PTDF INDUCTS 217 SCHOLARS

The Executive Secretary MR Femi Ajayi giving a speech during the scholars induction ceremony in Abuja

An overview of some of staff of the Fund and inductees

The induction of successful applicants who sat for the PTDF scholarship test and PhD interview was flagged off by the Executive Secretary on the 11^th of August 2014. Induction programs are conducted before the Funds’ scholars are sent abroad for their studies, the program covers a wide range of issues that ensure scholars are properly guided as they go for their studies abroad.

At the opening ceremony the Executive Secretary stated that a total of 217 scholars would be inducted, of which 174 were MSc Students and 43 PhD students, he thanked the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Minister of Petroleum Resources for their “timely interventions that made it possible for the Fund to conduct a joint aptitude test and interview for the 2013/14 and 2014/15 applicants”. Continue...

He observed that the scholarship program was critical to the Petroleum industry because of the wide gap in the technological advancements at the global scene as against the capacity of Nigerians.

He noted that the scholarship scheme has been a huge success in the United Kingdom and there were plans to move into other countries in Europe, Australia, the United States and Canada.

While addressing beneficiaries on what to expect at the induction exercise, he said that they would be “briefed by resource persons who were also beneficiaries of the scheme and so had firsthand experience of the program in the UK “as well as persons from the academia.

The Executive Secretary commended the brilliant performance of the scholars and enjoined them to be diligent in their studies and remain mindful of the mission and vision of the Fund and government’s policy and strive to be guided by them at all times.

After the Executive Secretary‘s speech, the scholars were given the opportunity to speak.

Each beneficiary hailed the selection process for the scholarship award and commended the transparency and probity with which the exercise was conducted. They concluded by pledging to be good ambassadors of the Fund and Nigeria while undergoing their studies abroad.