The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has awarded scholarships to 12 Nigerian lecturers to undertake doctoral degree programs in science-related disciplines in France.
Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sonny Echono, announced this at a pre-departure briefing for the scholars in Abuja. He explained that the scholarship falls under the TETFund Scholarship for Academic Staff Intervention (TSAS).
The Executive Secretary explained that the TSAS was established following an agreement between TETFund and Campus France, reached in April 2023. He also disclosed that TETFund has trained nearly 40,000 Nigerian academics in postgraduate studies, both locally and internationally.
Echono said the TSAS aims to provide financial support to lecturers from Nigeria’s public tertiary institutions pursuing postgraduate studies. He revealed that N63,457,600.40 (€77,862.16) was approved for each scholar for the 3-year program duration, amounting to a total of N761,491,924.80 (€934,345.92) for the 12 approved scholars.
He added that the funds would be disbursed to each beneficiary in line with the provisions of the agreement with Campus France, reached on April 18, 2023.
“The sum of N63,457,600.40 (€77,862.16) was approved in favour of each scholar for the three (3) years of the program, which amounts to a total of N761,491,924.80 (€934,345.92) in favour of the 12 approved scholars. These funds will be disbursed to each beneficiary in accordance with the agreement with Campus France,” he said.
Echono stated that the 12 scholars were approved by TETFund management from eight beneficiary institutions.
He clarified that this was Cohort 1 and followed the call for presentation of eligible prospective scholars announced earlier to all TETFund beneficiary institutions.
He said, “The successful prospective scholars will be undertaking various postgraduate programs of national priority at the following universities in France: Universite Paris-Est Creteil (UPEC), France: 3 scholars; University of Strasbourg, Paris, France: 1 scholar; Universite De Lorraine (L.G.IPM), France: 2 scholars; Universite Claude Bernard, Lyon 1, France: 3 scholars; Universite Lyon 2, France: 1 scholar; Cancer Research Center of Lyon, France: 1 scholar; and Institut Supérieur D’Electronique de Paris: 1 scholar.”
Echono urged the scholars to be good ambassadors of Nigeria and take full advantage of the opportunities to participate in cutting-edge research projects, collaborate with renowned researchers, and access state-of-the-art research facilities.
He noted that this would foster innovation, contribute to the development of Nigeria’s research and development sector, and further enhance the country’s global citation index.
He said, “May I also remind you that, during your studies: all acts of Unionism by TETFund sponsored scholars is not allowed: all forms of communication / clarification on matters concerning your studies should be done in a civilised / organised matter through the appropriate channel: you do not engage in any action or activities that may likely affect the reputation of Nigerian Government whatsoever.
“You do not serve as an official representative of any government: you do not engage in political activities or in other activities of a public nature likely to affect the reputation of Nigerian Government adversely: you shall NOT combine the TETFund scholarship with any other sponsorship, scholarship, and/or maintenance support from any other public or private organisation during the period of study,” he warned.
Earlier, the Director of Academic Staff Training and Development at TETFund, Muhammed Garba, explained that the pre-departure briefing was approved by TETFund management to inform the scholars about the fund’s guidelines, the provisions of the MoU and agreements, and the general conduct expected of them.
On her part, the Manager of Campus France, Nigeria, Laura Moras, expressed her delight at the swift implementation of the agreement, stating that both parties began managing it in August.
Moras presented an orientation to the scholars on what to do before and after arriving in France. She urged them to ensure they had all original documents needed for travel, accommodation, and other purposes readily available.
“You must have your passports, visas, admission letters, and accommodation documents. Don’t forget to bring ID photos and translate your birth certificate; you can do this at the French Institute in Abuja or the French Alliance.”
