PTDF, Brazil varsity technology training scheme begins with 17 scholars

The pact between the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) and the University of Sao Paulo Brazil for the training of scholars in petroleum engineering and related courses has commenced.

The pilot batch of the PTDF/ University of Sao Paulo strategic scholars, numbering 17, comprise eight PhDs and nine M.sc students in a collaboration to harness the opportunities offered by the Brazilian academic system and their leadership in global oil and gas knowledge and research.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the PTDF and USP was signed last year proposing to establish mutual co-operation in the conduct of academic projects in teaching, research and community service.

The agreement specifically provides that there will be no tuition fees applied to PTDF Scholars for the duration of their studies in the University of Sao Paulo. Speaking at the induction ceremony, the Executive Secretary of PTDF, Bello Aliyu Gusau, said forging global partnerships in the training of PTDF Scholars would enable the Fund continue to deliver world class education and achieve better value for money in its programmes.

He described the pioneer set of scholars as exceptionally lucky to have the first opportunity of being exposed to one of the leading universities in the world with cutting edge technology in the oil and gas sector.

Gusau urged them to be conscious of their mission to Brazil as pioneering students of the PTDF-University of Sao Paulo strategic partnership and be good ambassadors of Nigeria and PTDF in their conduct.

The University of Sao Paulo is ranked among the best 50 Petroleum and Sub-sea engineering institutions in the world.

Meanwhile, the Fund has presented 100 Computer units and accessories, as well as 1,334 books on accounting and finance to the Federal Treasury Academy, Orozo, a suburb near the Federal Capital Abuja.