Aid boost for geothermal study

Aid boost for geothermal study

Geothermal energy has been given a boost with 25 new scholarships available next year for international postgraduate students to study the subject at The University of Auckland.

The scholarships are being funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Aid Programme.

Of the 25 scholarships about half will be for Indonesians - building on the close cooperation between the two countries in the field of geothermal energy.

Faculty of Engineering Dean Professor Michael Davies says the University recognises that as a leader in geothermal research and education it has an important role to play in the Government’s plan for geothermal development.

“The University and New Zealand have a long history of sharing its geothermal expertise with developing countries.”

New Zealand and Indonesian engineers developed Indonesia’s first geothermal energy in the 1970s, and New Zealand has trained over 160 Indonesian engineers at The University of Auckland’s Geothermal Institute.

More than 850 students from more than 50 countries have graduated from the University’s Geothermal Institute with a world recognised qualification in geothermal energy; many have gone on to become leaders in the global geothermal industry.

New Zealand Aid programme, Deputy Secretary Amanda Ellis says that the scholarships will help contribute to sustainable economic development in the participating countries.

“New Zealand sees access to clean, reliable and affordable energy as essential for sustainable economic development and the New Zealand Aid Programme is pleased to be supporting this innovative partnership with The University of Auckland’s Geothermal Institute.“ Amanda Ellis said.

ENDS

Editors’ notes:
About The University of Auckland’s Geothermal Institute.
The Geothermal Institute provides a wide array of geothermal research, technology, education, training and consultancy through expertise spread across a number of faculties, institutes and centres.

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