₦airaland Forum

Yesterday, we started a course on Reactor Fuel Cycle and Nuclear Materials (This is exposing us towards Nuclear wastes). As you'd know, storing nuclear wastes is one of the biggest problem of the Nuclear Industry. Let me state that, it's not as it's exaggerated to be, however, the Nuclear Industry is highly regulated and things are done with so much carefulness so as not to endanger people. With over 100 reactors running daily across the globe, the world is not threatened at all by this presence of nuclear wastes. That is a story for another day.

The professor started by telling us the usual story of energy demand across the world where Africa has rising energy demand compared to the west (who has already solved their energy problem). He went on to talk about the prevailing Covid-19 and he explained why experts think Africa would be badly hit if it's not contained. And the problem is simple - Energy.

The cost of running advanced hospital equipment is costly, you spend huge sum of money keeping a patient for 14 days (or more recovery period) on a ventillator (Constantly) or through an oxygen supplier. Most patients in Africa die due to lack of electricity to sustain their treatment. Should Africa be hit with high number of Covid-19 cases, even with enough ventilator, it will be very difficult to survive.

Of all known sources of electricity, Nuclear is the cheapest, however it has a huge (Start up investment cost). It's the cheapest and cleanest. It takes about 5-7 years to construct Nuclear PP, so if energy decision is to be made, then it should be made quickly. These were just the things the professor was mentioning.

Let me address a point that was raised on the previous page about the French Education System.

This is ofcourse my own view or opinion.

You must have heard severally or hearing it now that the French Education System is very stressful and difficult. A quora search will also tell you the same. In France, one would find it very difficult to work and study. Also, jobs or regular students jobs are not readily available to students, so even if you want to work, you may find it much difficult to find one.

In France, there exist the regular University where students go through the natural selection process to gain admission and also the Grande Ecole (French Elite Schools) where admission is very difficult to get and students have to pass through several selective process before gaining admission into these schools. Hiring institutions also know this and thus, the salary are not the same for everyone (according to what I have heard from different workers).

The difficulty of studying in France increases according to the category of your school, and most difficult if you are in their Engineering schools. For regular university students here in France, it's difficult to work and study but those in Grande Ecole or Engineering schools, it's nearly impossible to work and study.

Class schedules are usually tight and in my case (and same for other scholars too). There are no free school days within the week, your schedules are tightly packed, with many classes ending by 5:30 except on Thursdays for me (My class ends 12:15).

The French believe so much in theory and application. They spend a lot of time teaching you how formulars are derived and wants you to also apply same. Even when there are more automated or advanced way to do it, the French system will require you learn both. Nothing is left behind.

Lastly, their grading system. This one sucks. Unlike other countries where you are graded over 100, the French grade is over 20. Where A starts from 17- 20, B = 13 -16.99, C = 10 - 12.99, etc. Exams questions are usually big (For us, sometimes, we have like 4 pages or 2 filled pages), with each question having like 0.5 points, some 0.25, some 1.5, etc. Before you gather many points, it will be difficult.

I have friends in Germany, Canada, UK, etc. Some with one year master program do not have tight schedules like we do here.

It's a very difficult system here.

Ifesinachi22:
Heard Covik One Nine really hit Nantes hard

Lol, its hitting everywhere hard. Last time I checked, we had 109 cases which isn't too much compared to over 29k cases in France. I also heard they brought in some Covid-19 cases from Paris to Nantes because the facilities in Paris are overstretched.

treelineinnovat:
Hey Mr Physics...

Brother, here I am

blowjohn:
Oga keep quiet. The truth is the truth.
If we had banned flights since we wouldn't be in this mess.
Am talking banning of flights ur talking borders.
The index cases in nigeria climed fence to enter?

Since borders to you means land borders, I am constrained to believe you are uninformed. I would be wasting time indulging you further.

blowjohn:
Sir, ma, or whoever u r. Ur information is a very sinister and wicked one.
First of all those countries u mentioned closed their borders when the bad signs began to show and banned all flights too .
Our health minister in a press briefing said they will not stop flights from china and UK about 3 weeks + ago.
Aside the first index case who was an italian, later ones were from flights from infected countries and Nigerians protested that they should bundle and quarantine anyone coming in from such countries. And if they cant, they should ban flights.
Ur commenting as if we dont know that part of the reason why they didnt close our airports was becos our politicians, big men, and their children were still abroad.
The government failed us that's the truth.
How many rumours and fake news have u seen regarding this pandemic?
Did u just say people should not google the symptoms of the infection?
Are u saying all victims have the same symptoms?

You are making noise bro. I am in France and I follow it strictly more than you do. US, UK, France, Germany all closed their borders last week when they already have over 10k cases.

If you don't have anything meaningful to post, please do not mention me again

May God help Nigeria.

It is time Nigerians unite together and fight this virus. US, Germany, France, Italy all have over 10k cases, they didn't close their border when they had even 1000 cases, yet none of their citizens are asking for the heads of their presidents.

This is not a time to play cheap politics or tribal, what is about to hit the country maybe beyond everyone. The best way is to unite together and see it as a common enemy. Stop the blame games and get your asses together, and fight Corona.

Stop the forwarding of fake news, rumours, and information that do not come from any verifiable sources.

When sick, do not visit the hospital, call the emergency help line, visiting the hospital puts the receptionist and everyone at risk.

Stop googling symptoms on google, once you have Covid-19, you will know. Stop creating psychological symptoms by googling symptoms of Covid-19 every minute and feeling same symptoms even when you do not have it.

Predstan:
That is the same way they do Practicals here too. Student do Practicals themselves, set up their equipment under supervision by the Laboratory custodian. But due to Corona they have to devise a new strategy while maintaining the same quality of the program.

Even if corona stops tomorrow, the whole of the Spring semester will be completed online.

So what happens to your Practicals now that you are 100% remotely offering classes??

Honestly if Corona stops tomorrow, we will return to call tomorrow. But if it lingers, we will have no option than to write exams online, and practicals would be pushed to second year of masters.

I learned that some students visas would be automatically extended to 6 months due to their inability to complete their internship due to Covid-19.

Honestly bro, I wish Macron could be generous enough to share 1k euros just like Trump is doing.

Predstan:
For classes such as instrumentation, electronics, and robotics, where components can be conveniently shipped to students, the department has ordered the components and sent them to each student so that they can work from home.
For courses where equipment and tools are stationary or too big, courses like industrial electricity, mechanical works and other courses like that. The Graduate Assistant or laboratory instructor is going to do a video of him carrying out the practicals while students are watching it live and can easily ask questions. Students will take measurements and request for whatever they need to know online. Students are not advised to come on campus, but for students that insist they want to or final year students who are carrying out their final project, they have to be scheduled for practical sections. Only 3 students are allowed to work in a lab at a time. Just like a medical appointment, you have to book an appointment with the laboratory custodian. These are only applicable to undergraduate students.
Graduate students and Graduate researchers can walk in anytime for research. But laboratories are limited to 3 people at a time. The library has over 700 laptops that can be lent out to students and software installation where necessary is available in the library for practicals like MATLAB, and other software-based practicals.

Public transport suspended(everybody drives their own car btw), we are on a state of emergency but not on a complete lockdown like that of Italy. You can order for your groceries online and get it delivered to you at your doorstep. Panic-buying is the biggest thing we are facing. I was in Walmart, I couldn't find water, chicken, beef or turkey even noodles. [b] Citizens are expecting 1000$ by the end of March. [/b]Corona is currently threatening the world but reshaping Education. High School students are really enjoying their online classes.

Wow, the emboldened is even more enticing.
Thanks for the clear explanation.

Like I said before, our classes will start online but practicals, it's been shifted or postponed. Our visit to the Nuclear Power Plant cancelled without any replacement. Our practicals is done in such a way that we the students do the practicals ourselves and assisted by lecturers. So watching video for us doesn't help because the video is done by experts which will have different experience performing the practical against newbies like us who will experience several difficulties handling the materials etc.

Our softwares are highly secretive, you can't access it even with school network. There's only one network you can access it with and that is when you are in the school environment and very close to the department. We are currently working with free software for a month. We were told that once we are given access to the license material, it becomes impossible to even login to the software without being within the school environment.

Of a truth, the virus is shaping the entire world, changing how we do things and distance learning isn't effective especially for STEM courses. We that use to drag our lecturers back to ensure we understood everything about the course. Well, we have been told to connect to zoom dot come

Predstan:
Why cant France have classes online instead of having to close schools completely. In the USA, we still have to do our classes remotely including Engineering practicals

Classes are starting online from tomorrow. Our exams will be conducted online too.

How do you do your practicals online? Have been wondering how ours could be done online since we are the ones that do the practicals but guided by the lecturers.

HRprof:
Is there possibility of calling off international travel ban in 2 weeks time in France ? I'm planning visiting Paris next month before my visa expired.

I doubt the possibility. The Covid-19 cases in France is increasing exponentially, France now recorded daily cases of over 1500. Currently, there are over 14k cases and figure is increasing on daily basis.

We were informed yesterday, that in the next 40 days, we will not be able to resume schools. So we expect the border to be further closed.

Nice thread op, more pictures please.

JOACHINpedro:
Wow... Business is booming over there.
Well, sellers over there have conscience, if it was Nigeria the cost of commodities will be tripling everyday.

Bro, it's not business booming but panic buying. Good thing here is that the supermarket do not have the right to increase the price of stuffs when demand increases against the unregulated type of business in 9ja where price of things will skyrocket with increase demand.

Ladies and gentlemen,

As I was typing this, the guy brought another one for me. I accepted it wholeheartedly. My people say, "if them give you, you go chop, if them no give you, you no go chop".

So let's eat brethren.

On another thought guys, if Nigeria experiences a total lockdown, do you think same Domino Pizza will share stuffs like this? I have scholars in Paris and they also receive some food items from the CROUS apartment.

Is the problem really the government or ..........

Yesterday, while being quarantined, someone knocked on my door, though I wasn't expecting any guest, I was hoping maybe someone decided to shine luck on me

Well, it happened the guy was a staff of Domino Pizza. According to him, Domino Pizza would be sharing Pizza the next day (today) to people who are in our residence. This is their way of supporting the government in keeping people within their residence during this tough moment.

I asked if it's free and the guy answered in affirmation. I told him never to withhold the rain of Pizza from falling on God's people.

So today, around Midday, I got a knock again at the door and it was him.

I was surprised because they didn't bring one Pizza, they brought two. One is Kebab Pizza while the other is Chicken Pizza

Pics:

1. Both
2. Kebab Pizza
3. Pullet Pizza
4. Both

When we learned about the possible closure of schools, I alerted my MD about my availability to work either remotely or in Nigeria. He was excited that I am free to take up work. He then requested that I look for any flight and send him the ticket or the price. The company was happy to have me back to work until the crisis is resolved.

However, I had few challenges before taking the offer:

1. The fear of being exposed on my way to the country
2. Fear of being a risk or source of possible risk to my family and my colleagues at work
3. My courses will be taught online from Monday, how free will I be to join the program in Nigeria while also working ?
4. The stress of travelling.

After thinking about it, I decided to stay put and work remotely. Also, if I had moved and with my recent health problem, I am sure, no one would want to stay close to me.

So I went to the market to stock things up but met an empty super market. The crowd in this big supermarket the day I went were much that I knew that it could be the only exposure to Covid-19 I may have encountered. Otherwise, I would have been so sure, I wasn't exposed.

Thanks guys for the warm wishes. I am most grateful.

The day after my birthday, i.e on Saturday last week, I had in audience, two Nigerians who came to my residence to celebrate the belated birthday with me since our classes ended late on Friday.

They came with some drinks which were mainly alcohol and wine. We got the day started, playing different kinds of games while enjoying the drinks. On Sunday, I noticed some signs of headache which I excused to be probably the hangover from the previous day drinks. This degenerated into serious headache that Paracetamol couldn't help. I was scared, this is Corona Virus regime, a military or dictatorship regime where we have been mandated to remain indoors. I am aware of the emergency number to call however, I didn't want to raise any alarm until I am sure, it's Covid-19. Everyone was scared, my parents, girlfriend, etc. I was told to treat typhoid, I did, nothing changed. Someone recommended I added Malaria drugs which I did and the situation remained the same. I was down, seriously down, couldn't look at my laptop screen for long. However, I wasn't coughing, but I had serious headache, my body was shaking, and the rest of it.

I remained with my self medication since I can't go to the hospital as I may be exposed to the most dangerous Covid-19. Having called all Pharmacist friend and uncles, the only thing to treat was Worm. My stomach was worsening as I couldn't lay on my bed for a long time. It was a scary period but after I took the Worm medicine, I began to get myself.

I had to indulge into indoor/inroom exercises and thank God I am fully normal and what I feared most didn't come upon me.

I am sure you guys were praying for me directly or indirectly, to this, I am ever grateful.

The Federal Ministry of Education has ordered immediate closure of tertiary institutions, secondary and primary schools nationwide following the outbreak of Coronavirus in the country and as part of measures to contain the spread.

Details later.


https://www.channelstv.com/2020/03/19/breaking-fg-orders-closure-of-all-tertiary-institutions-secondary-and-primary-school/

CsRockefeller:
Sincerely, you guys that keep up at series that tend to stretch for seasons like W.D and Grey's Anatomy are really trying.

I'm in W.D season 1 since last year, Grey's Anatomy S3 since 2 years ago and I wonder if I would ever catch up.

Lol, I have been following Working Dead and I think the evolution is legendary. It's no longer about zombie but the fight for kingdoms. People that 'survived' the outbreak now find it difficult to live together. Every time, they loose their loved one and the fight even get tougher.

xarookqh:
No, I haven't.
The Walking Dead might not be what it used to be, but saying Kingdom is better...

I think the evolution of The Walking Dead is good to keep the series going, however, I think it's time to end it. They have found the solution to zoombies and the problem now is human or kingdom survival.

Jamesrock:
GOOD MORNING GUYS!!!

Good luck to those having their interview today.

Pls I have some questions!!!

Venue- Ibadan; day- Tomorrow

- For presenting the SOP, should I make extra copies for the panels or they don’t need it.

- I am in Environmental group 2:1, I want to know if I can use HSE certification in place of professional body, because I have no publication yet.

What do you think please?

Come on guys!

Use whatever you have. Go with whatever professional certificate or membership you belong to and defend it. Let it be that you went with it and it was rejected.

I strongly advise guys here to be independent. Of course, it is good and right to ask questions but not all questions should be asked. There are questions one ought to be smart or intuitive about. I found the question above very funny to have been asked in the first place- how to title your statement of purpose.


Also, you don't need to transcript, all the interview is all about is to validate the documents you posted online. If you have your transcript, good, if you don't then go with what you have but you should at this point be in possession of your transcript (To me it should be important), however, I can't remember being asked to present my transcript.

Wishing you guys all the best.

Edicoco:
Happy birthday to you. I appreciate your generous updates and advice, especially with regards to studying/scholarships abroad. May you reap the fruits of your labor. Amen

Please I need your opinion on this. I was shortlisted for the ptdf oss interview (PhD). I have my BSc cert and statement of result for my MSc.

Will they accept my MSc notification/statement of result? I concluded my MSc 2017. Thanks

I am guessing they should. Everyone in the panel is a Nigerian who understand how the system works. They all know it takes time for most Nigerian Universities to issue M.Sc Certificate. So there's nothing to worry about.


Goodluck in your interview and thanks for the kind wishes.

Cousiim:
Happy birthday mrphysics!!

Pls sir coman epp me review my SOP, I was shortlisted for the interview, I need this so bad!

Alright bro. Send a PM.

And goodluck in your interview

So today is my birthday. Congratulations to me.

Few things has happened in the past. Previously, we were two Nigerians, but currently, I am the only Nigerian or say African in my class. Something good happened and my classmate left for good. I am now a lone ranger, but a committed one.

The prevalence of the recent pandemic-Covid19 has again raised a lot of questions in the mind of people, a big issue in the hearts and heads of conspiracy theorists. Whatever, you view about it is, one thing is sure, it is real and it kills. So guys, stay safe and always protect yourself. Do not propagate fake news or rumors about it as it could trigger panic. Also, remember our population is an ignorant one.

A lot of things has been cancelled, infact, unlike Nigeria that when a health minister gives information about Covid19, and Obasanjo says otherwise and people would believe Obasanjo more than the health ministers, the French people follow scientific recommendations and government directives. Ever since the outbreak, we have been informed through all means on how to protect ourselves. Wearing gloves doesn't solve the problem except you work in the hospital. We have been informed to always wash our hands, stay away (for now) from public gatherings, and do not visit the elderly (in other not to infect them). Follow same process too guys. We care so much about you guys and we want you all hale and hearty.

The world is actually not as big as we think. It's spreading.

I have got some nuclear stories, I will share them soon. Happy birthday to me.

Guys, we have a total education shutdown from Monday here.

electromagnito:
funny guy... you dey france education system still get time to dey do picture gallery... i want to believe if you attend Paris Sept like us, your head go don compress by now.... sha do get 14/20(if you manage get am at all�����) .... i just like french education system.... he go humble you when you validate with 10/20..... go old days in Cergy

lol, the results are not looking too good ooo. If I don't make it, it will stay nah with them, I no go kill myself.

I practically don't go anywhere, including church even during weekends. And I can't devote my entire life to studying only for Corona Virus to kill me

What is even the essence of all these killing of oneself studying and you don't have a life. One should be able to balance his life.

How I wish I have the time to do out and update this thread regularly, I would have been happy.

What I have done on this thread is the least I wanted to do. So if it's not enough to pass my exams, then they should all get high in Corona Virus. I don't care

kellyi:
thanks for all ur submissions on this platform sir, i would like to know if applicants who selected Germany are to apply on the daad portal before interview or wait till after

It's confusing shaaa.

First, it depends on when PTDF will release their list. Often times, they do it after Daad have finished shortlisting. Now imagine you aren't shortlisted by Daad (scholarship funding body) but received PTDF, would Daad still shortlist you?

Secondly, after shortlisting names, PTDF has a middleman that relates with Daad. They will send their names to Daad and Daad will have to shortlist (But at their own time) the names of the scholars. Remember, except Daad shortlists you, you won't enjoy the scholarship. The only available option is Blocked Account, which takes much time and it's not efficient as it's managed by Nigeria.

Lastly, the decision is yours. If you apply for Daad, and they shortlist you, then you don't need PTDF again.

Cousiim:
Sir please, can I edit my statement of purpose?

Well, let me try to address this so people will be informed.

Whether or not you edit your SOP, selling it to the panel is the most important thing. You won't be graded based on what you wrote but how you sold it. Infact, they will grade you immediately you leave the panel.

During my time, I was with them, when they graded the last person that did before me. All of them will grade you and I think the average will be your score.

Like someone said above, study your SoP very well, and sell it well. Let your SoP and your defense be top notch.

Jeweltz:
Wow. I like your decent reply. You're a scholar probably?

Maybe

shakaz:
mrphysics, I will need your input on an issue. Can I pm you?

Alright bro, but if it's something others can gain input from, I recommend you ask herein.

But if it's something that will require private info, then, my PM would be waiting