| Title | Geothermal Training for Africans: The Operations of the UNU-GTP in Iceland and Africa and Possible Future Development |
|---|---|
| Authors | Ludvik S. Georgsson |
| Year | 2012 |
| Conference | ARGeo |
| Keywords | Geothermal Training, Short Courses, Africa |
| Abstract | The United Nations University Geothermal Training Programme (UNU-GTP) in Iceland specializes in capacity building for geothermal exploration and development for professionals from developing countries. The aim is to assist countries with geothermal potential to build up expertise in geothermal exploration and development. This is achieved through training and post-graduate academic studies in Iceland and, more recently, also through short courses and workshops in the developing countries themselves. The annual 6-month training in Iceland is the core of the programme. Africa is a priority area within the UN system. With the increased geothermal development in Africa and especially in Kenya in recent years, the UNU-GTP has put more emphasis than ever on capacity building for Africa, which is manifested both in the training activities in Iceland and on-site in Africa. In 2012, 19 out of 33 6-month training UNU Fellows in Iceland came from Africa, and many courses have been given in Africa (Kenya) in the last 3 years, both through UNU-GTP’s initiative or sponsored by local energy agencies. Out of 515 UNU Fellows in Iceland in the period 1979-2012, 165 or 32% have come from 15 African countries. In addition, 15 out of 33 UNU-GTP MSc-graduates to date are from 6 African countries, and the first three PhD-Fellowships have gone to Kenyans. UNU-GTP training activities in developing countries were initiated with a series of annual workshops/short courses, starting in Africa (Kenya) in 2005 and later in Central America and Asia. These events have been organized in cooperation with established local energy agencies responsible for geothermal development. The aim has not only been to increase capacity building but also to further regional cooperation in geothermal development and to reach out to new countries with capacity and interest in geothermal development. The week-long “Workshop for Decision Makers” held in Kenya in 2005 has been followed by annual short courses, first aimed only at surface exploration but gradually extended to cover most aspects of geothermal exploration and even an introduction to development, now extending for 3½ weeks. In this, UNU-GTP has worked closely with Kenya, through KenGen, and since 2009 also GDC. Since the start in 2005, more than 360 individuals from 19 countries in Africa (including Yemen) have benefitted from this training. These series have also provided a basis that has made it possible for the UNU-GTP to go one step further by offering customer-designed short courses in line with the needs of clients from the developing countries through local or external financial sponsors. Since 2010, this has become an important part of the operations of UNU-GTP, not-least in Kenya due to its urgent need for additional geothermal manpower. Many of Africa’s leading geothermal experts have obtained their basic geothermal training in Iceland. Together with Icelandic experts, they now share their knowledge and experience with a new generation of African geoscientists and engineers. The next step in capacity building for Africa should be the establishment of a regional geothermal training centre for East Africa. The UNU-GTP wants to assist in this and create a UNU-GTP sub-centre in Kenya, preferably through cooperation with GDC and KenGen, and international sponsors. A similar set-up is now being evaluated in El Salvador for Latin America with funding already secured. |