PTDF scholarship selection process transparent – Official

The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), says the 2023/2024 overseas scholarship selection process would be transparent.

Mr Ahmed Abdulkadir, the coordinator, North West Zone for the scholarship selection process, made the disclosure at the selection interview for Masters and Doctorate postgraduate programmes in Kaduna.

According to him, the selection process had been transparent and efficient due the portal upgrade in recent years as scores of candidates interviewed were uploaded on the portal.

“We tried as much as possible to automate the processes, the day the interviews are concluded, the results are ready,” he said.

Abdulkadir explained that 5,246 were shortlisted for the interview nationwide out of which 712 were interviewed at the Kaduna center with 457 M.Sc and 255 Ph.D applicants.

He said that candidates who scale through the interview would be posted to the United Kingdom, France, Germany or Malaysia to study courses related to oil and gas.

He added that the scholarship is for five fields of study – Engineering, Geo Science, Computer, Environmental and Management fields.

Some members of the panel who interviewed the candidates commended their performances, saying it was impressive.

Dr. Hauwa Ibrahim, a panelist, said that most candidates had outstanding academic backgrounds and also demonstrated their knowledge.

“For instance, there was a candidate that already has two publications with about 900 downloads; which is quite impressive,” she said.

Another panelist, Dr. Seniyat Lanre, said “we are looking at their background; how knowledgeable they are and their relevance in the oil and gas sector.”

She added that the interest of the candidates as well as their confidence level and passion for studies were part of the things the panelists were looking out for.

Meanwhile, some of the candidates who were interviewed, commended the organization for a stress-free exercise.

Ali Baba Usman, a Ph.D candidate who applied for Economics and was hopping to be posted to Malaysia if successful, said he would use the knowledge in ensuring economic development.

Hope Elijah, a graduate of Economics, said she applied for Energy economics and was hoping to be posted to the UK, stated she would help to improve the energy sector in the country.

Ashafa Abdulsalam, a graduate of Geology, said he had applied for environmental geology and was hoping to build his capacity on the field.

It was reported that the interview exercise would last five days.