News Fellows Fellows 2025-26

Congratulations 2025-26 fellows

20 May 2026
Congratulations 2025-26 fellows

Today, 23 fellows graduated from the GRÓ Fisheries Training Programme, after completing a six-month training course, offered by the Icelandic government, as part of the country’s international development cooperation efforts.

This year's cohort included 14 men and 9 women, representing 15 countries: Panama, Cuba, Jamaica, St. Vincent, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Malawi, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, India, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands.

With the fellows who graduated today, altogether 535 fellows from developing countries have now completed the training course in Iceland since it was first offered in 1998.

Jónas Páll Jónasson, Head of Demersal Division, MFRI, welcomed guests and served as master of ceremonies at the event.

Daði Már Kristófersson, Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, addressed the gathering and offered congratulations to the fellows.

Nína Björk Jónsdóttir, Director-General, spoke on behalf of the GRÓ Centre and Ms Kellishia George from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on behalf of the graduating fellows.

Þór Heiðar Ásgeirsson, Director of the GRÓ Fisheries Training Programme, administered the presentation of graduation certificates.

At the end of the ceremony, Julie Ingham, Deputy director of GRÓ-FTP, announced the winner of the best poster award, Mr Prehadi from Indonesia, who worked on a habitat suitability model for sharks during the course.

Following the ceremony, a reception was held where the graduates presented their final projects to guests in a dedicated poster exhibition.

Dr. Jónas Páll Jónasson, Head of Demersal Division, MFRI and former Head of ARAM line, performs his duties as Master of Ceremonies at the graduation
The audience follow the graduation ceremony
Dr. Daði Már Kristófersson, Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs and former GRÓ FTP head of line and fellows̓ supervisor, addresses the audience
Ms. Nína Björk Jónsdóttir, Director General of the GRÓ Centre for Capacity Development, addresses the audience
Þór Heiðar Ásgeirsson, GRÓ FTP Director, introduces Mariam Kadama from Tanzania and her research project
Jessy Lugya from Uganda awarded the GRÓ FTP certificates for completion of the six-month training programme
Yuniarti Pumpun from Indonesia awarded the GRÓ FTP certificates for completion of the six-month training programme
Presentation of certificates to two Jamaican fellows, Annakay Crawford and Deandra Roberts, who joined the ceremony on-line from Jamaica
Fellows’ representative, Kellishia George from St. Vincent and the Grenadines, addresses the audience on behalf of the graduating group
Julie Ingham, Deputy Director of GRÓ FTP, presents the award for best project poster to Prehadi from Indonesia
The audience and the speakers panel
GRÓ FTP fellows graduating cohort 2025 – 2026 (inside the auditorium)
GRÓ FTP fellows graduating cohort 2025 – 2026 (outside the Marine and Freshwater Research Institute)