Under the TETFund Scholarship for Academic Staff Intervention (TSAS) programme, the Federal Government, through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), has granted scholarships to twelve Nigerian lecturers from public tertiary institutions to pursue doctoral, PhD studies in science-related fields in France.
At a pre-departure briefing in Abuja, TETFund Executive Secretary Sonny Echono revealed that the agreement between TETFund and Campus France, which was concluded in April 2023, was officially put into action.
The TSAS is intended to give financial support to professors of Nigeria’s public tertiary institutions pursuing postgraduate studies, according to Echono, who revealed that the fund had trained nearly 40,000 Nigerian academics in postgraduate studies, both locally and internationally.
For the three years of the scheme, he added, a total of N63,457,600.40, or € 77,862.16, was granted in favour of each scholar. This comes to a total of 761,491,924.80, or € 934,345.92, for the twelve accepted scholars.
Echono further stated that the funds would be distributed to each recipient in accordance with the terms of the agreement with Campus France on Tuesday, April 18, 2023.
“The sum of N63,457,600.40 (€ 77,862.16), was approved in favour of each scholar for the Three (3) year duration of the programme, which amounts to a total of 761,491,924.80 (€ 934,345.92), in favour of the 12 approved scholars which would be disbursed to each beneficiary in line with the provisions of the agreement”, he said.
While stating that the 12 scholars were approved by the management of TETFund from 8 beneficiary institutions, Echono said the approval was Cohort 1 and was a sequel to the call for the presentation of eligible prospective scholars earlier communicated to all TETFund beneficiary institutions.
“The Successful prospective scholars would be undertaking various postgraduate programmes of National Priority at the underlisted Universities in France: Universite Paris -Est Creteil (UPEC), France: 3 scholars; University of Strasbourgh, 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 Superieur D’Electronique de Paris: 1 scholar”, he said.
Echono charged the scholars to be good ambassadors of Nigeria and 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.
“May I also remind you that, during your studies: all acts of Unionism by TETFund-sponsored scholars are not allowed: all forms of communication/clarification on matters concerning your studies should be done in a civilised manner 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 the 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.
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.
During a presentation, Moras gave the academics instructions on what to do both before and after they arrived in France. She emphasised the need for them to have all original documents—those needed for accommodation, travel, and other purposes—on hand.
“You have to possess your passports, your visas; you have to possess your admission letter, your accommodation paper. Don’t forget to bring ID photos and translate your birth certificate; you can do that at the French institute in Abuja or the French Alliance”, she said.
The Director of Academic Staff Training and Development at TETFund, Muhammed Garba, said the pre-departure briefing was approved by TETFund management to sensitise scholars on the fund’s guidelines, provisions of the MoU and agreements and the general conduct of scholars among others.