Tanya Davidson
Abuja — The Petroleum Technology Development Fund, PTDF, is seeking to deepen its partnership with Malaysia’s PETRONAS University of Technology, UTP, as part of efforts to strengthen indigenous capacity, research and technology development for Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
The partnership is expected to go beyond PTDF-sponsored scholarships, with the Fund seeking to leverage international expertise for its Centres of Excellence in Kaduna and Port Harcourt.
The Executive Secretary of PTDF, Professor Shuaibu Shehu Aliyu, disclosed this when a Malaysian delegation led by Tajul Arifin bin Shamsuddin visited the Fund’s headquarters in Abuja.
Aliyu said PTDF was expanding collaborations with leading international institutions to maximise the potential of its Centres of Excellence through knowledge exchange, collaborative research, technology transfer and capacity-building initiatives.
He said the objective was to strengthen local capacity while using strategic international partnerships to bring additional expertise and knowledge into Nigeria’s energy sector.
“PTDF is expanding its collaboration with leading international institutions to maximise the potential of its Centres of Excellence in Kaduna and Port Harcourt through knowledge exchange, collaborative research, technology transfer and capacity-building initiatives,” he said.
The UTP delegation, meanwhile, expressed interest in deepening its existing partnership with PTDF, particularly in human capital development for Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
The university commended the performance of PTDF-sponsored Nigerian scholars at UTP, noting that the students had continued to record strong academic results.
The delegation also disclosed plans to facilitate the establishment of a UTP Alumni Association in Nigeria, with PTDF-sponsored scholars expected to form a significant part of its prospective membership.
Aliyu said PTDF remained committed to developing indigenous human and institutional capacity while building international partnerships capable of supporting innovation and knowledge development.
He stressed that such partnerships should ultimately produce sustainable and mutually beneficial frameworks for the long-term development of Nigeria’s energy industry.
The engagement comes as PTDF seeks to maximise the role of its Centres of Excellence in developing specialised technical and professional capacity for the Nigerian oil and gas sector.
