carbon capture and storage
- geothermal energy
- geology
- chemistry
- environment
- social licencing.
The 4 Australian universities involved are:
- University of Western Australia
- Curtin University
- Edith Cowan University
- University of Queensland.
Participants will present outcomes from the research projects and submit them to academic journals by mid-2025.
During the trip, the Australian academics also:
- presented lectures on energy topics at Timor Lorosa’e National University to an audience of hundreds of university students
- participated in cultural tours and site visits with their Timorese counterparts to deepen their understanding of the country and its research facilities.
The Timor-Leste Australia Energy Partnership is jointly led by the Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR) and Timor-Leste’s National Petroleum Authority (ANP). It aims to share expertise, build industry connections and workforce capabilities in the energy sector. Past partnership events have included conferences, networking, industry site visits and research mentorship programs.