How to Apply for PTDF Scholarship in 2023

Are you interested in pursuing a postgraduate degree in petroleum technology or related fields? Do you want to study at some of the best universities in the world with full financial support? If yes, then you should consider applying for the PTDF scholarship in 2023.

The PetroleumTechnology Development Fund (PTDF) is a parastatal under the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources in Nigeria. Its main objective is to develop indigenous human capacity and petroleum technology to meet the needs of the oil and gas industry. One of its programmes is the PTDF scholarship scheme, which offers two categories of scholarships: in-country and overseas.

The in-country scholarships are for Nigerian students who wish to pursue their MSc or PhD degrees in selected Nigerian universities. The overseas scholarships are for Nigerian students who wish to pursue their MSc or PhD degrees in partner universities in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Malaysia.

The PTDF scholarships are highly competitive and prestigious. They provide a comprehensive award package that covers flight tickets, health insurance, tuition fees, bench fees, and living allowances. They also offer an opportunity to study at a world-class institution with a diversified pool of knowledge and facilities.

In this article, we will guide you through the eligibility criteria, application process, partner universities, sponsored courses, award package, and conditions for the PTDF scholarships. We will also answer some frequently asked questions about the PTDF scholarships. By the end of this article, you will have all the information you need to apply for the PTDF scholarships in 2023.

Eligibility Criteria for PTDF Scholarships

Before you apply for the PTDF scholarships, you need to make sure that you meet the eligibility criteria. The general requirements for both MSc and PhD applicants are:

You must be a Nigerian citizen.
For MSc applicants, you need to have either a first degree with at least a 2.1 grade or a 2.2 grade with some relevant work experience in the industry.
You must have completed the mandatory National Youth Service (NYSC).
You must be computer literate.
You must have a valid admission letter from a Nigerian or foreign university (for overseas applicants).

The specific requirements for each category of scholarship are:

For in-country MSc applicants, you must have a minimum of 60% in your O’level results (WAEC or NECO) in science subjects.
For in-country PhD applicants, you must have a minimum of 60% in your MSc degree.
For overseas MSc applicants, you must have a minimum of 60% in your O’level results (WAEC or NECO) and a minimum of 60% in your first degree.
For overseas PhD applicants, you must have a minimum of 60% in your MSc degree and a research proposal relevant to the oil and gas industry.

The required documents and certificates for application are:

First degree certificate or statement of result.
NYSC discharge certificate or exemption letter.
WAEC or NECO result (for MSc applicants).
Admission letter from a Nigerian or foreign university (for overseas applicants).
Academic transcript.
Passport photograph.
Curriculum vitae.
Research proposal (for PhD applicants).

You also need to obtain a National Identity Number (NIN) from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC). The NIN is a unique identifier for all Nigerians and legal residents. It is mandatory for all transactions and services that require identification, such as bank accounts, SIM cards, passports, driver’s licenses, etc. To enroll for a NIN, you need to visit any NIMC enrollment center near you with your original and valid supporting documents. You can also check your NIN status, verify your NIN, or update your NIN data on the NIMC website.

Application Process for PTDF Scholarships

If you meet the eligibility criteria and have all the required documents ready, you can proceed to apply for the PTDF scholarships online. The application process involves the following steps:

Visit the PTDF scholarship portal at [https://scholarship.ptdf.gov.ng/] and create an applicant account with your email address and password.
Log in to your account and fill out the application form with your personal details, academic qualifications, work experience, research interest, etc.
Upload scanned copies of your documents and certificates in PDF format. The maximum size for each document is 300KB.
Make sure you check your application carefully and send it in before the deadline. You will get an email to confirm that your application has been received successfully.
Wait for the shortlisting of candidates for interview. The shortlisting is based on merit and compliance with the eligibility criteria.
Prepare for the interview by reviewing your application form, documents, research proposal, and relevant topics in petroleum technology and related fields. The interview will be conducted either online or at designated centers across the country.
Check the PTDF scholarship portal or website for the list of successful candidates. You will also receive an email notification if you are selected.

The application deadline for the PTDF scholarships in 2023 is yet to be announced. However, based on previous years, it is usually around February or March. The selection process for the PTDF scholarships is transparent and rigorous. It involves screening, shortlisting, interviewing, and final selection of candidates based on their academic merit, research potential, and alignment with the PTDF strategic priorities and research areas.

A Guide to the PTDF Overseas Postgraduate Scholarship Scheme

The PTDF overseas postgraduate scholarship scheme is an annual programme that aims to provide Nigerian students with the opportunity to pursue their MSc or PhD degrees in petroleum technology or related fields at some of the best universities in the world.

The scheme is managed by the manager overseas scholarship scheme, who oversees the selection, placement, monitoring, and evaluation of the scholarship recipients. The scheme also provides a comprehensive award package that covers all the expenses related to the study.

The PTDF scholarship scheme handbook is a document that contains all the information and guidelines for the applicants and beneficiaries of the scheme. It covers topics such as eligibility criteria, application process, partner universities, sponsored courses, award package, conditions, and FAQs. The handbook can be downloaded from the PTDF website or obtained from the PTDF office.

Partner Universities and Sponsored Courses for PTDF Scholarships

The PTDF scholarships are offered in collaboration with some of the best universities in the world. The partner universities for the overseas scholarships are:

In the United Kingdom: Imperial College London, University College London, University of Birmingham, University of Nottingham, University of Manchester, University of Leeds, University of Southampton, Heriot-Watt University, Robert Gordon University, Cranfield University, and University of Dundee.
In Germany: RWTH Aachen University, Technical University of Berlin, Technical University of Munich, Technical University of Hamburg-Harburg, Clausthal University of Technology, and University of Freiberg.
In France: IFP School (Institut Français du Pétrole), Ecole Polytechnique de Paris, Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Mines de Paris (MINES ParisTech), Ecole Centrale de Nantes, Institut National Polytechnique de Toulouse (INPT), and Université de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour (UPPA).
In Malaysia: Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP), Universiti Malaya (UM), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).

The PTDF scholarships cover a wide range of courses in petroleum technology and related fields. The full list of sponsored courses for each partner university can be found on the PTDF website. Some examples of the courses are:

Petroleum Engineering
Petroleum Geoscience
Petroleum Geophysics
Petroleum Economics
Petroleum Chemistry
Petroleum Data Management
Petroleum Law and Policy
Petroleum Project Management
Petroleum Refining and Processing
Renewable Energy Engineering
Environmental Engineering
Gas Engineering
Subsea Engineering
Drilling Engineering
Reservoir Engineering
Pipeline Engineering

To choose a suitable course and institution for your PTDF scholarship application, you need to consider the following factors:

Your academic background and qualifications
Your research interest and career goals
The PTDF strategic priorities and research areas

The PTDF strategic priorities are:

Domestication: To promote the development and utilization of local content and indigenous technology in the oil and gas industry.
Optimization: To optimize the value chain of the oil and gas industry by enhancing efficiency, productivity, and profitability.
Diversification: To diversify the energy mix and sources by exploring alternative and renewable energy options.
Environmental Sustainability: To ensure environmental protection and safety in the oil and gas industry by adopting best practices and standards.

The PTDF research areas are:

Exploration and Production Technologies
Refining Technologies
Gas Technologies
Renewable Energy Technologies
Environmental Technologies
Health, Safety, Security, Environment (HSSE) Management Systems

By choosing a course and institution that aligns with your academic background, research interest, career goals, and the PTDF strategic priorities and research areas, you will increase your chances of being selected for the PTDF scholarship.

Award Package and Conditions for PTDF Scholarships

The PTDF scholarships provide a generous award package that covers all the expenses related to your postgraduate study. The components of the award package are:

Flight tickets: You will receive a return economy class ticket from Nigeria to your country of study at the beginning and end of your scholarship.
Health insurance: You will receive a comprehensive health insurance plan that covers medical expenses in your country of study.
Tuition fees: You will receive full payment of your tuition fees directly to your university.
Bench fees: You will receive a one-off payment of £600 for MSc students or £1,200 for PhD students to cover laboratory or field work costs.
Living allowances: You will receive a monthly stipend of £600 for MSc students or £900 for PhD students to cover your accommodation, food, transportation, books, etc.

The duration of the scholarship is:

One year for MSc students
Three years for PhD students

The expected start date of the scholarship is:

September 2023 for UK universities
October 2023 for German universities
January 2024 for French universities
February 2024 for Malaysian universities

The conditions and obligations of the scholarship recipients are:

You must maintain a satisfactory academic performance and submit regular progress reports to PTDF and your university.
You must adhere to the rules and regulations of your university and country of study.
You must participate in PTDF-sponsored activities, such as workshops, seminars, conferences, etc.
You must return to Nigeria upon completion of your scholarship and serve in the oil and gas industry or related sectors for a minimum of five years.
You must not defer or transfer your scholarship to another course, institution, or country without prior approval from PTDF.

For more details on the award package and conditions for the PTDF scholarships, you can refer to the PTDF scholarship guidelines on the PTDF website.

FAQs about PTDF Scholarships

Here are some frequently asked questions about the PTDF scholarships and their answers:

How competitive are the PTDF scholarships?

he PTDF scholarships are very competitive and selective. According to the PTDF annual report for 2020/2021, out of 15,822 applicants, only 1,372 were shortlisted for interview, and only 401 were awarded the scholarship.

How many slots are available for each category of scholarship?

The number of slots available for each category of scholarship varies depending on the availability of funds and the strategic needs of PTDF. For the 2020/2021 academic session, the breakdown of slots was as follows:

In-country MSc: 230

In-country PhD: 70

Overseas MSc: 60

Overseas PhD: 41

How can I prepare for the interview?

To prepare for the interview, you should review your application form, documents, research proposal, and relevant topics in petroleum technology and related fields. You should also practice your communication skills, confidence, and presentation. You can find some sample interview questions and tips on the PTDF website.

When will I know if I have been selected?

The selection process for the PTDF scholarships usually takes about three months after the application deadline. You will be notified by email if you have been selected. You can also check the PTDF scholarship portal or website for the list of successful candidates.

Can I defer or transfer my scholarship?

No, you cannot defer or transfer your scholarship to another course, institution, or country without prior approval from PTDF. If you do so without permission, you will forfeit your scholarship and be liable to refund all the expenses incurred by PTDF.

Conclusion

The PTDF scholarships are a great opportunity for Nigerian students who want to pursue a postgraduate degree in petroleum technology or related fields. They offer a comprehensive award package that covers all the expenses related to your study. They also offer an opportunity to study at some of the best universities in the world with a diversified pool of knowledge and facilities.

If you meet the eligibility criteria and are interested in applying for the PTDF scholarships in 2023, you should follow the steps outlined in this article. You should also visit the PTDF website for more information and updates on the application process, partner universities, sponsored courses, award package, conditions, and FAQs.

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