HCDF Executive Director Hermenegildo da Silva told National Parliament on Monday that $12 million in scholarship would be awarded to Timorese students to study at private universities in Portuguese language speaking nations.

Timorese authorities have repeatedly said that the fund was to increase the capacity of Timorese professionals in order to contribute to the development of national human resources .

Of the 6,201 scholarships provided since 2011, 4,401 students have completed their study.

Of those who have completed study, some 3.341 have full time employment, 102 scholarship applicants are unaccounted for and 900 are unemployed, Da Silva said.