PTDF screens 2,102 applicants for PhD scholarship in Germany, France, Malaysia
The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) on Monday commenced the interview of 2,102 applicants for Overseas Scholarship Scheme (OSS) for PhD in France, Germany and Malaysia. Speaking with reporters during
The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) on Monday commenced the interview of 2,102 applicants for Overseas Scholarship Scheme (OSS) for PhD in France, Germany and Malaysia.
Speaking with reporters during the screening exercise in Abuja, the Deputy General Manager of Education and Training, Dr. Mohammed Mustapha, said the postgraduate interview that commenced last week would be concluded on Friday this week.
Asked how many PhD applicants were screened nationwide, he said, "It's 2,102 nationwide."
He added that 912 of them were interviewed in the Abuja centre.
"But in Abuja, it's 912, spread five days," he stressed.
Mustapha recalled that last week he disclosed that the number of successful candidates will be a factor of the budgetary provision and a management decision.
According to him, PTDF will award the scholarship to one scholar per each state of the Federation in line with the Federal Character Commission requirements.
He revealed the oil producing states will get additional one slot each.
Stressed that the competition is usually very keen since the applicants compete with those from their states and it is always awarded to the highest scorer from the state.
The representatives of the commission at the screening were State Coordinator, Mr. John Imeji Uchara and commissioner, Prof Eugene Aleba.
Imeji disclosed that their mission at the interview was to monitor the exercise at PTDF in the 2026 selection of scholarship candidates for varsity program.
He added that their presence was to ensure transparency, fairness, equity, and balance to avoid any complaints of imbalance.
Meanwhile, one of the applicants, a chemical engineer, Tanko Fwadwabea was very hopeful he would win the scholarship.
On his research, he said, "My research topic is on process simulation, blue hydrogen production specifically, where the whole idea is to see how we can transition from high energy emission country to low emission country. "Basically, it's about the natural gas we have in Nigeria. Most of our natural gas are being exported at raw form."
Another scholar, Cornelia Collins-Onoha with a background in Geosciences said his topic was on the spread and persistence of antimicrobial-resistant genes in aquatic environments, which has basically affected people in the oil-impacted regions.
He added that "So we need to find out why are these people getting sick due to oil spinach, and why are certain treatments not working for them?"
From the perspective of the panelists, a panelist, Prof. Bashir Aliyu, said the exercise was progressing well.
He said panel was basically looking at the quality of candidates from their first degree, masters, capacity, ability, and the quality of the work they present.
