PTDF screens 229 candidates for in-country scholarship scheme

The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) has commenced the screening process for its 2023/2024 In-Country Scholarship Scheme, with 229 candidates vying for the coveted awards in the South-South geopolitical zone.

PTDF disclosed this on Tuesday as the shortlisted candidates from the region were interviewed for the scholarship scheme, which aimed to support Nigerians studying in local universities, promoting indigenous human capacity development in the oil and gas industry.

Speaking, PTDF Team Lead for the zone, Ere Iyalla, said of the 229 applicants, 99 are PhD candidates, while 130 are pursuing MSc degrees.

He said a rigorous selection process was conducted, and the screening was based on predetermined criteria, including academic performance, research potential, leadership qualities, and suitability for postgraduate studies.

He said PTDF’s In-Country Scholarship Scheme is part of the organisation’s flagship initiatives supporting Nigeria’s education sector.

He noted that successful applicants will receive full funding for their studies, enabling them to contribute to Nigeria’s oil and gas sector growth

He said: “We have 229 candidates registered for the scholarship in this zone, comprising 99 PhD and 130 MSc applicants.

“The rigorous selection process will be based on predetermined criteria, including academic performance, research potential, leadership qualities, and suitability for postgraduate studies.

“A pre-selection process will filter out top candidates for the interview stage, making it a competition among the best. The PTDF’s In-Country Scholarship Scheme aims to support Nigerians studying in local universities, promoting indigenous human capacity development in the oil and gas industry. Successful applicants will receive full funding for their studies.

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He explained that to be eligible, applicants must have full-time admission into a Nigerian public university, a minimum Second-Class Lower (2.2) in an oil and gas-related field, relevant publications and professional qualifications, and a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate or exemption letter.

He added that PhD applicants must also submit a research proposal and second-degree certificate.

An applicant, Engr. A. Adebayo, a lecturer II from the Department of Chemical Engineering, who spoke after his interview, said: “I just finished the PTDF interview. I applied for a PhD scholarship, and in the interview hall, it was a nice experience. The interviewers were warm, and they asked a few questions around my project proposal for my PhD. I gave my response and discussed the knowledge gap in the research and what the research is to bring to the table in the oil and gas sector.

“They were quite impressed by my propositions, and they were hopeful that the scholarship comes eventually. My research proposal is ‘Corrosion Monitoring and Prediction in Oil and Gas Refining Unit Using Artificial Intelligence: A Case Study of Crude Distillation Unit.’ My research proposal is on: Corrosion Monitoring and Prediction in Oil/Gas Refining Unit Using Artificial Intelligence: A Case Study of Crude Distillation Unit.”