Somto BisinaOver 5,000 applicants from across Nigeria have been shortlisted by the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) for scholarships in overseas schemes for the upcoming 2023/2024 academic session.
The PTDF scholarships have a clear objective: to foster the development of the oil and gas sector by training individuals who possess innovative ideas and acquire the necessary skills for the industry.
During the selection interview process for MSc and PhD candidates, Mrs. Bolanle Kehinde-Agboola, the Head of the Overseas Scholarship Scheme in the PTDF, announced the impressive number of applicants who made it to the shortlist.
This rigorous selection process will determine the final recipients of the scholarships. Speaking about the interview process, Mrs. Kehinde-Agboola stated, “What is happening here today is the interview for the award of scholarship to Nigerians for the 2023/2024 academic session.
We have shortlisted over 5,000 applicants to partake in the exercise, which is going on in the six geo-political zones.” To be eligible for the scholarships, applicants must meet certain criteria. They must be Nigerian citizens and students in oil and gas-related fields such as engineering, geology, computer sciences, environmental sciences, and management.
Additionally, a minimum of a second-class upper division in any of these fields is required to qualify for the scholarships.
The PTDF is committed to maintaining the integrity of the selection process and has taken measures to ensure its fairness. The agency has employed external experts to review the shortlisted applicants, and equipment has been deployed to detect fake certificates.
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Mrs. Kehinde-Agboola emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity of the process, stating, “We have had a situation where someone finished from a university with a third class in Nigeria and came with a first-class certificate from a foreign university that is fake.
We were able to detect such fake certificates, and because of that, we decided to take a further step to ratify the issue by ensuring that this selection runs with integrity and diligence. This year, we have deployed some equipment that will help us to detect fake certificates.”
The selection process has been structured to handle the large number of applicants efficiently while adhering to federal character stipulations.
Upon the completion of the interviews, successful candidates will be awarded the scholarships, providing them with the opportunity to pursue their studies abroad.
The PTDF scholarships play a vital role in the development of indigenous human capacity and petroleum technology, aligning with the Federal Government’s objective of meeting the needs of the oil and gas industry.
These scholarships invite applications from suitably qualified candidates for overseas MSc and PhD programs, primarily in the United Kingdom. Furthermore, strategic partnerships with institutions in France, Germany, Malaysia, and China also offer scholarship opportunities.
The PTDF’s commitment to investing in human capital and fostering the growth of the oil and gas sector is evident through these scholarships.
By equipping talented individuals with the necessary knowledge and skills, the PTDF aims to drive innovation and progress within the industry, ultimately benefiting Nigeria’s economy and ensuring a sustainable future for the country’s energy sector.
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