…2,288 candidates jostle for scholarship in S’South
Mkpoikana Udoma Port Harcourt — The Petroleum Technology Development Fund, PTDF, has began a physical oral interview selection exercise for 2,288 applicants for the year 2023 PTDF overseas postgraduate scholarship in the South South geopolitical zone.
The PTDF has also assured of transparency in the interview selection exercise, saying that previous scholars could attest to the agency’s transparency in the selection process.
The selection interview, according to the agency, is in continuation of the application process which commenced in February 2023, through publications in some national newspapers nationwide inviting qualified Nigerians to apply.
The PTDF Team Lead, Overseas Scholarship Scheme in Port Harcourt, Mr Sobomabo West, said the exercise for shortlisted candidates in the two categories – MSc and PhD – began on Monday June 19 and will end on June 23, 2023 across the six designated centres in the six geo-political zones.
West said the University of Port Harcourt’s Institue of Petroleum Studies was chosen as centre for the exercise in the South South, saying that while 647 applicants would be interviewed in the PhD category, 1,642 will be interviewed for the MSc in the South South geopolitical zone.
He added: “The PTDF Overseas Scholarship Scheme has over the years succeeded in producing well trained, competent and skilled professional manpower for the various segments of the oil and gas industry.
“The areas of training include Engineering, Geology, Environmental Studies, Sciences, Management, Law, Accounting, Renewable Energy, Information Technology and offshore related courses.
“Yesterday, we had officials from the Federal Character Commission and I can assure you that we are transparent in the selection process. We have qualified panelists to look at every applicant’s case and all these we do through newspaper publication.
“We have scholars who can attest to our transparency, the process. The shortlisted candidates will be published and anyone can go through that list to verify if they are not the same people who went through all these processes.”
Also speaking, one of the panelists and Postgraduate Coordinator, IPS, Dr Joseph Amieibibiama, said PTDF is the best scholarship in the world, incomparable with other scholarships schemes, including the Commonwealth scholarships.
Amieibibiama who himself is a beneficiary of PTDF overseas scholarship also urged the prospective candidates to work hard since the process was highly competitive, and advised potential beneficiaries to ensure to return back to develop Nigeria after their studies.
“They should work hard, it’s actually a rigorous process and highly competitive. As at when I got mine, we are only two who were selected from Rivers State. The process is not biased, you don’t did to know somebody to get the scholarship.
“For anyone who is selected for this scholarship, they should go abroad to study and come back to Nigeria develop the country,” he stated.
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