Founded 2021
Timor-Leste's first Catholic university, inaugurated on 8 December 2021 in Díli.
Our Journey: Building Medical Education in Timor-Leste
Universidade Católica Timorense (UCT) is a Catholic university in Díli, Timor-Leste, committed to advancing medical education, strengthening healthcare capacity, and preparing future doctors for Timor-Leste and the global healthcare community. Founded in 2021, UCT is developing an English-medium MBBS education pathway that brings together academic excellence, clinical learning, ethical formation, community service, and international collaboration.
Building Medical Education in Timor-Leste
Universidade Católica Timorense (UCT) is a Catholic university in Díli, Timor-Leste, committed to advancing medical education, strengthening healthcare capacity, and preparing future doctors for Timor-Leste and the global healthcare community. Founded in 2021, UCT is developing an English-medium MBBS education pathway that brings together academic excellence, clinical learning, ethical formation, community service, and international collaboration.
For students considering MBBS in Timor-Leste or exploring MBBS abroad, UCT offers a values-based learning environment in Southeast Asia. The University welcomes Timorese, Indian, and international students and aims to provide structured medical education supported by practical training, student services, and multicultural campus life.
White Coat 2024
First international MBBS White Coat Ceremony at The Music Academy in Chennai.
2026 Integration
Formal process to integrate General Medicine into the MBBS programme, submitted to MHESC.
2021
2021
UCT Founded in Díli
Universidade Católica Timorense São João Paulo II was formally inaugurated on 8 December 2021 in Díli. Established under the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Díli, UCT became Timor-Leste's first Catholic university, created to advance higher education, Catholic values, service to society, and national development.
2022
2022
Building the Academic Foundation
Following its establishment, UCT focused on building its academic community, institutional systems, faculty capacity, teaching resources, and student-learning environment. This early work laid the foundation for the University's role in higher education, professional training, and health-science development in Timor-Leste.
2023
2023
Expanding Medical Education
As its medical education initiatives progressed, UCT continued to strengthen academic delivery, clinical-skills development, practical learning, student support, and healthcare-training opportunities. These developments helped establish a structured and student-centred foundation for students pursuing MBBS in Timor-Leste.
2024
2024
MBBS Development Partnership
On 23 April 2024, UCT entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with IndoMed Educare, with the leadership and cooperation of Fundação São Paulo (FSP), Archdiocese of Díli. This collaboration supported the development and launch of an MBBS programme for Timorese and international students. The medical curriculum is designed with reference to Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) and Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI) principles. UCT's objective is to provide a quality medical education framework that supports strong clinical knowledge, practical competence, patient-centred care, professionalism, and ethical medical practice.
2024
2024
First International MBBS White Coat Ceremony
On 5 November 2024, UCT held its first international MBBS White Coat Ceremony at The Music Academy in Chennai, India. The event welcomed the 2024–2025 international MBBS cohort and marked an important step in their medical education journey. During the ceremony, students received their white coats and affirmed their commitment to professional responsibility, ethical conduct, compassionate patient care, and service as future healthcare professionals. The milestone reflects UCT's growing engagement with international students seeking MBBS abroad in a supportive and values-driven academic environment.
2025
2025
A Global Campus Community
UCT continues to build a multicultural campus community for Timorese, Indian, and international students. Cultural programmes, academic activities, student-support services, community-health engagement, and practical learning opportunities contribute to a welcoming medical education experience in Díli. The University's international environment encourages cross-cultural understanding, teamwork, professional communication, and respect for diverse healthcare needs—important qualities for future doctors working in Timor-Leste and other global settings.
2026
2026
Proposed General Medicine–MBBS Integration
In 2026, UCT began a formal process, under the guidance of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Culture (MHESC), to integrate its existing General Medicine programme into the MBBS programme. The relevant merger documentation was submitted to MHESC on 18 September 2026.
Looking Ahead
A Lasting Institution for Medical Education
UCT is working to build a lasting institution for medical education in Timor-Leste. As the University grows, it aims to expand academic programmes, clinical-training partnerships, research capacity, community-health initiatives, and student-support systems.
Through MBBS education in Timor-Leste, UCT seeks to develop clinically capable, ethically grounded, and compassionate healthcare professionals. The University is committed to serving local communities while supporting students who aspire to pursue further training, licensing pathways, and healthcare careers internationally, subject to the applicable requirements of each country.
Your White Coat Journey Starts Here
Seats for the 2026–27 intake are limited. Talk to an admission counsellor today.