The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) has affirmed its commitment to conducting a transparent selection process for the 2023/2024 overseas scholarship program.
Mr. Ahmed Abdulkadir, the coordinator for the scholarship selection process in the North West Zone, made this announcement during the selection interviews held in Kaduna for Masters and Doctorate postgraduate programs.
Mr. Abdulkadir emphasized that recent upgrades to the PTDF portal have greatly enhanced the transparency and efficiency of the selection process.
Scores of the candidates interviewed were promptly uploaded onto the portal, thanks to the automation of various processes. “We have made every effort to streamline the procedures, ensuring that the results are available as soon as the interviews are concluded,” he stated.
Out of the nationwide shortlist of 5,246 candidates, 712 were interviewed at the Kaduna center, comprising 457 M.Sc. and 255 Ph.D. applicants. Successful candidates will have the opportunity to pursue their studies in countries such as the United Kingdom, France, Germany, or Malaysia, focusing on courses related to oil and gas.
The scholarship covers five fields of study, namely Engineering, Geo Science, Computer Science, Environmental Sciences, and Management.
Members of the panel responsible for interviewing the candidates were highly impressed with their performance. Dr. Hauwa Ibrahim, one of the panelists, commended the outstanding academic backgrounds and extensive knowledge demonstrated by most candidates.
She highlighted the impressive accomplishments of one candidate who had already published two papers with approximately 900 downloads.
Dr. Seniyat Lanre, another panelist, emphasized that the panel considered candidates’ educational backgrounds, their depth of knowledge, and their relevance to the oil and gas sector.
Furthermore, the panelists evaluated the candidates’ interests, confidence levels, and passion for their chosen fields of study.
Meanwhile, the interviewed candidates expressed their appreciation for the organization’s smooth and hassle-free selection process.
Ali Baba Usman, a Ph.D. candidate who applied for Economics and hoped to be posted to Malaysia if successful, stated his intention to apply the acquired knowledge towards economic development
Hope Elijah, an Economics graduate who applied for Energy Economics and desired to be posted to the UK, expressed her commitment to contributing to the improvement of the energy sector in her home country.
Ashafa Abdulsalam, a Geology graduate who applied for Environmental Geology, shared his aspiration to enhance his expertise in the field. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to further develop his capacity in this area of study.
