Contribution of UNU/GTP training to geothermal development in China

The Geothermal Training Programme of the United Nations University (UNU/GTP) in Iceland has been operating successfully for 25 years since 1979, financed mostly by the Icelandic Government. There have been 300 scientists and engineers, mostly from developing countries with significant geothermal potential, trained in the Programme to date. In 1980, the first Chinese Fellows participated in the Geothermal Training Programme. Since then, 54 Chinese Fellows, from 14 provinces, cities and autonomous regions, have completed the six month specialized geothermal training in Iceland, accounting for 18% of all the Fellows. Beijing and Tianjin are the areas with the most Fellows (14 each). The Chinese UNU Fellows are playing a very important role in geothermal development in the country. Many of them have become leading experts in their specialties in different parts of the country, and several of them have become well known in the international geothermal community. The UNU/GTP has given great support to China's geothermal development in the past 25 years. At the same time, the UNU/GTP has significantly promoted the friendship between China and Iceland.