₦airaland Forum

Mails dropping...



For 2019/2020 PTDF Local Scholarship Scheme.

Are interviews over? Seems no one is sharing any experience again

TJ0987:
Got to the interview centre by 8am to meet 5 serious looking men and 1 lady at the reception. I could feel the tension in the air. Lol. I decided to break the ice by telling jokes and I successfully got everyone laughing and chatting within a little time.
By about 9.30am, the PTDF staff came to address us, and wish us the very best, after which accreditation commenced. It was already 10am by that time. We went in with our printouts, and were "clocked" in.
I was the first in environmental group to be ushered in. They asked me why I wanted the scholarship, I said because I loved research, and hopefully with the PTDF scholarship, I would be able to carry our quality research.
I was then asked to speak on my proposed research, which I did (I had crammed the sequence a night before, lol). There were 2 men and a woman on the panel. The next thing the woman asked me was why I wanted to do my research abroad since my study area and sample site was in Nigeria. I hadn't thought about that earlier. I told her because of the availability of facilities in the foreign country, of which she replied with "that's not true, we also have the facilities and equipments here in Nigeria" lol.
My award and journal were not accepted because I hadn't uploaded them when the site was active. Hard luck, because I think I read here that some people's were considered despite not having uploaded earlier.
I am more than grateful for the opportunity to have attended the interview (didn't even imagine I would be shortlisted) I really learnt a lot today. Truth is, in life you win some and lose some. So, I'm keeping an open mind. If God chooses to favour me with this scholarship, I wouldn't mind, but if not, we keep moving!!!

It's very necessary to keep an open mind.
Although I think it's not fair your journal and award were rejected.

Abokii8:
Any that summarily explain your achievements and how you stand from others but some panelists could be strict, saddists and extremely wicked and will find reasons to rubbish anything you presented especially awards that were not earned at University level.

Seriously, lol. That's how a member of my panel disqualified two awards from high school. I just didn't bother to argue.

Abokii8:
It is based on grace bro. When I saw some candidates profiles I nearly concede defeat and go back home. Some binded their SOP while others laminated it. I was dumbfounded when I saw someone with over 10 pages SOP for masters. I was like kaiii I am not ready for this thing o

Over 10 pages? I thought we were limited to just 600 words for MSc?

lubriderm:
This trend is getting too quiet. What's going on peeps? Where is the energy?

Peeps that were interviewed today don't wanna share.
Issokay

Gman01:
Gd evenin house. I had my interview today at 3pm at PTDF tower, Abuja. My 'O' level was scored 24 marks nd my first degree was scored 24 marks. I was asked ha relevant my course will be to the petroleum industry. Gd luck to us all.

24 marks for first degree? Is that for 2.1 or first class?
What's the total score for degree results?

Newcastle2023:
I learnt from a PTDF staff that it was only 40 persons per state that made it to the interview stage for MSc category and 30 persons per state for the PhD category. I wish all of us here all the best. I was also told the process is strictly merit based. That any other consideration is outside this particular process.

May the odds be in our favour.

Sheddy79:
They only accepted my NIIT DATABASE AWARD (Oracle 10g Database Administration)

How did they grade your O'level combined results?

theSpark:
I just feel one kind after it all. Last year, those that were overdrilled seemed to get the scholarships. This year, everyone in my centre came out looking stressed and disoriented, including me. It was so bad I forgot to tell the panelists they smelt nice. So i dont even knw what to think again. I think those in Engineering have a higher chance of getting the scholarships because, because they seem to be fewer. There were only about 6 engineers in my centre, and about 25 environmental guys. I was scheduled for 12 but i met the panel at 4.30pm

.

It depends though, my location had more of engineering candidates than other categories.

Who else was asked if he/she wanted full funding or part?

Relevant subjects for sciences/engineering

English
Mathematics
Chemistry
Physics
Biology/Geography

Moonie:
Any PhD done yet? Guys are you saying they can give 30 marks for O' Level alone (A=6 marks, so its 6*5=30 for someone with 5 A's)? That is too much. How many will they now give to first degree that the schools would be using to adjudge your merits. Is this the same for PhDs?

Lol, if you had 5 relevant A's, would you in all honesty, say it's too much?
There's change of plans this time for assessment. If you notice, nothing was said about professional memberships.

jackals:
how about people with C5 in the relevant 5 subjects

That should give you 10 (i.e 2 X 5) as your score.

Abokii8:
You mean that you know your total score?

No. Just score for O'level certificate.

Saryea83:
Mine was Abuja:
Grading of WAEC:
A1 = 6mks
B2 = 5mks
B3 = 4mks
C4 = 3mks
C5 = 2mks
Only 5 subjects will be taken which must include English and Mathematics.
I was really drilled as if I was going for PhD. How can they ask me what type of experiment are going to perform. Give us detail analysis. Hmm I fear, but I the Grading is just based on certificates, qualification and publications. Award too is very necessary. Did last year and again this year. Having award is not a guarantee cos I have two international academic awards. It has to do with competitors in same state with you.
All the best guys!

This must be true, I just added my O'level scores and it's same with what they recorded for me.

Any idea how many marks in total for publications?

mrphysics:
Mine was secondary school and it was considered.

Modified

Like I said, those that interviewed me didn't show good understanding of the grading methods. They accepted the secondary school award

Lucky you

Abokii8:
Pre- degree, IJMB to be precise

Go with it. They selected my scholarship awards.

Abokii8:
Will they consider state government scholarship for a Post secondary school studies as an award?

Post secondary school is definitely university I guess. They will. Go with it.

Sheddy79:
Is it just maximum of two awards or four? I saw Four on their marking scheme, or they are no longer using that pattern?

It's likely to be 4 awards. Apparently, any award from secondary school and below weren't considered. It's the ones obtained from university and above.

Sheddy79:
Any report from UNIPORT CENTER so far?

Not yet. Let's wait for them.

JOD1:
Please, any need for photocopies? Or they just need to see only the original copies?

Photocopies are not needed. Go with 3 or 4 copies of your SOP.

Abokii8:
If your institution's academic window has closed, then you have a valid reason to defer your award to next year. But if can't wait , you can settle for less provided that it is on the Ptdf list.

That's fair enough.

SenseiVoyles:
I really can’t say. I got it last year and I can say that it was largely fair. Virtually everyone who got it last year had a first class and various academic awards ranging from departmental BGS to varsity valedictorian. A lot really depends on your state of origin. I remember the ES mentioning during induction about how competitive the process was, he said there was a state where they had like 16 or so people with similar scores/similar impressive profiles etc.
It’s all a function of luck really and try to maximise any advantage you have. Last year, most MSc interviewees didn’t have publications so I figured that having a published paper in a major Journal along with my class of degree and academic awards meant my odds were strong and I was proved right.
Just do your best and hope it turns out positive. But I can say definitively that the process was very fair and merit based.
PS-I don’t think where you interview matters, I’m from the SS and I interviewed in Ibadan. My interview was even on the final day of interviews and my time was pretty late, yet it still worked out.
And if you selected Imperial, UCL, Manchester or King’s College, I’ll advise you to apply for admissions now and not wait for PTDF. Those schools are competitive and choosy and would have closed most of their applications by the time PTDF publishes their list. A lot of PTDF scholars had to settle for lesser schools last year because these schools refused to consider their application even with the scholarship.

Hello, just a follow up question pls. If a lot of scholars had to settle for lesser schools like you said, does it mean you can't defer your program till next year?

cc: Abokii8.

jackals:
That's a lie, More than 1.5M applied. And I'm sure the whole selection process will be man know man, as always ofcourse.

OK... Noted.

jackals:
That's not true tho, About 12,000 candidates were selected for MSc per state. And about two/three will be chosen at the final round per state

MSc OSS:
Total number of applicants initially = 15,822

Saimeritus:
100 MSC candidates per state where the best 6 will be selected, 3 for Germany/France and 3 for UK while it will be 4 each for the above for Oil producing States.

issa serious something

Minnieny:
I think invitation dates were sent 'on first come first serve' basis during the update application process.

I actually updated mine late, and I'm scheduled earlier.

Seems invitation dates are in alphabetical order, using surnames.

DanXplore:
Any IPS, Uni Port fellow for PhD? I will be coming from Calabar. I need a cheap hotel abeg

Bro what's up? I was following one thread before where you mentioned getting a PTDF scholarship for MSc in UK. Any tips for MSc applicants like us?

Who has an idea how many candidates are shortlisted per state?

Burchester:
Nigeria is a failed country. Having meet all the requirements yet they can’t shortlist someone. Things would never change in this country

You're competing with applicants from your state of origin. Hope you know this.