The New Zealand Embassy and the University of Auckland's Geothermal Alumni and Friends Event

Ambassador Taylor with the geothermal sector people

The University of Auckland hosted a function with the Embassy for geothermal alumni and friends from the geothermal sector on 19 May. Professor Michael Davies (Dean of Engineering) and Gary Putt (Auckland Uniservices) met with around 60 alumni and contacts from the geothermal sector to promote the University of Auckland Geothermal Institute which has trained over 160 Indonesian geothermal experts to date. Several students will shortly take up new scholarships offered by the New Zealand government aid programme which now provides opportunities for 12 Indonesians per year to undertake geothermal study in Auckland.

Professor Davies paid tribute to the alumni present and stressed the importance the University attached to building its connections with Indonesia as it develops its massive geothermal resource. Working with partners in Indonesia, including leading universities UGM and ITB and government and business sector, the University of Auckland had skills to share.

At the event, Ambassador David Taylor reaffirmed New Zealand's strong interest in geothermal and education cooperation with Indonesia, noting that proposals for a five year programme of new activity were under consideration; that a government to government education agreement will be signed shortly; and scholarships had increased by 400 per cent this year from last (50 for postgraduate study plus 12 for geothermal, up from 15 postgraduate awards in 2010).

For further background on Indonesia/New Zealand cooperation in the geothermal sector see the Ambassador's blog.