University History

Instituto Profissional de Canossa (IPDC) was founded by the Congregation of the Canossian Sisters in Timor-Leste on 10 September 2003 with a mission to contribute to the formation of human resources with character, knowledge, skill, and strong and deep faith in God for the good of the nation and for the glory of God.

At the beginning of its operation, IPDC offered two diploma courses: Office Management and Technical Computer and Informatics for high school graduates who are interested in joining the professional world. In addition to preparing individuals who are ready to work, the IPDC curriculum also gives an opportunity for graduates to continue their education to a higher level.

After its first five years of operation, in 2007, the East Timorese government, through the Ministry of Education, initiated the accreditation process of all higher education institutions in Timor-Leste. It took two years of preparation until finally, on September 24, 2009, through the Decree of the Ministry of Education no. 34/GM-ME/IX/2009, IPDC was granted an accreditation for its operation with a grade of 92.88% by an international accreditation team in cooperation with the National Accreditation Bureau (ANAAA). With this new status, IPDC has successfully produced 120 graduates with technical computer and informatics and office management qualifications during its two periods of graduation.

With IPDC’s education delivery developing on a solid foundation, together with the growing interest of the society for expertise in the field of computers, after a decade (2003-2013) the Canossa Foundation has addressed the challenges posed by the international team of accreditation and upgraded the level of education delivery at IPDC to Strata 1 for the department of Technical Computers and Informatics (TCI). Soon after, the department of office management followed suit.

After a feasibility study, IPDC decided it was time to open another departement, and the study indicates the need to train young people in the sector of tourism. Thus, the tourism department was established.