The Tertiary Education Trust Fund, (TETFund) has awarded scholarships to 12 Nigerian lecturers from its beneficiary institutions to undertake doctoral studies on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) related disciplines in France.
The Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc Sonny Echono, during the pre-departure briefing of the scholars on Monday, in Abuja said the scholarship was under TETFund Scholarship for Academic Staff Intervention (TSAS) programme.
He said it cost the Fund the sum of over N63m to sponsor each scholar for the three-year duration of the programme, which amounts to a total of over N761m for the 12 select scholars.
The Executive Secretary said the 12 scholars were approved by the management of TETFund from eight beneficiary institutions, and the approval was Cohort 1 and was sequel to the call for presentation of eligible prospective scholars earlier communicated to all TETFund beneficiary institutions.
While noting that the event flagged off the implementation of the agreement between TETFund and Campus France reached in April of 2023, he said the number was small because those were the number that were able to meet the admission deadline.
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Echono, disclosed that the fund has trained nearly 40,000 Nigerian academics in postgraduate studies, locally and internationally and that the TSAS is aimed at providing financial assistance to lecturers of Nigeria’s public tertiary institutions pursuing postgraduate studies.
He added that the funds would be disbursed to each beneficiary in line with the provisions of the agreement with the Campus France which was reached on Tuesday, April 18, 2023.
Echono charged the scholars to be good ambassadors of Nigeria as they get quality education and to take full advantage of the opportunities to participate in cutting-edge research projects, work with world-renowned researchers and have access to state-of-the-art research facilities.
He noted that this would help to foster innovation and contribute to the development of the Nigerian research and development sector and further enhance Nigeria’s Global Citation Index.
“You are not allowed to abscond as we have ways and means to ensure you get back and any attempt to run away will only be giving yourself problems,” he said.
He however warned the scholars to avoid all acts of unionism in their host country or political affiliation and focus on the studies.
Earlier, the Director of Academic Staff Training and Development at TETFund, Muhammed Garba, said the predeparture briefing was to sensitise scholars to the fund’s guidelines, provisions of the MoU and general conduct of scholars among others.
Speaking, the Manager of Campus France, Nigeria, Laura Moras, expressed delight at the swift operation of the agreement, stating that both parties started managing its implementation in August.
Moras, in a presentation, provided orientation to the scholars by giving them guidelines on how to complete their registration, open a bank account and get various activities needed to ease their stay in France.
They were also advised to learn to speak French, make friends with the locals, be punctual and use libraries and public transport and that they can also do part time jobs.
