According to the help desk line handler whom I just spoke to a few minutes ago, a separate MSc list is not on the horizon. PhD interviews would have to be concluded before a list (which would consist of MSc and PhD scholars) would be published. They promised to revert to all candidates "soon." My conclusion: If interviews aren't held by the end of this month, anyone who doesn't already hold/hasn't applied for an admission offer by Aug should set their eyes to resuming next year if they are awarded a scholarship.

Abokii8:
It is only the PhD scholarship that's been suspended. MSc list will be released in 2-3 weeks time. Mark my words.

I actually felt that the suspension didn't affect the MSc scheme when I first read the corresponding press statement because it particularly stated that "the suspension affects the conduct of the second week of the interview scheduled to review shortlisted PhD applicants in Four (4) Centers of Abuja, Kaduna, Port Harcourt and Ibadan", and not the entire programme. However, I couldn't be so sure PTDF realises that implication. We wait anyway.

hosey:


Unfortunately, the probability for cancellation is very high. Most schools in UK, France, Germany, Malaysia and USA have decided that next year lectures will be online mixed with just considerable group teaching with few numbers. Visa office are still shut and there is no international flight.

The aim for OSS is for you to do see and apply what you learnt practically which mostly involves travelling to the field, industries and overseas your country of study to acquire the expertise. It is not for you to do online course. Even current OSS students have just been in their accommodation studying online without any practical experience and no value of money. No jobs and lots of people are at home fighting mental health issues as no where to go and forced to stay home.

But just keep on praying sha so Coronavirus vaccine can be found.

I disagree that the possibility of cancellation of the scheme for this year is high - and this is based on the assumption that the management of the PTDF is sound enough.

Bear in mind that the primary essence of the PTDF is to upskill human capital in the Oil and Gas sector. Therefore, with the agency's inability to facilitate workshops and nurture relevant innovations due to travel and gathering restrictions, cancellation would communicate that the pandemic has rendered the agency redundant. If COVID19 then lasts longer than we expect, would it mean that the agency goes moribund for years? If yes, it strengthens the business case for the merger of the PTDF, PPPRA and PEF which has already been called for as that will serve to boost efficiency given that a then redundant PTDF should naturally not be eligible for any budgetary allocations.

So my take is that any right-thinking management would spare no effort to adapt the organisation to surfacing challenges and position it such that its relevance is not brought under any doubts. But anyway, this is Nigeria where apparent retrenchment of logic/reason in govt decisions is not uncommon. So again, my disagreement is based on an assumption of the "commonness" of common sense within the management of the agency.

emeritus007:
Suspended indefinitely.... their response till today

could you share the number? 'cos the notice of suspension specifically stated that the suspension was relevant to PhD interviews. If the programme has been affected by other eventualities, it's only fair that such is made public so individuals can decide on how to proceed.