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.