DILI (TOP) - The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has started construction of a residence for female students in Aitarak-Laran.
The first stone launch was held by the President of the Republic (PR), José Ramos-Horta, Prime Minister (PM), Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão together with the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates, Abdullah Aldaheri in Aitarak-Laran, Dili on Wednesday, May 20, 2026.
The project is funded by the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the UAE development agency, UAE Aid to accommodate 300 female university students from low-income families.
Ambassador Abdullah Aldaheri explained that the main objective of the project is to create an integrated cultural and social environment to contribute to preparing the future generation of qualified academic talent and national leaders who can actively participate in building the future and advancing sustainable development in Timor-Leste.
“The US and TL share humanitarian values to serve vulnerable communities, empower children and improve the quality of life,” the Ambassador underlined.
In the same place, President of the Republic, José Ramos-Horta said the residential area will be completed with a clinic, study room, cafeteria and other complementary services, as well as landscaped areas within its perimeter.
The project is a modern construction that will be implemented by Areem Plus with architectural design by Gary Gilson Architects, scheduled to be completed in 2027.
The building has four main components: student accommodation with a capacity of 300 students, divided into 20 double rooms and 65 four-bed rooms; a block of 24 studio, one- and two-bedroom rental apartments; common facilities include a central plaza, multipurpose room, library, laundry and cafeteria with a capacity of 150 people; and a public access clinic equipped with a pharmacy, treatment room and mini-market.
This initiative is part of the bilateral relationship shared between Timor-Leste and the United Arab Emirates, covering cooperation in the areas of education, institutional capacity building and economic investment.
The project reflects the vision of the President of the UAE, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan who emphasizes education as a strategic investment in human capital and women's education as a central pillar of the UAE's commitment to women's empowerment and participation in the areas of science, technology and artificial power and energy.
The building is constructed next to the Presidential Palace Nicolau Lobato, on a total area of about 81,951 square meters or 20.25 hectares.
The total construction area of 4,877 square meters spread over three floors includes a student accommodation block of 3,276 m2 and an apartment building of 1,392 m2.
According to the plan, the future Embassy of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will also be built in front of the building.
