The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has awarded N761 million in scholarships to 12 university lecturers to undertake doctoral studies in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines in France.
TETFund’s secretary, Arc Sonny Echono, announced this at a pre-departure briefing in Abuja.
Echono said the TETFund Scholarship for Academic Staff Intervention (TSAS) programme was established following an agreement between TETFund and Campus France, reached in April 2023.
He disclosed that the chosen scholars, hailing from eight public universities across the country, will receive a total of N761 million (€934,345) over three years, with each individual receiving N63 million (€77,862).
“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,” Echono said.
The funds, according to the TETFund secretary, would be disbursed to each beneficiary in line with the provisions of the agreement with Campus France, reached on April 18, 2023.
Echono added that the chosen scholars will undertake various postgraduate programmes 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 Centre of Lyon, France: 1 scholar; and Institut Supér
He urged the scholars to be exemplary representatives 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.
Echono reminded the scholars not to serve as an official representative of any government by engaging in political activities or in other activities of a public nature likely to adversely affect the reputation of the Nigerian government.
He warned the scholars not to combine the TETFund scholarship with any other sponsorship, and maintenance support from any other public or private organisation during the period of study.
