The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) has recently shortlisted a total of 606 candidates from the North-East region for their Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Master of Sciences (MSc) programs to be pursued abroad.
During the screening and physical verification of candidates at the Bauchi center hosted by ATBU, the Head of Overseas Scholarships at PTDF, Abdullahi Fari, disclosed that successful candidates will undertake programs related to oil and gas or renewable energy.
Fari emphasized PTDF’s mandate to enhance capacity, competency, and skills in the oil and gas sector, stressing their commitment to providing equal opportunities for all Nigerians to apply for PTDF programs aimed at overseas studies.
Explaining the selection criteria, Fari outlined the evaluation of candidates based on their O’level certificates, first degrees, and, for PhD applicants, their second degrees. For PhD candidates, the focus lies on the quality and relevance of the research proposal to the oil and gas industry, addressing industry challenges. On the other hand, MSc candidates are evaluated based on their statement of purpose and proposed research intentions.
Fari noted the high caliber of PTDF candidates, attributing their excellence to a transparent and merit-based selection process. In the Bauchi center alone, 606 candidates were shortlisted, with 204 candidates scheduled for interviews, comprising 102 for PhD and 102 for MSc programs.
Dr. Usman Hassan, a panelist and Head of the Department of Petroleum Engineering at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), emphasized the potential contributions of successful scholars to the national oil and gas industry upon completion of their programs.
Candidates expressed satisfaction with the screening process, citing transparency and relevance of questions tailored to their fields of study. Ijantiku John, aspiring to pursue a Master’s Degree in Environmental Science in Germany, commended the transparency of the process. Similarly, Husaini Mohammed, applying for a PTDF scholarship for his PhD in Chemical Engineering in Germany, expressed gratitude for being shortlisted.
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