YAMAGUCHI, 28 November 2025 – H.E. Maria Terezinha da Silva Viegas, Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste to Japan, participated in the 50th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Independence celebrations in Ube City, Yamaguchi Prefecture.
The program began with a celebratory Mass at the Ube Catholic Church, followed by a formal gathering at the Faculty of Engineering, Yamaguchi University. Mr. Octoviano Viegas Tilman, representing the student body, expressed gratitude for the Embassy’s presence, emphasizing the event’s significance for the Timorese diaspora.
In her keynote address, Ambassador Viegas highlighted the resilience of the nation’s founders in 1975, noting, “Independence is not merely a legacy; it is a collective responsibility for every generation to uphold.” She urged Timorese youth abroad to turn freedom into progress, emphasizing that academic excellence in service of the nation is a form of patriotism.
Professor Koichi Yamamoto, Head of the Department of Civil Engineering, praised the academic achievements of Timorese scholars. Strategic research presentations included:
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Pedro Junior Fernandes (PhD): Remote Sensing Applications for Rice Cropping in Maliana
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Abel Fernandes (PhD): Automated HyP3 InSAR Coherence for Landslide Detection
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Leonarda Rodrigues (Master’s): Project Management Efficiency: Applying Japanese Construction Lessons to Timor-Leste
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Oktoviano Viegas Tilman (PhD): The Role of Geoscience and Engineering in Infrastructure Development
The celebration concluded with a symbolic 50th-anniversary cake cutting and a guided campus tour led by Professor Yamamoto.
