Alumni meeting in Beijing

FTP fellows at the alumni meeting in Beijing. From right to left: Xing Kun (felow from 2014), Inga Dóra Pétursdóttir (deputy head of mission), Zhang Qian (fellow from 2017), Liu Xinshan (fellow from 2000), Þórir Ibsen (ambassador), Stefán Úlfarsson (specialist at FTP), Chen Huixia (fellow from 2019) and Pétur Yang Li (commercial counsellor).

On June 11^th four former FTP fellows, joined with 15 other former fellows from other GRÓ training programmes, in a GRÓ alumni networking reception hosted by the Icelandic embassy in Beijing.

In order to take part in the event the FTP fellows travelled from Dalian in Northeast China, where they lecture and conduct research at Dalian Ocean University, one of seven major ocean universities located along the coastline of the country.

To date, 122 fellows from China have graduated from three of GRÓ’s training programmes: 92 from the GRÓ Geothermal Training Programme, 29 from the GRÓ Fisheries Training Programme, and one from the GRÓ Gender Equality Studies and Training Programme.

The knowledge and expertise acquired by these alumni has had a significant impact in China, where many now serve in key positions across a range of sectors. The event aimed to strengthen these ties and provide a platform for new ideas and future collaboration.

The Ambassador, Þórir Ibsen, warmly received the group and emphasised the importance of strengthening ties with this dynamic and accomplished alumni community.

The Deputy Head of Mission, Inga Dóra Pétursdóttir, introduced the idea of establishing a GRÓ China Network, connecting alumni across their fields of expertise.

Susan Sun, a former GRÓ GTP fellow, addressed the gathering and shared her fond memories from Iceland and the value of continued collaboration and exchange.

Stefán Úlfarsson, a specialist at the Fisheries Training Programme in Iceland, attended the event on behalf of GRÓ FTP.