2016/2017 PTDF Scholarship Scheme (Overseas & Local)

The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) is a parastatal of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources established by Decree 25 of 1973 for the purpose of developing and promoting petroleum technology and for creating the manpower needs of the oil and gas industry through research and training of Nigerians.

To ensure a steadfast To ensure a steadfast implementation of this mandate, PTDF is inviting applications from suitably qualified candidates for Overseas and in-Country MSc and PhD Scholarships. Awards will be granted for studies in the 2016/2017 academic session in the United Kingdom Germany, Australia, USA and France (Grenoble INP) as well as PTDF upgraded Universities in Nigeria.

2016/2017 PTDF SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME (OVERSEAS & LOCAL)

Applicants may please note that only those who meet the requirements below shall be shortlisted and invited for a Computer Based Aptitude Test, in the case of MSc applicants, while oral interview will be conducted for PhD applicants (full time and Split-site) on dates to be announced later. Following the aptitude tests and interview, successful candidates will be selected and awarded the PTDF Scholarship.

Criteria

A.)  MSc (OSS and LSS)

• A minimum of Second Class Upper (2.1) in an Oil and Gas related field OR a 2.2 with oil and gas industry experience
• National Youth Service (NYSC) certificate.
• Applicants must be computer literate.
• Possession of O/level with Credit in English Language; At least C6 in WAEC/SSCE or C4 and above in NECO.
• Applicants must not be above 30 years of age.

Applicants for OSS must be in possession of the following:

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) (USA).
• G.R.E (Graduate Record Examination) (USA).
• GMAT - for Management related courses (USA).
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) (UK).

B.) PhD (OSS and LSS)

• Applicants must be in the academics in Nigerian Institutions, teaching an oil and gas related discipline.
• Applicants must possess minimum of 2.2 in their first degree and a good second degree certificate.
• Applicants must submit a research proposal relevant to the oil and gas industry (of not more than 5 pages) to include: Topic, Introduction, Objective, Methodology and Mode of Data Collection.
• Applicants must include a valid admission letter.
• Applicants must not be over 40 years of age.
• Applicants must include their masters degree project.

N.B: Please Note that the possession of a valid University Admission Letter is compulsory for LSS MSC & PHD Applicants.

Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) Split PhD Program
In line with the PTDF’s commitment towards the domestication of its training programmes in reputable institutions within Nigeria the Fund began the PTDF Split-site PhD Program.

A Split PhD is a PHD program which allows an individual to split their research time between a foreign institution and an institution in the home country where they live and work. A minimum of one year is usually spent in the foreign institution and the remainder to complete their research in the home country institution, with regular communication with the supervisor overseas.

The primary objectives of the program are:

• To build capacity in the Nigerian higher education sector by providing joint PhD research training at a foreign University and the designated Nigerian Universities to selected candidates who must be academic staff in any of the PTDF upgraded Universities
• To foster collaborative research and exchange between academic staff of the participating Nigerian universities and academic staff of the Foreign Universities.

The PTDF Split PhD scholarship recipients are therefore expected to undertake the full-time PhD degree over three years and are expected to split their PhD study period one to two (1:2) between The Foreign University and their respective Nigerian University.

Important Features of the Program

• For now the program is open to academic staff in the PTDF upgraded universities only.
• Split PhD Scholarships will be available for the 2016/2017 academic session.
• The PhD qualification will be as agreed by the Foreign University (either a dual certification or an award of the Foreign or Nigerian University).
• The scholarship provides for candidates to undertake their PhD partly in Nigeria and partly Overseas and to be supervised by a Nigerian supervisor and a foreign co-supervisor.
• The period of residence at the foreign University will normally be a maximum of one third (1/3) of the PhD (ie a maximum of 1 year based on the maximum allowable period for completion of a 3 year study) and this period will normally include the second part of the first year of the PhD program or as agreed between the two Universities. Ideally, the time period at each location will be negotiated between the supervisors, candidate and the respective universities prior to the commencement of the PhD studies. It is important to NOTE that the length of stay in any foreign University throughout the program MUST NOT exceed 12 months and a maximum of two visits.
• Each selected Split PhD candidate will normally be supervised by an approved supervisor from the foreign University and an approved supervisor from one of the participating Nigerian universities.
• The scholarship covers full tuition and applicable service fees for up to three (3) years which include accommodation and living expenses, return air tickets, field trips, conference attendance, costs associated with supervision (including the cost of travel, accommodation and living expenses of supervisors for at least one trip each year to each other's university for the purpose of supervising their respective candidates).
• Any academic staff member of a participating Nigerian university who wishes to secure the PTDF Split PhD scholarship will need to apply for admission to the PhD program and will be required to meet all the Nigerian and foreign University selection criteria and other course requirements.

Nigerian Universities Eligible to Participate in The Split PhD Program

• University of Port Harcourt
• University of Ibadan
• University of Nigeria Nsukka
• University of Benin
• University of Jos
• University of Maiduguri
• Ahmadu Bello University
• Usman Dan Fodio University
• Federal University of Technology, Owerri
• Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife
• University of Calabar
• University of Uyo
• Bayero University Kano
• Federal University of Technology, Minna
• University of Ilorin

Foreign Universities on The Program

• University College London
• Newcastle University
• University of Central Lancashire
• Cranfield University
• University of York

However if eligible candidates identify and agree with supervisors in the following Universities for the Split PhD program, they may apply for the scholarship:

• Imperial College London
• University of Manchester
• University of Warwick
• University of Leeds
• Heriot Watt University
• UNSW, Australia
• Universities in Germany
• Other PTDF Partner Universities

Tips on Identification of Supervisors and Co-supervisors

• Prospective candidates need to identify a supervisor in their Nigerian University and then contact the Foreign University with an indication of their area of research interest. If the subject area of the proposal fits with the University's research profile, then the relevant faculty will assist candidates in finding supervisors and other necessary requirements of the University.
• There is wide variation in how prospective students go about identifying supervisors and co-supervisors in foreign institutions. Each Faculty/Department has a team of postgraduate research student advisors who can advise about the preferred approach to identifying supervisors within their Faculty/Department. Most Faculties/Departments require applicants to identify the supervisor prior to submitting a formal application to the university.
• This will require applicants to commence a dialogue with a prospective supervisor who is known to them or who has been recommended to them or who they have identified through the websites.
• The purpose of the dialogue is to see if the applicant’s area of interest matches the interest and expertise of the prospective supervisor and to determine whether they will be able to act as the applicant’s supervisor should they be selected for entry to the PhD. Some prefer to allocate the most appropriate supervisor on the basis of the applicant’s research proposal following assessment of the application.
• It is important that prospective applicants familiarise themselves with the procedures and practices within the Faculty/Department which is most relevant to their area of interest.

Applying for The PTDF Split-PhD Scholarship

• PTDF application forms will be available online from August 2015 for prospective candidates interested in the PTDF Split PhD program. The approved petroleum related research areas will be contained in the PTDF application form.

Documents to Scan and Attach to the Application Form
Applicants are advised to scan copies of the following documents and attach to their online application forms:

• First Degree Certificate or Statement of Result.
• NYSC discharge certificate.
• WAEC/GCE/SSCE/NECO Results or provide PIN numbers on the application forms to enable PTDF view the results on the relevant website.
• Recent Passport Photograph.
• Local Government Identification Letter.
• Master’s Degree Certificate (PhD Applicants only).
• Admission Letter (PhD Applicants).
• Birth Certificate.

List of Approved Courses for Sponsorship
Scholarships will be offered for admission into the under listed courses (for overseas MSc). Candidates are advised, to apply for admission into Universities in the UK, Germany, Norway Australia and the United States that offer these courses, while applying for the Petroleum Technology Development Fund Scholarship. The Local scholarship scheme applicants can apply to all Federal Universities and Centre of Exellence in Courses core to Oil & Gas Industry.

MSc.
Scholarships will be offered for admission into the under listed courses (for overseas MSc). Candidates are advised to apply for admission into universities in the UK and France that offer these courses, while applying for the Petroleum Development Fund Scholarship.

• Assets Management (Engineering Asset Management)
• Basin Evolution and Dynamics
• Control System And Applied Instrumentation
• Design of Rotating Machines
• Diving and Under Water Technology
• Energy Systems Engineering
• Environmental Engineering
• Environmental Remote Sensing
• Fire and Explosion Engineering
• Flow Assurance
• Fluid Mechanics and Energetic (France)
• Health Safety and Environmental
• Hydraulic Engineering (France)
• International Shipping
• Marine computational Fluid Dynamics
• Maritime Operation
• Offshore and Ocean Technology
• Offshore Engineering
• Petroleum Engineering (UK, UNSW, Australia)
• Pipeline Engineering
• Purchasing and Supply Chain Management
• Refinery Design and Operations
• Renewable Energy Engineering (UNSW - Australia)
• Subsea Engineering
• Thermal Power (Gas Turbine Option)
• Geothermal Engineering (Germany)
• Mechatronics and Mechanical Systems Engineering (USP - Brasil, Germany)
• Naval and Ocean Engineering (USP, Brazil)
• Mining and Petroleum Engineering (USP, Brasil)
• Production Engineering (USP, Brasil)
• Systems Engineering and Engineering (Germany)
• Geology and Petroleum Geology (Germany)
• Reservoir Engineering/Production Technology (Germany)

PhD - Priority Research Areas
The PhD research areas in addition to the afore-listed MSc program areas may also include any of the following related areas:

• Environmental Studies and HSE (Health, Safety and Environment).
• Marginal Fields Development.
• Flow Assurance and Pipeline Engineering.
• Geology and Petroleum Geology.
• Civil and Marine Engineering.
• Renewable Energy.
• Reservoir Engineering/Production Technology.
• Refining Technology.
• Ship Building and Marine Technology

Application Closing Date
31st October, 2015.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click Here to Start Application

Note: When the page opens, Click "Apply now" under the "Quick Links" at the right corner of the page, then select your preferred scholarship programme. DO NOT REFRESH YOUR BROWSER  OR CLICK YOUR BROWSER BACK BUTTON WHILE APPLYING.

Application Forms can be accessed online using an ATM (Interswitch, Master Card & Visa card) or through purchase of a scratch card from designated main branches of First Bank of Nigeria Plc in all the 36 States and FCT, upon payment of a Non-Refundable sum of N1,000 (One Thousand Naira Only). Instructions on how to access the form online is clearly stated on the backside of the cards.

Please Note That:

• Recipients of a similar scholarship need not apply.
• Applicants who already possess a master’s degree should not apply for M.Sc programme, but are qualified to apply for the PhD.