The 30th
annual session of the UNU-GTP opened in April 2008 and marked the 30th anniversary of the United Nations University Geothermal Training Programme (UNU-GTP). In 1979, the first two UNU Fellows, Agnes
Reyes and Nelson Bagamasbad from the Philippines, came to Iceland for six month specialized training. The anniversary was celebrated with a two day Anniversary Workshop at Grand Hotel in
Reykjavík, on August 26-27. The Foreign Minister of Iceland, Mrs. Ingibjörg Solrun Gisladottir, the Vice-Rector of the United Nations University, Dr. Janos J. Bogardi, and the Ambassador of the People´s Republic of China,
Mr. Zhang Keyuan, gave speeches at the Opening Ceremony of the
Anniversary Workshop, as well as the Director of UNU-GTP, Dr. Ingvar B. Fridleifsson, who gave an account of the history of the UNU-GTP. Rector Cornel Antal, from Oradea University in Romania,
spoke on behalf of the Former UNU Fellows, and expressed their gratitude towards the UNU-GTP and the Government of Iceland at the Opening Ceremony. The President of the International Geothermal
Association, Professor Ladislaus Rybach, sent
a letter of congratulations and best wishes for further successful operation of the UNU-GTP “- a very essential element in the chain of activities aimed at promotion and development of
geothermal energy worldwide”.Thirty three former UNU Fellows from 23 countries attended the Workshop, in addition to 22 current UNU Fellows from 15 countries and 8 MSc Fellows from five countries. One of the Fellows from the first class of 1979 participated in the Workshop, Dr. Agnes Reyes from the Philippines, who is currently living in New Zealand. All 33 Former UNU Fellows gave papers and presentations on geothermal development in their respective countries. Papers were also given by four selected Icelandic specialists, Mr. Albert Albertsson from Hitaveita Sudurnesja, Dr. Einar Gunnlaugsson from Reykjavik Energy, Dr. Gudni Axelsson from Iceland GeoSurvey (ISOR), Dr. Stefan Arnorsson from the University of Iceland, and by other Former UNU Fellows who were invited to the Workshop but unable to attend due to visa complications. In total 44 papers were presented at the Anniversary Workshop and an additional three were printed in the Proceedings (on CD). The Proceedings are also available by following the links below.
Over one hundred guests from the geothermal and academic community in Iceland, there amongst many of the key teachers and supervisors as well as former staff members of the UNU-GTP, participated in the Anniversary Workshop at Grand Hotel. It was a great experience to see so many of the UNU-GTP alumni and supervisors share their research results as well as meeting friends and colleagues from various parts of the world, reminiscing about the past, and plan for the future. These are the pillars of the network of UNU-GTP Fellows worldwide.
The papers presented at the Anniversary Workshop are available from publications .
