UNU

The United Nations University (UNU) was established in 1973 with the mission of finding solutions to global problems through research, capacity building and transfer of knowledge, particularly in developing countries. Iceland currently hosts three UNU training programmes. The UNU programmes offer six months post-graduate training for practicing professionals from developing countries. The programmes also offer short courses in partner countries and scholarships towards post-graduate degrees at Icelandic universities., The training programmes are funded by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and constitute a significant part of Iceland's development cooperation.

UNU-Geothermal Training Programme
The UNU Geothermal Training Programme, created in 1979, assists developing countries with significant geothermal potential to build capacity in geothermal exploration and development The National Energy Authority hosts the programme and is responsible for its day to-day operations. The UNU-GTP regularly sets up workshops in developing countries and from their outset in 2005, over 450 people have attended. Interest in utilising geothermal energy is constantly growing and the UNU-GTP regularly receives requests for training and teaching, both from developing and developed countries interested in renewable energy sources. The university enrols students working towards their master's and Phd. degrees in addition to the 6 month training programme.

UNU-Fisheries Training Programme
The UNU Fisheries Training Programme, operating since 1998, has the objective to support developing countries achieve their developmental goals in fisheries through training, education and building institutional capacity. The goal of the UNU-FTP is to enhance knowledge on fisheries in developing countries. The Marine Research Institute of Iceland is responsible for its day-to-day running, but the UNU-FTP's operations are also structured around cooperation with MATÍS, the University of Iceland, the University of Akureyri and other institutions and companies.

UNU-Land Restoration Programme
The UNU-LRT officially became a part of the United Nations University in February 2010, when a cooperation agreement was signed between the United Nations University, the Government of Iceland, the Agricultural University of Iceland and the Soil Conservation Service of Iceland. The mission of the programme is to train specialists from developing countries which suffer from land degradation, soil erosion, desertification and the negative consequences of climate change, in the field of land restoration and sustainable land management.

The Gender Equality Studies and Training Programme (GEST)
In addition to the three UNU training programmes, the University of Iceland in collaboration with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs is currently piloting The Gender Equality Studies and Training Programme (GEST). The programme builds on the experience of the UNU training programmes in Iceland and follows a similar structure. The overall aim of the project is to provide the appropriate education and training to professionals from developing countries in order to strengthen their capabilities in the field of gender equality. It is envisaged that the GEST programme will join the UNU family when the pilot phase is over.