| Abstract |
The Government of Iceland and the United Nations University (UNU) decided in 1978 to establish the UNU Geothermal Training Programme (UNU-GTP), with Orkustofnun (the National Energy Authority of Iceland) as the host institution. The mandate (www.unugtp.is) is to assist developing countries with significant geothermal potential to establish groups of specialists in geothermal exploration and development by offering six month specialized training for professionals employed in geothermal research and/or development. More recently, the UNU-GTP also offers a few successful candidates the possibility of extending their studies to MSc or PhD degrees in geothermal sciences or engineering in cooperation with the University of Iceland. The trademark of the UNU-GTP is to give university graduates engaged in geothermal work intensive on-the-job training in their chosen fields of specialization. The trainees work side by side with geothermal professionals in Iceland (the majority with ISOR–Iceland GeoSurvey). Specialized training is offered in geological exploration, borehole geology, geophysical exploration, borehole geophysics, reservoir engineering, chemistry of thermal fluids, environmental studies, geothermal utilization, and drilling technology. During 1979-2009, 424 scientists and engineers from 44 countries have completed the annual six month courses. They have come from countries in Asia (43%), Africa (28%), Central and Eastern Europe (14%), and Latin America (15%). Since 2000, 20 have graduated with MSc. In 2009, thirteen have pursued their MSc and three their PhD studies at the University of Iceland. The UNU-GTP maintains contact with the majority of its 424 UNU Fellows. The annual Yearbook of the UNU-GTP (with research reports of Fellows of the year) is sent to over 300 former UNU Fellows, most of which are also in active e-mail contact. The UNU-GTP awards travel stipends to former Fellows to attend international geothermal conferences. The UNU-GTP also organizes Workshops and Short Courses on geothermal development in Africa (started in 2005), Central America (started in 2006), and in Asia (started in 2008). This is a contribution of the Government of Iceland to the Millennium Development Goals of the United Nations. The courses/workshops are set up in cooperation with energy and earth science institutions responsible for exploration, development and operation of geothermal energy utilities in the countries/regions. A part of the objective is to increase the cooperation between specialists in neighbouring countries in the field of sustainable use of geothermal resources. The courses may in the future develop into sustainable regional geothermal training centres. About 200 scientists and decision makers have participated in the workshops (1 week), and about 220 scientists have been trained at the short courses (1-3 weeks). Many former UNU Fellows are lecturers and co-organizers of the UNU-GTP Workshops and Short Courses. |