Thursday 10 January 2019

Tips on How To Ace The PTDF Scholarship Interview

PTDF Scholarship Interview
So you have been shortlisted for the PTDF scholarship interview? Congratulations! But so has many other people from your state who will be competing for very limited spots with you so this post is meant to give you a glance of what to expect in the actual interview as well as to give you some tips on how to ace it. First of all, do not be tensed. The PTDF scholarship interview is more of an informal chat than a conventional interview. It usually takes between 5 and 10 minutes There is absolutely no need to be scared. You've got this!



MSc 2019/2020 PTDF SCHOLARHSIP PROPOSAL ASSESSMENT TEMPLATE 


1. MOTIVATION 
A. How did you develop your research interest and why is important? Maximum 7 marks 

To answer this question you state how you came about your current research area and why you have decided to pursue this particular area. It could just be passion or it could be because it aligns with a past research project or maybe because of the bearing it has with your future professional goals.

B. Why have you decided to do a master's degree? Maximum 8 marks 

Unemployment or an opportunity to just travel out is not the answer to this question. Concisely explain how you quest for more knowledge and how your Bachelor's degree was not enough to quell your burning desire for more knowledge. Also, you might be asked why you can't gain such knowledge in Nigeria, explain why your chosen schools abroad would be more suited to your chosen research area.

C. Why do you want to go into your chosen field? Maximum 5 marks 

There is no one right answer to this question and it is one of the many questions in this interview whose answer is unique to everybody. A lot of introspection before the interview is necessary to get this question right. 

TOTAL MAXIMUM 20 marks 

2. ASPIRATION 




A. What do you plan to gain from your current research goals and your career goals? Maximum 8 marks 

This answer to this questions is unique to everyone but just make sure whatever answer you give has some bearing with the mandate of the PTDF scholarship scheme which is aimed at developing indigenous human capacity and petroleum technology to meet the needs of the oil and gas industry in Nigeria.

B. What do you hope to do immediately after you complete your master's degree? Maximum 7 marks 

Please do not make the mistake of telling the PTDF scholarship panel that you do not intend to return to Nigeria after your postgraduate studies. That is enough grounds to disqualify you. Remember the PTDF scholarship scheme is aimed at developing indigenous human capacity and petroleum technology to meet the needs of the oil and gas industry in Nigeria. So as far the interview is concerned there should be no doubt in the mind of the PTDF scholarship panel that you intend coming back to Nigeria to impact the Oil and Gas sector. The answer you give to this question depends on your field of study and your area of research. It could be that you aim to proceed to a Ph.D. and eventually take up a career in research and teaching, do relay that to them. It could be that you plan to return and kick off a career in the Oil and Gas industry in Nigeria, you should also relay that to them. Tell them what your plans are after you finish your postgraduate studies but make sure your plans are in line with the mandate of the PTDF scholarship scheme.

TOTAL MAXIMUM 15 marks 

3. PERSPIRATION 
A. How have your previous academic research and professional experiences prepared you for a master's degree? Maximum 7 marks 

Here you can try to explain how your past has influenced your decision to proceed to get a master's degree. Unemployment or chance to go abroad are not good reasons and not what the PTDF scholarship panel are looking to hear. There is really no specific answer to this question for everybody as your answer depends on your own unique situation. Maybe you did some good research work in your undergraduate project and you are hoping to continue research in that area in graduate school. Or maybe you currently work in the Oil and Gas sector and that has given you some research ideas you hope to pursue in graduate school. Everyone's case is different.

B. What exceptional achievements have you made? Maximum 8 marks 

Do well to use this as an opportunity to sell yourself to the PTDF scholarship interview panel. Do not sell yourself short but do not lie. You could be caught and that would be the end of your PTDF scholarship dreams, there is no coming back from that. This is another situation that is unique to everybody so do well to state your academic and professional achievements that you consider exceptional and also state why you think they are exceptional.

C. In the course of your career/academic experiences what contributions and/or impact have made?

This is similar to the previous question and is self-explanatory. State what contributions and impact you have made so far in your professional or academic journey. Have you done some groundbreaking research in your field? Say so. Were you the Founder/President/Exco of a professional body related to your field? State so. These are just a few examples.

 Maximum 5 marks 
TOTAL MAXIMUM 20 marks 

4. INTERVIEW 
A. Comportment Maximum 5 marks

The PTDF scholarship panel awards marks for comportment. Please try as much as possible to show confidence while speaking and answering interview questions. Even when you feel the interview is not going your way, do not fret. Speak audibly and dress neatly to the interview. Do not talk too much or you risk opening yourself up for more questions that you may not be able to answer. Be as polite as possible to the interviewers.  

B. Application to the oil and gas Industry Maximum 5 marks 

The PTDF scholarship panel wants to know how your research proposal/Statement of Purpose relates to the Oil and Gas Industry and how the research you are pursuing would benefit the Oil and Gas industry and its expected impact on national development. It is not enough to tell them your proposed research would change the face of robotics and Artificial Intelligence as we know, but you also have to go ahead and explain to them how the Nation and the Oil and Gas industry will benefit from your proposed research.  

C. Knowledge of subject matter Maximum 10 marks 

Yes! Do not go to the interview to sell wolf tickets--claiming to do things everyone knows you are not going to do. The PTDF scholarship interview panel is not stupid. Many of them are Professors and Industry experts and have enough experience and background knowledge to know when someone is bullshitting them. Some of them might ask you technical questions about your specific field. The question would usually be on concepts you were taught as an undergraduate or your final year project as an undergraduate while others in the PTDF scholarship panel would ask you questions from your statement of purpose.

TOTAL MAXIMUM 20 marks 

5. QUALIFICATION 
A. First Degree: First Class = 10 marks. Second Class Upper = 8 marks. Second Class lower = 5 marks 

This part is pretty self-explanatory. The PTDF scholarship panel usually awards marks on basis of the class of degree you graduated with. Those with First class degrees earn the maximum 10 points while those with Second Class Upper and Second class lower degrees earn 8 and 5 points respectively.   

TOTAL MAXIMUM 10 marks 

6. PUBLICATIONS 
A. Reputable Journal: at least a paper: each paper is 5 marks MAXIMUM 5 marks 

Do come with evidence of publication in any reputable journal or conference as it counts in your favour and it's an easy way to earn 5 marks. The PTDF scholarship panel usually prefers publication where you are the first author.

TOTAL MAXIMUM 5 marks 

7. NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL AWARDS/PRIZES 
A. At most 4 awards: each award is 2.5 marks MAXIMUM 10 marks 

Original copies of awards and evidence of Professional membership here could count in your favour. Awards could be anything from:

  • Best graduating student from your Department
  • Best graduating student from your Faculty
  • Best graduating student from your University
  • Previous scholarships e.g MTN foundation scholarship, State Government Scholarship, Federal Government Scholarship, AGIP scholarship, Shell Scholarship and so on
  • Awards earned at the end of NYSC (National Youth Service Corp)
  • Bring any award that shows you have been outstanding in any group whether professional, voluntary or academic.



TOTAL MAXIMUM 10 marks 

GRAND TOTAL = 100 MARKS


Tips for those in the Ph.D. Category

It goes without saying that the bar is raised a little higher for aspiring Ph.D. candidates. Below are some questions that you should prepare for.

Ph.D. 2019/2020 PTDF SCHOLARSHIP PROPOSAL ASSESSMENT TEMPLATE 

1. INTRODUCTION
A. Appropriateness of Proposal Title. Maximum of 3 Marks
B. Background of Study. Maximum of 3 Marks
C. Statement of Problem. Maximum of 3 Marks
D. Significance of study to the oil and gas sector. Maximum of 3 Marks
E. Aim(s) and Objectives of study. Maximum of 3 Marks

TOTAL MAXIMUM 15 Marks

2 LITERATURE REVIEW 
A. Extent of existing knowledge used and currency. Maximum of 4 Marks
B. Relevance of literature to the research. Maximum of 4 Marks
C. Acknowledgment of sources. Maximum of 4 Marks

TOTAL MAXIMUM 12 Marks

EXPERIMENTAL METHODOLOGY/MATERIALS AND METHODS 
A. Relevant Materials/Specification/Sampling Methods/DesIgn Method. Maximum of 4 Marks
B. Technique(s) or methods used for data collection. Maximum of 4 Marks
C. Methods of Data Analysis. Maximum of 4 Marks

TOTAL MAXIMUM 12 Marks


EXPECTED RESULTS/OUTCOMES AND REFERENCES
A. Analysis/Interpretation/Discussion of results. Maximum of 3 Marks
B. References (currency and consistency of style). Maximum of 4 Marks
C. Quality of the proposal (language, structure and literary style). Maximum of 4 Marks

TOTAL MAXIMUM 12 Marks

CONTRIBUTIONS TO KNOWLEDGE AND BENEFITS OF RESEARCH TO NIGERIA
A. Contributions to Knowledge. Maximum of 5 Marks
B. Benefits of Research to Nigeria. Maximum of 5 Marks

 You will also be assessed in the Interview, Qualification, Publications, National/International awards/prizes in a format exactly like the Master's assessment template above.

Related Posts
How I won the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) Overseas Scholarship to the UK
How I got the Pan African University Scholarship

34 comments:

  1. Hello Mr. Solomon, I want to confirm if an international award to bear a title, i.e JERUSALEM PILGRIM (JP), duly signed by the Mayor of Jerusalem and the Israeli minister of Tourism can be classified as a voluntary award and hence accepted by the interview (ptdf) panel. Kindly respond asap.

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    Replies
    1. Yes it can be accepted. But honestly, it is totally up to the PTDF scholarship interview panel to decide whether it would be accepted or not. That said, there is absolutely no harm in trying. Go along with the award to the PTDF scholarship interview and be ready to explain to them why they should accept it if they ask.

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    2. Good morning Mr Solomon, pls what is SOP? With regards to d screenin? Because they said we should come with SOP for MSc students

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    3. SOP means statement of Purpose. you will put the rationale behind applying for a master program in writting. I does your course of interest relates to the Oil and gas industry, what value are you willing to transfer after your program. What will you achieve during and after the program and so on. I hope this helps

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  2. Secondly, I want to confirm if an award issued for ones ability to climb mt. Saina, to pray and direct/lead others could be counted towards leadership/voluntary award and hence be accepted by the interview panel. Kindly respond asap!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, this can also be accepted. But honestly, it is totally up to the PTDF scholarship interview panel to decide whether it would be accepted or not. That said, there is absolutely no harm in trying. Go along with the award to the PTDF scholarship interview and be ready to explain to them why they should accept it if they ask.

      Delete
  3. Hello Mr. Solomon, I want to confirm if an international award to bear a title, i.e JERUSALEM PILGRIM (JP), duly signed by the Mayor of Jerusalem and the Israeli minister of Tourism can be classified as a voluntary award and hence accepted by the interview (ptdf) panel. Kindly respond asap.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Good evening Mr Solomon, Please, do you know if there will be an aptitude test just like the recently conducted NDDC test in 2018.

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    Replies
    1. I don't think there will be an aptitude test. PTDF no longer does that. They now conduct interviews.

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  5. Mr Solomon, will ptdf place one on a job after doing a local PhD with them? Or one will have to be roaming around for a job after the scholarship?

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  6. Good morning, Solomon. Thanks for this wonderful write up. During the cause of my update as one of those shortlisted, I uploaded only my final year academic record due to the size delimitation. Will there be any consequence for that?

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  7. Good morning mister Solomon, blessings to you for creating this blog and help people with this process. pls I want to prepare for the next round of ptdf scholarship awards. Pls can u help me with past questions

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  8. Hello mr Solomon. About the voluntary award issue, I was issued a certificate on a research carried out by a group of which I have been part of. Is that a voluntary award pls?

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  9. ... It is a certificate of participation, please

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  10. Hello Mr Solomon, please i will like to know if i am meant to secure an admission for M.Sc before applying for the PTDF Local scholarship scheme or are they the one to process that for me

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  11. Good morning sir I just saw I was short listed for this year scholarship (less) I saw the mail this morning and it was sent to me since may and resend last week Friday , sir I don't know what to do cause an trying to update my documents it not working

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  12. Mr Solomon. I wish to know if students who got to Masters admitted after doing a PGD are eligible to apply.

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  13. Hello sir....am already in my second year of my masters program and fortunately I was shortlisted for the interview....do I have the chance?

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  14. Well done Sir. Please i wish to know if a person without any publication can still apply for this PhD scholarship.

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    Replies
    1. Why not? Write a kick ass Ph.D. proposal and there is a chance you can get it.

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  15. Wellgl guided Write Up,Pls Mr Solomon I have an Awards as Best Class Rep and award of Excellent issued to me from the department Where i graduated during my undergraduate studies which shows My hardwork and Dedication is that acceptable?

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    Replies
    1. Take an evidence of the award with you on the day of the interview and present it to the PTDF scholarship panel. It's left to them to make a decision of whether to accept it or not.

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  16. Well done,pls Mr Solomon I have an award as Best class rep and award of Excellent issued to me from the department where i graduated which shows my hardwok and dedication I that acceptable?

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  17. Good day, pls I applied for the msc scholarship, is it advisable to tell them I have a masters certificate and I am just willing to get a 2nd one. Will that help or hinder my chances

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  18. Very lovely and informative. Thank you. Quick question: Does a membership of a professional body or an online certificate of learning count as an award?

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  19. I'm asking if someone can use waec and neco certificate for the scholarship, will it be accepted?

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  20. Good morning sir,
    Can someone use TOEFL/IETL? For the scholarship?

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  21. Hello Solomon. Thanks for this publication; I found it to be of immense value, especially knowing that past scholarship awards might be up for consideration by the board.

    Please are you aware if the 2020 award for OSS MSc will be for September academic start session or January?

    Appreciate your response.

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  22. Tnks For the helpful write-up Mr.solomon, pls,has any 2.2 graduate won ptdf scholarship?

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  23. Pls do the following also apply for PTDF local MSc

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  24. Mr Solomon. Thank you so much. I want to know if its possible to change school probably if the school you applied for do not have your research area.

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    Replies
    1. It is possible to change schools in the same country after you have gotten the award.

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  25. Pls when will the final list of Ptdf be out ?

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About Me

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My name is Solomon Ubani, I'm a computer scientist. I have few years of programming experience. I am happy to learn from you.