Tullow Oil announces scholarship opportunities in 2013/14

Tullow Oil plc (Tullow) has announced that it will offer up to 114 scholarships across its countries of operation for the 2013/14 academic year.  Kenya will be sending 10 lucky beneficiaries in this year’s programme.

The first batch of 10 Tullow Group Scholarships Scheme (TGSS) beneficiaries from the 2012/2013 academic year is already undertaking masters studies in oil and gas related courses in leading universities in the UK. The group left the country in September last year.

The TGSS forms a key part of Tullow’s overall approach to education and capacity building, and supports postgraduate degree, technical training and vocational studies. The scheme aims to support Kenyan nationals to participate in the oil and gas industry and in other sectors that promote economic diversification in order to address both existing industry skills gaps and national capacity development requirements. This will help build capacity in areas where Tullow’s host countries might experience significant skills gaps, especially, but not exclusively, the oil and gas industries.

Scholarships are available to post graduate students who are committed to making a contribution to their own country’s development. The Scheme gives candidates the opportunity to receive a high standard of education from internationally recognised institutions, which can then be applied in their home country.

The application process is open from today until 13 February. Interested candidates should apply online at www.tullowgroupscholarshipscheme.org.

A wide range of courses will be offered that are designed to contribute to economic growth of the participating country and students will be drawn from both the public and private sector. These courses include Engineering & Technology, Geosciences, Oil & Gas Economics and Supply Chain.

Scholarships will be awarded across the following countries; Congo Brazzaville, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Mauritania, Uganda, Uruguay and Suriname. The number of awards allocated to each country is weighted to the appropriate phase (project life cycle) of Tullow’s business within that country.

In Kenya, ten candidates will be awarded after undergoing the stringent selection criteria. The application process will be competitive and is open to all Kenyans.

“The Tullow Group Scholarship Scheme attracted nearly 7,000 applicants last year, and more than 90 scholars are currently studying at universities in Europe. We have a long-term commitment to our host countries, so we are very happy to be starting the second year of the scheme,” said Martin Mbogo, Tullow Kenya Country Manager.

The Scheme is fully managed by the British Council which has over 40 years experience in global scholarship management. It is expected to run for the next few years and is aligned with Tullow’s aims of supporting long-term socio-economic growth in countries where it operates.