Issue 25 : June 2003

Iceland's Foreign Minister Halldor Asgrimsson speaks during an event to mark the 25th  anniversary of UNU-GTP.

UNU Geothermal Training Programme (UNU-GTP) celebrated its 25th anniversary with a special ceremony at the opening of the 2003 training course. The event was attended by Iceland's Foreign Minister, Halldor Asgrimsson, UNU Rector Hans van Ginkel and other dignitaries.

In a welcoming address, UNU-GTP director Ingvar Fridleifsson said that since the programme was founded in 1979, 279 scientists and engineers from 39 countries have completed the annual six-months course.  Of the graduates, 43 percent were from Asia, 26 percent from Africa, 14 percent from Latin America, and 17 percent from Central and Eastern Europe.

"We have maintained good contact with a large proportion of our former Fellows," said Fridleifsson. "In many countries in Africa, Asia, Central America and  Central and Eastern Europe our graduates are among the leaders in geothermal research and development."

UNU Rector Hans van Ginkel at ConDir in Reykjavik

The total installed geothermal electric capacity had more than doubled since the UNU Geothermal Training Programme was established, Fridleifsson said, and part of this growth was in countries where former students were key geothermal specialists.

In honour of the anniversary, UN University's bi-annual Conference of Directors (ConDir) was held in Reykjavik in April. The main celebrations will be held in connection with the International Geothermal Conference, to be held in Reykjavik in September.

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