20+ Frequently Asked PTDF Interview Questions

January 16, 2024 · 17 min read

Securing a PTDF scholarship is a springboard to academic success, and passing the interview questions is the first step.

PTDF is the short form for the Petroleum Technology Development Fund offered by the Federal Government of Nigeria. The scholarship is for master’s and Ph.D. students who wish to travel overseas to study an oil-related course in a PTDF partner school or region.

The scholarship application is a rigorous one, and in this article, we will list the PTDF interview questions and probable questions you’ll be asked in the interview.

20 Frequently Asked PTDF Interview Questions
What Does the PTDF Interview Panel Mark Applicants Questions?
Conclusion
References
Recommendation

20 Frequently Asked PTDF Interview Questions

Tell us about yourself.

Your interview panel is not trying to pull a quick one by asking you to describe yourself. They are giving you an icebreaker to help you settle in for the rest of the conversation.

Of course, your response should be appropriate for the case. But it doesn’t have to be just a summary of your academic successes, hobbies, and goals (the interview will get to those eventually!).

Tell me a little bit about yourself, including your background and hobbies. Do not be afraid to tie these to your field of study and university decision.

Avoid tripping over words because it would appear like you answered hastily, which may lower your score because it suggests you are not very imaginative. Be fluent and natural in your voice to show that you are thoroughly thinking about your responses rather than simply repeating what you have previously written.

You can start by answering this question with your name, birth date, parents’ names, schools attended (if feasible, from nursery school to university), roles taken at different stages of your life, etc.

For example:

“My name is Chris Ibukun, and I was born on June 20, 1992, into the family of Mr. and Mrs. Olamide Wale in Shogo Village, Igbo, Abanga West LGA, Osun State. My mother works as a trader, and my father drives commercial vehicles. When I was six years old, I started attending Great Kids Nursery School, and in 1992, I went on to Divine Child Primary School, where I finished my six years of elementary education.

In 1998, I was accepted to Okeigbo, Ondo State’s Government Secondary School, where I graduated with my SSCE in 2006. Shortly after my JAMB, I was accepted to the University of Lagos to pursue chemical engineering. During my studies, I served as my group’s course representative, where I developed a strong sense of teamwork, sportsmanship, leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.

Can you tell us why you need funding to study this course?

The PTDF scholarship aims to develop competent local labor to fill key roles in the oil and gas industry. However, several recipients who left Nigeria never returned, leaving them undocumented immigrants abroad. The fund is concerned about this, so they must ensure that you need the money and that they can assess your intentions on a psychological level.

As a justification for your application, highlight a technology gap in the oil and gas sector and the need for creating local content. Also, explain how you could have applied for foreign scholarships due to the slow pace of Nigerian educational institutions and the lack of research facilities.

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

It’s important to remember that the panel is more interested in your ability to identify and assess your actual strengths and weaknesses than in your responses to these questions.

In reality, this includes giving examples of your abilities and demonstrating how they apply to the M.Sc. or PhD project you have in mind.

Simply stating that you’re a good timekeeper isn’t enough; instead, highlight the instances when you needed to be well organized.

A postgraduate interview is generally not the best place to wallow in self-doubt unless you are looking for a very specialized topic in Philosophy. Responses such as my only flaw, that I’m an excessive perfectionist, can come across as a little forced. The panel wants you to recognize and consider both your strengths and flaws if they are asking about them.

Discuss the things that are tough for you, but admit that they are areas that require training, and explain how you plan to improve.

In your response, you should provide an example of your greatest accomplishment as well as a situation in which specific factors prevented you or your team from achieving organizational objectives. However, you should not let them know that you are the cause of your team’s poor performance when it comes to your deficiencies.

This is your chance to concisely and accurately communicate your abilities to them.

Remember that no one is perfect, so claiming to be perfect would be completely false.

Sample response:

“When my coworkers collaborate to achieve a goal, that’s when I shine the most. For example, when I managed the third group of the market survey team during our fourth year of university, I was amazed by how well each member grasped the questionnaire data. This achievement was only possible because I persisted in pursuing what I wanted from them. On the other hand, one of my most serious flaws is when my teammates fail to finish an assignment. Even if I use self-control to avoid fights with them, it irritates me when people don’t understand the project’s core.”

Tell us about a time when you overcame a major academic challenge

Choose an appropriate educational encounter and use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result), emphasizing your ability to recover and solve challenges.

Example: “While conducting research on [subject], I found an unexpected data anomaly. By [steps performed], I was able to pinpoint the source and modify my study methods. This experience taught me important lessons about adaptability and perseverance, which are necessary in any academic pursuit.”

Tell me about your volunteer work and extracurricular interests.

Highlight your capacity to lead, cooperate with others, and maintain social responsibility. Choose experiences that demonstrate competencies relevant to your area of expertise.

Example: “As president of the [club/organization], I led a volunteer team in [project].” This experience helped me improve my leadership and organizational abilities while also allowing me to contribute to [a cause important to your career]. I believe these abilities will be useful in my academic pursuits and future employment.”

How do you stay updated in your field of study?

Demonstrate your interest and curiosity in academic issues by mentioning magazines, gatherings, or websites you visit to stay current on developments.

“I stay up to date by subscribing to periodicals like [publication] and attending conferences on [related topics]. Additionally, I regularly participate in online forums such as [forum] to talk and learn from other researchers in my field.”

What specific research area within [your field] interests you?

Go beyond what you know in general. Describe your specific research interests and how the program at the university of your choice fits them. Mention any trainers whose work you find inspiring.

Example: “My research interests are in [particular field]. I’m particularly interested in [university] because of Professor [professor’s name]’s study on [important topic]. Their research is well aligned with my own interests, and I believe that working under their supervision will be useful.

When you return to Nigeria, how do you plan to apply your newfound knowledge and skills?

Demonstrate your commitment to the country’s development by explaining in detail how you plan to use your knowledge to overcome barriers and progress in your field in Nigeria.

Sample: “After returning, I want to take [particular action] to address the issue of [major national problem]. I will also (add a specific activity) with the ultimate goal of [positive impact].

Tell me about a moment at which you were under pressure to act properly.

Emphasize your honesty and commitment to moral values. Choose an acceptable scenario and explain how you reached your conclusion and how you behaved to uphold moral principles.

Example: “I ran into this [ethical conundrum] during my internship at [company]. I refused to give in to pressure to act wrongly and instead took ethical action. My conviction that one should always act honorably despite outside pressure was cemented by this experience.”

How do you handle working under pressure?

Give an example of when you successfully managed pressure and the methods you used. Demonstrate your resilience and ability to achieve a set goal even under hardship.

In this case, “I ran into unforeseen difficulties when completing [project] on a short timeline. Through work prioritization, efficient team communication, and maintaining composure under duress, we successfully completed the project ahead of schedule and above expectations. I learned from this experience how crucial it is to be flexible and resourceful under pressure.”

What are your long-term career goals?

Make it clear what your future goals are. Describe how your course of study fits into those aims and how the PTDF grant will help you achieve them.

For example, “My long-term goal is to enter the [profession] and support the [particular field of national development].” With the PTDF scholarship, I will be able to study for a PhD in [area] at [university], which will provide me with the knowledge and experience I need to achieve my goals and, ultimately, have a positive impact on Nigeria.

When you return, how do you want to give back to your community in Nigeria?

Outline your plans for specific activities or initiatives you want to undertake, showing your commitment to social responsibility and community service.

Sample response: “After I go back, I want to start a [community project or initiative] that is aimed at [solving a particular need in the community]. I will also serve as a mentor to young people who are interested in [your field], encouraging them to follow their academic goals. I think it’s my duty to support the growth of my neighborhood and provide future generations with hope.”

Questions about the Scholarship

Why do you think you should be given the PTDF scholarship over other candidates?

Highlight your unique skills, academic accomplishments, and dedication to the progress of the country. Describe how your past qualifies you for this award.

Example: “I stand out due to my exceptional academic record, appropriate work experience, and steadfast dedication to helping Nigeria. I think I deserve to receive the PTDF scholarship because of my love for [field] and commitment to moral leadership. I do not doubt that, in addition to achieving academic success, I will return to Nigeria and significantly contribute to the advancement of my country.”

What is the most exciting part about studying abroad for you?

Avoid generic excitement and instead express your genuine enthusiasm for the chance by emphasizing specific areas that call to you.

Example: “At [university], I’m most thrilled about the chance to study under eminent academics and work on collaborative research projects with a variety of teams. Exposure to various viewpoints and approaches will deepen my comprehension of [subject] and provide me with useful skills that, when I return, I can use to further Nigeria’s development.”

How did you develop your research interest, and why is it important?

In answer to this question, explain how your present study area came about and why you chose to pursue it. Your motivations could include a simple desire to pursue your interest, congruence with previous study efforts, or possible relevance to your future professional goals.

Why did you decide to do a master’s degree?

If you are asked why you cannot gain such expertise in Nigeria, explain why your preferred international schools are better suited to your selected research topic.

Give a quick explanation of your search for more knowledge and how your bachelor’s degree was insufficient to satisfy your burning desire for more knowledge.

Why do you want to go into your chosen field of study?

This is one of the many questions in the interview whose answers are unique to each person; there is no one right answer, thus answering it correctly necessitates much self-reflection before the interview.

What do you expect to achieve through your present research objectives and career goals?

Everyone will have a different answer to this question, but whatever you say should be relevant to the goal of the PTDF scholarship program, which is to build indigenous human capacity and petroleum technology to meet the needs of Nigeria’s oil and gas business.

What do you hope to do immediately after you complete your master’s degree?

Please do not make the mistake of telling the PTDF scholarship panel that you will not return to Nigeria after finishing your postgraduate studies. That is a sufficient reason to reject you.

Remember that the PTDF scholarship initiative aims to support indigenous human capacity and petroleum technology to meet the needs of Nigeria’s oil and gas industries. So, as far as the interview is concerned, the PTDF scholarship panel should have no question that you plan to return to Nigeria to impact the oil and gas sector.

Your response to this question will be determined by your area of study and research interests. You may want to pursue a Ph.D. and finally work in research and education; tell them about this.

It’s possible that you want to return to Nigeria and start a job in the oil and gas business; you should tell them about it. Tell them about your goals once you finish your postgraduate studies, but make sure they are consistent with the mandate of the PTDF scholarship plan.

How has your past academic and professional experience prepared you for a master’s degree?

This is where you can try to explain how your history influenced your decision to pursue a master’s degree; job loss or the chance to travel are not acceptable reasons and are not what the PTDF scholarship panel is looking for.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this topic because every situation is unique. For example, you may have done well while studying for your undergraduate degree and want to continue it in graduate school.

Alternatively, you may have some research ideas that you want to explore in graduate school because of your present position in the oil and gas business.

What outstanding achievements have you achieved?

Use this chance to pitch yourself to the PTDF scholarship interview panel. Be honest, but don’t lie. If you are caught, your scholarship dreams are over; there is no turning back.

Because every circumstance is unique, you must mention the academic and professional achievements that you believe to be outstanding, as well as the reasons for them.

What good impacts or contributions have you made in your professional and academic careers?

This question is identical to the last one and should go without saying: describe the accomplishments and impacts you have made so far in your academic or professional job. Here are only a few examples. Have you carried out any groundbreaking studies in your field?

If so, please let me know. Have you served as president, executive director, or founder of a professional group in your field? If so, state it.

What Does the PTDF Interview Panel Mark Applicants Questions?

How you comport yourself

The PTDF scholarship panel scores based on behavior; therefore, please project confidence when speaking and answering questions during the interview. If you think the interview is not going well, don’t worry; talk clearly and present yourself properly.

Try not to say too much because it may lead to further questions that you are unable to answer.

Finally, try to be as polite as possible to the interviewers.

Application to the oil and gas industry

It is not enough to tell them that your planned study will change robotics and artificial intelligence as we know it. You must also explain how your suggested research would help the nation and the oil and gas industry.

The PTDF scholarship panel is interested in how your research proposal or statement of purpose ties to the oil and gas sector. In addition, explain how the research you are conducting will help the sector and have an effect on national development.

Subject-matter expertise

The PTDF scholarship interview group is not ignorant; many of them are academics and industry experts with enough experience and background knowledge to recognize when someone is misleading them.

Some of them may ask you technical questions regarding your specific subject; these questions are usually based on principles you learned as an undergraduate or your final year project as an undergraduate.

Others in the group may ask you questions based on your statement of purpose. Yes, do not go to the interview selling wolf tickets and claiming to be able to achieve things you are not capable of.

Qualification

First Degree: 10 points for First Class, 8 for Second Class Upper, and 5 for Second Class Lower.

This part should go without saying: the PTDF scholarship panel usually assigns points based on the class of degree you got; first-class graduates receive the highest possible score of 10, while second-class upper and second-class lower graduates receive 8 and 5 points, respectively.

Publication

A simple way to earn some points is to show that you have published in a major journal or conference; the PTDF scholarship panel often likes articles in which you are the main author.

Conclusion

We tried to explain some general questions as well as specific interview questions that the PTDF interview panel has been known to ask over the years. Study them, develop your response, and, above all, comport yourself.

References

Official website – ptdf interview questions and answer
Test streams – ptdf interview questions and answer
Opportunity Galore– ptdf interview questions and answer