In the symphony of educational progress, TETFund’s initiatives are sowing the seeds of intellectual growth in the fertile grounds of international education.
The Fund is nurturing academic minds through the enriching notes of foreign scholarships, unfolding a visionary architect of academic excellence, crafting minds for global prominence through strategic foreign scholarships.
TETFund therefore, emerges as a key player in nurturing academic minds through thoughtfully designed foreign scholarships, guiding scholars toward a future of global influence and scholarly distinction.
In this transformative journey orchestrated by TETFund, the impact of foreign scholarships goes beyond financial support; it has become a narrative of empowerment and academic metamorphosis.
By facilitating access to international educational landscapes, TETFund is not only investing in individuals but also in the collective advancement of knowledge.
These scholarships serve as gateways to a world of diverse perspectives, innovative methodologies, and cutting-edge research, cultivating a dynamic learning environment where scholars thrive.
The exchange of ideas on a global scale becomes a cornerstone, fostering intellectual growth, cross-cultural collaboration, and the development of a new breed of scholars equipped to make meaningful contributions on the international stage.
TETFund’s commitment to nurturing academic prowess through foreign scholarships transcends borders, creating a ripple effect that resonates far beyond the confines of the classroom.”
Recently, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), awarded scholarships to twelve Nigerian lecturers from public tertiary institutions to undertake doctoral, PhD, studies on science-related disciplines in France, under the TETFund Scholarship for Academic Staff Intervention, TSAS, programme.
At a pre-departure briefing of the scholars in Abuja, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sonny Echono, said the event flagged off the implementation of the agreement between TETFund and Campus France reached in April of 2023.
Echono disclosed that the fund has trained nearly 40,000 Nigerian academics in postgraduate studies, locally and internationally, saying that the TSAS is aimed at providing financial assistance to lecturers of Nigeria’s public tertiary institutions pursuing postgraduate studies.
According to him, the sum of N63,457,600.40 or € 77,862.16 was approved in favour of each scholar for the 3-year duration of the programme, which amounts to a total of 761,491,924.80 or € 934,345.92 for the 12 approved scholars.
He noted 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, 18th April, 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, he said this approval was Cohort 1 and was sequel to the call for 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.
He noted that this will help to foster innovation and contribute to the development of the Nigerian research and development sector and further enhance / Improve Nigeria’s Global Citation Index as it were.
“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 civilized / organized 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 organization during the period of study,” he warned.
Earlier, the Director of Academic Staff Training and Development at TETFund, Muhammed Garba, said the predeparture briefing was approved by TETFund management to sensitise scholars on the fund’s guidelines, provisions of the MoU and agreements, general conduct of scholars among others.
On her part, 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 on what to do before and after arrival in France, urging them to ensure all original documents to be used for travelling, accommodation and others were handy.
“You have to possess your passports, your visas; you have to possess your admission latter, 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.
LEADERSHIP recalled that TETfund previously sponsored over 37,000 scholars for both foreign and local PhDs, Masters, Bench Work, and Postdoctoral programmes in various institutions.
The development came even as TETFund recently signed several Memoranda of Understanding,MoU’s with some prestigious institutions overseas, including universities in Malaysia, India, Brazil, France and the United States with a view to boosting and enhancing the TETFund Scholarship for Academic Staff, TSAS programme.
Echono, on the occasion said as an agency of the government tasked with rebuilding and supporting the nation’s tertiary institutions, it was fully aware of the enormous responsibility and task before it, especially considering the importance of tertiary education in nation-building.
“The Fund has been entrusted with the responsibility of rehabilitating the physical infrastructure and other content aspects of the nation’s entire public tertiary institutions. To fulfill this mission, various intervention lines of the Fund were established.
“Over the years, the Fund has not only supported public tertiary institutions in the rehabilitation and provision of physical infrastructure but has also contributed to the training of academic staff in postgraduate studies both locally and internationally.
“It has also supported the development and conversion of manuscripts into books and invested in the libraries of these institutions with materials and other resources. Additionally, the Fund has provided support for conference attendance, research, and publications, significantly improving the standard and quality of teaching, and learning in our nation’s tertiary institutions. Despite the progress achieved, much still needs to be done, and the Fund remains committed to continuously improving its services and operations through stakeholder engagement and other means.”
The TETFund boss noted that since his assumption of office, he has taken significant steps aimed at repositioning and advancing TETFund’s objectives.
“This One-Day Interactive Engagement with Heads of Beneficiary Institutions was initiated last year to gather valuable feedback on TETFund intervention projects. These invaluable inputs received have been instrumental in refining our strategies and ensuring that our projects are tailored to meet the specific needs of beneficiary institutions. Some of the reforms implemented include a review of the Audit Process to curb attendant delays. We also took proactive steps to address issues related to distressed and abandoned projects across institutions.
“By strengthening and streamlining our proposals review process and implementing a robust Monitoring & Evaluation policy, we have been able to achieve smoother and faster execution of physical infrastructure interventions. Issues related to variation of projects have constantly featured in my engagements with institutions.
“The rate of inflation in the country has made it necessary that we reconsider the fixed cost regime for physical infrastructure intervention depending on the project lifecycle.
“Projects with more than one-year lifecycle are likely to be affected by inflation and rise in cost of materials, as such variation in such cases may be justifiable. The Fund is further considering either converting the Fabrication interventions line to Skills acquisition or introducing Skill Acquisition as an Annual Direct Disbursement Intervention line. There is also the need to undertake a comprehensive audit of all equipment, particularly the skill G equipment, procured and delivered to institutions to establish their status and identify those that require upgrade,” he further said.