Fellows 2024-25

Welcome to Iceland

You arrive at the time of the year when winter is coming ... and the Christmas season is approaching.

This year, September 23rd was the day of the equinox, i.e., when daytime and night-time are of equal duration all over the planet.

After that we have progressively longer night-time than daytime here in the north and we also start to experience colder weather and occasional snow storms.

In December the temperature usually ranges between -1.5 and 3.0 degrees Celsius. It can go well below zero, especially during the night. For outdoor activities you would need a warm jumper, wind /waterproof outer shell, and good shoes.

On the official tourism website Visit Iceland  you find a lot of practical information on the weather, what to wear, food, currency, safety issues etc.

Incoming fellows profile

The 2024-25 cohort includes 23 fellows from 14 countries -- in Latin America & the Caribbean, Africa, Asia and the Pacific. This year women (12) are one more than men (11). Three lines of specialisation have 6 fellows each (the Aquatic Resource Assessment and Monitoring line, the Sustainable Aquaculture line and the Quality Management line); the Fisheries Policy and Management line, which was the largest line last year, has 5 fellows this time.

For individual fellows' profile see here >

This year´s  FTP staff

The GRÓ-FTP team at work  ...

from the left, Julie Ingham, Zaw Myo Win and Stefán Úlfarsson (holding the camera ha ha).

Missing in the photo is Þór Ásgeirsson.

More information here >

Roles & responsibilities

The following roles & responsibilities primarily apply during the 3 month research period which requires smooth collaboration between fellows, heads of lines, supervisors and the GRÓ-FTP team.

The research project is a collaborative project between fellows, supervisors, heads of lines and the GRÓ FTP team, where the fellow bears the main responsibility.

The fellow is responsible for:

• Coming up with ideas for a project that is then developed in collaboration with the supervisor and GRÓ FTP team.
• Ensuring that the work undertaken will add value to their home institution.
• Implementation of work related to the project.
• Following the instructions on formatting and writing,
• Taking the initiative in seeking help if help is needed.
• Informing the supervisor and GRÓ FTP team about the progress of the project.
• Notifying the GRÓ FTP team if progress of project implementation is slow and the possible reason for that.
• Working with the supervisor on setting regular meetings and then keeping to them.
• Contacting the supervisor at least once a week.
• Inviting other relevant parties to regular supervisor meetings.

Heads of lines find supervisors to assist in designing and implementing fellows’ final research projects.

The following are some of the supervisors’ responsibilities:

• The supervisors, in collaboration with the heads of lines, and in consultation with FTP staff, are responsible for coaching the fellows through the research project. That includes helping them to define research topics, planning the project, and provide the fellows with necessary support (logistics, facilities, consultation, etc.).
• The supervisor should assist the fellow in the development of the project idea and assist in the preparation of a project proposal.
• The supervisor must ensure that all academic requirements are met, specifically the use and registration of sources (references and bibliography).
• The supervisor is expected to meet the fellow at least once a week. It is important that the supervisor establishes rules regarding communication and regular meetings with the fellow so that time is used as efficiently as possible, and distractions are reduced. The supervisor should ensure that the fellow has access to the data and people needed to complete the project. If the supervisor must be absent for some time, he or she bears responsibility for ensuring that the fellow knows what needs to be done in his or her absence.

Although the heads of lines /supervisors oversee the professional aspects of the research project, the GRÓ FTP team will always monitor the process closely and intervene if necessary. It is therefore important that both supervisors and fellows are in good communication with the GRÓ FTP team. If any problems arise, they should be resolved as soon as possible. It is very important that the short time allotted for the project is used well and that fellows have a balanced workload throughout the period. The supervisor and fellow will formally meet with the GRÓ FTP team 2-3 times to review the status of the project.

Fellowship administration

General information

It is always challenging to settle into a new society. To help incoming fellows to orient themselves FTP has put together a handbook with practical information on weather conditions, suitable clothing, accommodation, service hours, entertainment, transportation, important phone numbers … and last but not least, about the fellowship’s responsibilities and benefits.

It is possible to upload a PDF version of the FTP General Handbook here>

Accommodation

The GRÓ House is the Reykjavík home of the GRÓ six-month fellows (GRÓ-FTP, GRÓ-GTP & GRÓ-LRT) and houses occasionally GRÓ MS/MSc and PhD scholarship recipients and visiting guest lecturers invited by the four GRÓ Programmes. The house is located on Grensásvegur 14, close to a major shopping and recreational area with convenient access to bus routes.

It is possible to upload a PDF version of the GRÓ House Handbook here>

Fellowship course

The core activity of the FTP is an annual postgraduate level six-month training programme in Iceland which aims to strengthen the professional capacity and competency of FTP Fellows to actively contribute to work done in their organisations and to recognise development potential in their home countries.

Each year the course runs for six months and comprises three modules: an introductory part, a specialisation part, and an individual research project. Successful graduates receive a UNESCO GRÓ certificate of completion.

Introduction

The introductory part occupies the first 5-6 weeks of the programme and gives Fellows a holistic view of fisheries, providing them with insights into various disciplines within fisheries and their connectedness.

In this course, Fellows receive a comprehensive overview of fisheries in an international context, sharpening their understanding of fisheries in their home countries and what is needed for a fisheries sector to evolve.

The introduction consists of a series of lectures, site visits and assignments, touching upon the subject of personal and professional growth, and group dynamics.

GRÓ FTP places emphasis on environmental conservation and gender equality which are integral to sustainable fisheries and the development of the fisheries sector.

Transition from introduction

On completion of the introduction, fellows join one of four lines of specialisation: Fisheries Policy and Management; Aquatic Resource Assessment and Monitoring; Quality Management of Fish Handling and Processing; or Sustainable Aquaculture.

Fellows now have the task of attending a full specialisation programme while, at the same time, developing research project ideas into a proposal.

During this phase, heads of lines provide fellows with course outlines, time schedules and reading materials specific to their lines of specialisation. They also lead the process of assigning supervisor(s) to work with fellows on their research project.

FTP staff, on the other hand, monitor fellows’ progress and, also, provide support and tools across the specialisation lines.

Specialisation

On completion of the introductory part, each Fellow joins a specialist line according to their area of expertise and responsibilities at home. The lines focus on one specific area of fisheries and aims to hone each Fellow’s knowledge and experience throughout a six-week programme of lectures, assignments, and site visits. During this time, Fellows develop ideas for a final project in collaboration with their supervisors communicated through a project proposal submitted orally and in writing in the 7th week.

The FTP offers training in four areas of specialisation:

• Fisheries Policy and Management (University of Akureyri in the north of Iceland)
• Aquatic Resource Assessment and Monitoring (Marine and Freshwater Research Institute in Hafnarfjörður, near Reykjavík)
• Quality Management of Fish Handling and Processing (Matís, Food Science and Biotechnology Institute in Reykjavík)
• Sustainable Aquaculture (Marine and Freshwater Research Institute in Hafnarfjörður, near Reykjavík)

Research project

The programme culminates in a 12-13 week research project in which fellows work closely with a supervisor to conduct research on a pressing issue related to their work at home. The project work combines the Fellow’s experience and practical skills gained in the introductory and specialist training, along with their personal goals on an individual research topic. Project design skills are applied to develop and present a research proposal, and then research is conducted individually through close collaboration with an expert supervisor. Final projects most often involve data directly from Fellows' home countries. On completion, a research paper is submitted and published on the GRÓ-FTP website. In addition, Fellows are required to design an information poster summarising their research and present their results in an open dissemination meeting.

The overall schedule

The overall schedule for the 2024-25 semester is presented below.

Week 1 (Nov 18-24): Orientation

Below is a preliminary schedule for the first week in Iceland. Please be aware that it may be necessary to adjust it with little notice. Changes will be announced on a day-by-day basis.

Week 2 (Nov 25 - Dec 1): Overview

Below is a preliminary schedule for the second week in Iceland. Please be aware that it may be necessary to adjust it with little notice. Changes will be announced on a day-by-day basis.

Week 3 (Dec 2-8): Challenges

Below is a preliminary schedule for the third week in Iceland. Please be aware that it may be necessary to adjust it with little notice. Changes will be announced on a day-by-day basis.

Week 4 (Dec 9-15): The future

Below is a preliminary schedule for the forth week in Iceland. Please be aware that it may be necessary to adjust it with little notice. Changes will be announced on a day-by-day basis.

Week 5 (Dec 16-22): Agents of change

Below is a preliminary schedule for the fifth week in Iceland. Please be aware that it may be necessary to adjust it with little notice. Changes will be announced on a day-by-day basis.

Week 6 (Dec 23-29): Christmas

Below is a preliminary schedule for the sixth week in Iceland. Please be aware that it may be necessary to adjust it with little notice. Changes will be announced on a day-by-day basis.

Week 7 (Dec 30 - Jan 5): New Year

Below is a preliminary schedule for the seventh week in Iceland. Please be aware that it may be necessary to adjust it with little notice. Changes will be announced on a day-by-day basis.