Dr. Bello Aliyu Gusau, the Executive Secretary, Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) on Monday disclosed that the fund’s scholarships for Nigerian Universities would likely commence by the end of this month.

Gusau, who gave the hint during the induction programme for the beneficiaries of the 2018/2019 Overseas Scholarship Scheme (OSS) in Abuja, noted that the number of scholars that would benefit from the scholarship in local universities was expected to be higher than that of foreign ones.

“We are going to commence scholarships for Nigerian universities possibly by the end of this month and we expect the number to be higher than all the foreign scholarships. We shall possibly double that number,” he said.

The PTDF boss warned beneficiaries of the 2018/2019 Overseas Scholarship Scheme (OSS) to work hard to complete their studies within the stipulated period of their study, saying the fund would not tolerate extension.

He warned that the PTDF would not be liable for any stay beyond the stipulated period of the scholarship award, except in extenuating circumstances.

He said the scholarship would commence on September 2018 and sponsorship for the duration of the study would range between 12 and 18 months, adding that the scholarship covered only the scholar.

He charged the beneficiaries to focus on studies aimed at solving challenges specific to Nigerian oil and gas industry.

He added that the scholarship had a primary focus on Engineering, Geological Sciences, Environmental and Energy studies at both MSc and Ph.D. levels.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT