40th class graduates from UNU Geothermal Training Program in Iceland
Graduates of the UNU Geothermal Training Program 2018 (source: UNU GTP)
Alexander Richter
9 Oct 2018
Last week, the 40th class graduated from the United Nations University's Geothermal Training Program in Iceland. The 24 students, 9 women and 15 men came from 14 countries.
Last week, 24 students graduated from the United Nations University Geothermal Training Program in Iceland. This is in the 18th time that the school graduates from the six months study program in Iceland, but the school began its activities in 1979.
The Fellows came from 14 countries: Bolivia (2), China (2), Djibouti (1), Ecuador (1), El Salvador (1), Ethiopia (2), India (1), Indonesia (3), Kenya (5), Nevis (1), Philippines (1), St. Lucia (1), Tanzania (2), and Zambia (1). This is the first time St. Lucia participates in the Six Month Programme. The Fellows were trained in: Project management and finances (7), Drilling Technology (6), Chemistry of Thermal Fluids (4), Geophysical exploration (4), and Geothermal Utilization (3). The graduates were 9 women and 15 men.
Sturla Sigurjónsson, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasized the importance of geothermal utilization for progress and improved living standards in developing countries in his speech at the graduation. He described the emphasis that the Icelandic government has put on renewable energy, when it comes to sustainable development. The utilization of geothermal energy is one of the main focus areas of Icelandic development cooperation. He emphasized the importance of gender equality in the development cooperation of Iceland and the integration of gender perspectives in energy projects.
From the beginning of the program, 694 students from 61 countries graduated from the UNU Geothermal Training Program. About 39% of students have come from Africa and 35% from Asia, 14% from Latin America, 11% from Europe and 1% from Oceania. In addition, 158 women have graduated from the beginning or over 22%, while the ratio has risen by 31% over the past ten years.
In addition, this year, 16 students graduated with a master’s degree at the University of Iceland and the University of Reykjavík, and four students graduated with a doctoral degree at the University of Iceland on a grant from the geothermal school.
In addition to the training of geothermal experts in Iceland, the school has for many years held short courses in East Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, where more experts are given training. The courses have a strong link with the UN Worldwide Sustainable Development Goal.
The key to the success of the geothermal school is the strong sponsor that the school has benefited from in the budget of the Icelandic state, but the school is part of Iceland’s international development cooperation.
Source: Release via visir.is, UNUGTP
