GRÓ LRT strengthens collaboration with partner institutions during visit to Malawi
GRÓ Land Restoration Training (GRÓ LRT) recently conducted a mission to Malawi as part of its ongoing commitment to strengthening collaboration with partner institutions and supporting transparent candidate selection processes. The visit was led by Acting Director Guðrún Guðjónsdóttir and Project Manager Gunnhildur Guðbrandsdóttir.
The visit was funded through Erasmus+ staff mobility and aimed to support curriculum development and academic collaboration between GRÓ LRT and LUANAR University (NRC Campus). In addition to LUANAR University, GRÓ LRT’s partner institutions in Malawi include the Ministry of Agriculture, specifically the Department of Land Resources Conservation, and the Ministry of Mines, through the Department of Mines and the Mining and Minerals Regulatory Authority.
As part of the mission, the GRÓ LRT delegation visited LUANAR University, where the programme was presented to academic staff, followed by meetings and interviews with prospective candidates. Discussions highlighted shared curriculum development and priorities in ecosystem restoration, capacity development, and applied land management research.
Further meetings were held with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Department of Land Resources Conservation. These engagements focused on exchanging experiences from previous collaboration, presenting the GRÓ LRT programme, and interviewing nominated candidates. Discussions also explored opportunities for future cooperation and the alignment of training priorities with national land restoration and sustainable land management goals.
During the visit, the Acting Head of Mission, Dr. Erla Hlín Hjálmarsdóttir, hosted a reception at the Ambassador’s Residence, bringing together GRÓ LRT alumni based in Malawi and the Icelandic delegation. The event offered an opportunity to strengthen alumni relationships, share professional experiences, and highlight the long-term cooperation of GRÓ LRT and Malawi.
Overall, the visit reinforced GRÓ LRT’s partnerships in Malawi, supported a transparent and thorough candidate selection process, and laid a strong foundation for continued collaboration in capacity building, sustainable land use, and ecosystem restoration.
