The 2025 Cohort of Fellows Arrives in Iceland
The GRÓ Gender Equality Studies and Training (GEST) Programme is delighted to welcome its 2025 cohort of fellows to Iceland. This year’s cohort is the largest in the programme’s history, with 26 fellows from Africa, South Asia, Eastern Europe, and the MENA and Balkans regions joining this semester. Notably, the cohort includes, for the first time, three fellows from Ukraine. The previous largest cohort included 23 fellows, making this year a milestone for the programme.
The first fellows arrived on January 6, with the majority joining over the following days. Today, the cohort was officially welcomed by the Director of GRÓ GEST, Dr. Irma Erlingsdóttir, during an introductory session held at the University of Iceland. Dr. Erlingsdóttir emphasized the importance of the fellows’ work in advancing gender equality and encouraged them to make the most of their time in Iceland.
The 2025 fellows come from diverse sectors, including non-governmental organizations, government institutions, academia, activism, and politics. Several fellows are participating in the programme through Erasmus+ scholarships, further strengthening collaborative ties and fostering a dynamic exchange of knowledge with GRÓ GEST’s partner universities.
Over the course of the semester, the fellows will participate in six modules that form the foundation of the GEST postgraduate diploma programme. These modules cover a range of topics critical to advancing gender equality, including Theories and Concepts of Gender, Gender, Violence & Security, and Gender, Environment and Climate Change. By combining theoretical perspectives with Project Development Tools, the programme equips fellows to address complex challenges in their respective fields.
As part of their learning journey, the fellows will also participate in workshops, group projects, and field visits. A highlight of the semester will be the annual field visit to the South of Iceland in May, where fellows will engage with local communities and explore Icelandic approaches to gender equality and sustainability.
GRÓ GEST is proud to host this talented and passionate group of individuals and looks forward to supporting them as they contribute to advancing gender equality and development worldwide.
This year's GRÓ GEST fellows are:
- Ayesha Amin - Pakistan
- Alexis van den Heever - South Africa
- Antovna Gyawali - Nepal
- Bintu Kamara - Sierra Leone
- Diana Yarova - Ukraine
- Donika Çapriqi - Montenegro
- Entenela Ndrevataj - Albania
- Fariah Lalaikipian - Kenya
- Godsway Cofie Obro-Boateng - Ghana
- Impana Chandrakant Shenoy - India
- James B Kollie - Liberia
- Juliet Nyarko Adansi - Ghana
- Julius Menya - Uganda
- Justina Ekuwa Annan - Ghana
- Kashmala Susan Syeda - Pakistan
- Kateryna Rostovska - Ukraine
- Laureen Odwe Amony - Uganda
- Nadine Abu Arafeh - Palestine
- Prudence Chavula - Malawi
- Rajkumari Anandrao Nimbale - India
- Rebecca Freedom Kandije - Uganda
- Reyaan Senadhipathi Nadesarajah - Sri Lanka
- Samprikta Chatterjee - India
- Samuel Katwesigye - Uganda
- Tugsbuyan Bayarbat - Mongolia
- Vlasta Kuzava - Ukraine