New agreement sees more Nigerians train at UCL

15 July 2009

Links:

ptdf.gov.ng/" target="_self">Petroleum Technology Development Fund

Information for prospective students - international

A delegation from Nigeria visited UCL on Tuesday 14 July to sign an agreement that will see more of the country's scholars train at the university.

The delegation represented the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), which was set up to train young Nigerians in engineering, geology, science and management in the oil and gas industry.

The PTDF set up an Overseas Scholarship Scheme in 2001 to provide funding for Nigerian students to study abroad.

UCL is already a popular choice with Nigerian students and 106 are currently enrolled here, a small number of whom are PTDF scholars.

But the university has now established a joint PTDF-UCL Nigerian Scholarship with UCL making a contribution equivalent to a 10% reduction in fees.

This agreement - signed by Muttaqha Rabe Darma, Executive Secretary of the PTDF, and Professor Michael Worton, Vice-Provost (Academic and International) - will facilitate the enrolment of more PTDF scholars at UCL.

Mr Darma said: "We are very excited about this agreement. We are entering into this relationship to manage with the International Office the placement of our students, to be trained and then to return to Nigeria. We are very pleased with the assistance our students get at UCL."

Professor Worton added: "UCL is committed to working in partnerships like this one with PTDF, which will aid brain gain rather than brain drain in the crucial area of the oil and gas industry in Nigeria. We hope that the education of these students at UCL will assist in the further development of Nigeria and are proud to be your partners. At UCL we have a very diverse community; students from 140 countries and staff from 100 countries. These students will help to diversify further that community."

The delegation, which included Ahmed G Aminu, Balarabe Zahradeen Ahmed and Safiyanu Abba from the PTDF, also met Professor Bernard Buxton, Dean of Engineering Sciences, Marco Federighi, Faculty Tutor in Engineering Sciences, Dr Nader Saffari, MSc Admissions Tutor in Mechanical Engineering, Dr Alistair Greig, Senior Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering, Nigel Percival, Director of Educational Liaison, and Dr David Stevens, Head of the International Office.

For information follow the links above.

Images: top right, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, Executive Secretary of the PTDF, and Professor Michael Worton, Vice-Provost (Academic and International); left, the Nigerian delegation meet UCL staff.

New agreement sees more Nigerians train at UCL

Follow us