The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) has screened 600 applicants from the South-South geo-political zone for its 2024/2025 foreign scholarship program. This initiative aims to address skill shortages in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
Mrs. Ifeoma Nwokike, PTDF’s General Manager of Projects, shared details of the program during an interview at the Port Harcourt screening event. She highlighted that the scholarships are focused on training top Nigerian talents in critical areas of the oil and gas industry. Selected candidates will attend leading international universities, primarily in the United Kingdom.
Nwokike stated, “We aim to take the best of Nigerians and train them at top-class universities worldwide. PTDF scholars are recognized globally for their achievements.” The program’s key areas include Engineering, Geo-Sciences, Environmental Studies, and Renewable Energy, reflecting the industry’s evolving needs.
The screening process, conducted simultaneously across Nigeria’s six geo-political zones, will determine the number of scholarships based on available funding. After the interviews, the final selection will be made considering financial resources.
Ere Iyalla, Team Lead of the Overseas Scholarship Interview Programme at the Port Harcourt Centre, explained the selection criteria, which include academic performance, research proposals, and professional memberships. Candidates were able to choose their interview locations for convenience, with the program open to both MSc and PhD applicants.
The screening event at the Institute of Petroleum and Energy Studies, University of Port Harcourt, commenced on May 20th and will conclude on May 23rd, 2024.
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