Teresa Freitas Belo, Ph.D.

Dr. Teresa Freitas Belo’s research focuses on the intersection of financial management, strategic decision-making, and socio-economic development in emerging economies, with a strong emphasis on Timor-Leste. Her work examines how financial literacy, capital structure, risk management, and macroeconomic factors such as inflation and dollarization shape the sustainability of households, firms, and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). She has contributed to advancing knowledge in areas such as poverty reduction through microcredit and financial inclusion, the influence of financing choices on profitability and firm value, and the impact of inflation and exchange regimes on income, consumption, and savings behavior.

Her research also explores risk management strategies in volatile markets, cultural influences on household financial behavior, and the role of strategic management in improving corporate performance. By combining quantitative financial analysis with qualitative insights into culture, behavior, and policy, Dr. Belo’s work offers practical implications for entrepreneurs, policymakers, and development institutions seeking to strengthen financial resilience. Through collaborations with regional and international scholars, she extends her findings beyond Timor-Leste to the broader Southeast Asian context, contributing valuable perspectives to global discussions on financial management and economic development in emerging markets.

Beyond her research contributions, Dr. Teresa Freitas Belo has cultivated an extensive academic career grounded in strong educational achievements and dedicated teaching. She holds a Doctoral Degree in Management with a specialization in Financial Management from Évora University, Portugal (2019), a Master’s Degree in Finance Management from Christian Satya Wacana University (UKSW), Indonesia (2011), and a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance Management from the Dili Institute of Technology (DIT), Timor-Leste (2009). Since 2009, she has been a lecturer at DIT’s Faculty of Business and Management, advancing to teach at both the Master of Business Administration program (since 2019) and the Ph.D. program in Business Administration (since 2023). She also contributes as a part-time lecturer at the Catholic Business School (Universidade Católica Timorense) and at the Instituto Filosófico de S. Francisco de Sales (IFFS), demonstrating her commitment to developing future business leaders across diverse institutions. Her dedication to academic excellence was recognized in 2024 when she was awarded Best Lecturer in the Finance Management Department at DIT

Alongside teaching, Dr. Belo has taken on significant leadership, consultancy, and accreditation roles that bridge academia, industry, and policy. She currently serves as Director of EQA at DIT and has worked as an assessor for teaching and learning quality, an industrial accreditor at INDMO, a national accreditor at ANAAA, and an APACC accreditor. Her professional work also extends to external auditing, financial consulting, and active participation in national development projects. Beyond administration, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to community engagement-organizing and speaking at international conferences, leading training programs for SMEs and teachers, and contributing to interfaith and social development initiatives in Timor-Leste. Through this combination of research, teaching, leadership, and service, Dr. Teresa Freitas Belo has established herself as an influential academic and practitioner, advancing knowledge in finance and marketing while fostering the growth and resilience of MSMEs, institutions, and communities in Timor-Leste and beyond.