| Title | Successes and challenges of Geothermal Training: Behind the scenes insight into the UNU/GRÓ Geothermal Training Programme |
|---|---|
| Authors | Malfridur Omarsdottir, Gudni Axelsson, Ingimar Haraldsson, Vigdis Hardardottir |
| Year | 2023 |
| Conference | World Geothermal Congress |
| Keywords | Geothermal, Training, Education |
| Abstract | The Geothermal Training Programme (GTP) in Iceland has over 40 years of experience in training people around the world in geothermal exploration and development. Over these four decades the Programme has trained 743 experts from 64 countries. The Programme is funded through the official development cooperation of Iceland. This support of the Icelandic Government through GTP has been an important part of the geothermal development in many of our partner countries both on a country level, institutional level, as well as on an individual level. Often, support and development cooperation are evaluated objectively in terms of numbers, e.g., in energy cooperation in terms of megawatts or number of power plants but these do not grasp the full success, reach and results of the training. A subjective approach is needed in addition to capture these. The trainees who obtain a fellowship to come to Iceland, gain access to the Icelandic geothermal sector and local experts, many of whom are world leaders in their field with a vast experience from Iceland’s long history of utilizing geothermal resources. But equally as important they also gain access to each other as they are themselves experts in their field with experience they can share with both other fellows and teachers. The training therefore provides a unique venue where this interactive knowledge sharing for geothermal experts from all around the world is made possible. This resulting international hub of experts is one of the fundamentals for the success of the training in Iceland. During their time in the training, the fellows get a chance to step out from their own environment and habits and expand their horizon to get a different point of view both professionally and on an individual level. Iceland being one of the leading countries in geothermal research and utilization gives the fellows a chance to experience with their own eyes what geothermal can do and how it matters. Furthermore, in a world rushing to reach the UN SDGs and in times of conflict and fears of an onset of a third world war, it has rarely been more important to build bridges between countries and continents and to focus on increased cooperation in energy security as well as indorse tolerance towards the fellow man. Examples from the training in Iceland have shown the fellows who share their time and space working towards a common goal generally create understanding of each other across religion, culture, and race leading to less prejudiced individuals who many then advocate for more tolerance in their own country upon their return. As a UN affiliated graduate, after sharing half a year with people from all around the world, expanding their professional network and making international, intercultural, and interracial friendship bonds, they are expected to have acquired certain leadership capabilities and qualities such as good communication skills, diplomacy, respect for others, and as good leaders, have courage and experience to back up their decisions which is what the Programme aims to instill and achieve with its training in Iceland. Experience through the decades of training has also shown that many fellows have become great leaders of geothermal development in their home countries which further supports that the training is successful. |