News

Short Course VIII on Exploration for Geothermal Resources is currently underway at Lake Naivasha in Kenya. The course is hosted by the UNU-GTP, Geothermal Development Company, Kenya (GDC), and Kenya Electricity and Generating Company, Ltd. (KenGen). The course, which started on October 31 and will last until November 23, is a continuation of the short course series on geothermal exploration that falls within the framework of UNU-GTP Millennium Short Courses that have been conducted annually in Kenya since 2005.

On November 1st, a representative of the UNU-GTP was presented with the Victor de Sola award at an annual awards ceremony held within LaGeo S.A. de C.V. in El Salvador. The award, which is named after one of the pioneers of geothermal exploration in El Salvador, is granted to a person or institution that has given substantial support to geothermal development in El Salvador and especially to those who have contributed to the technical and scientific capabilities of LaGeo.

The United Nations University Geothermal Training Programme offers former UNU Fellows the opportunity to apply for an MSc or PhD Fellowship. The Fellowship enables successful applicants to study at the University of Iceland or Reykjavík University and covers the full tuition fees and living allowance. In 2014, at least five MSc Fellowships and one PhD Fellowship will be awarded.

The United Nations University Geothermal Training Programme received the honour of being nominated for the Nordic Council Nature and Environment Prize in 2013. The prize is awarded to a Nordic enterprise, organisation or individual, which has managed in an exemplary way to integrate consideration for nature and the environment into their business or work, or which, in some other way, has made an extraordinary effort for nature and the environment.

The closing ceremony of the 35th annual session of the UNU-GTP was held on October 11, 2013, with a record number of 34 UNU graduates from the six month specialized courses. In addition, five received a fellowship after a six month training in borehole geology that took place in Kenya this year. This is the first time a fellowship is rewarded outside of Iceland.

The UNU-GTP and the Icelandic International Development Agency (ICEIDA) held a short course on geothermal development for decision makers from Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Rwanda in cooperation with Kenya Electricity Generating Company and Geothermal Development Company at Lake Naivasha in Kenya from 25 - 28 September.