Managing Director, TotalEnergies Upstream Nigeria Limited, Mr. Matthieu Bouyer, disclosed this at the ETT Symposium and Awards ceremony held in Lagos, on Tuesday.
The ETT fellowship programme was introduced in 2013, to boost the quality of teaching and learning of science and engineering in Nigerian universities through exposing the participants to the innovative and cutting-edge teaching methods used at the MIT to enable them mould students into industry-ready products.
According to Bouyer, the ETT programme, entails that academics selected from African universities spend one intensive and inclusive semester acquiring knowledge on the innovative and cutting-edge teaching methods used at the MIT to mould students into industry-ready products.
He noted that the initiative was aimed to foster new ways of teaching science and engineering in African tertiary institutions in a bid to produce experts in that field that could compete with their counterparts in other regions of the world in terms of critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
“The experience of the academics at MIT is expected to culminate in the development of new courses and the modification of existing ones in a bid to revolutionise science and engineering teaching in African tertiary institutions.
“In Nigeria, for example, we are glad to see the impact the MIT-ETT scheme is already making in tertiary education.
“Since 2013, over 90 university lecturers have benefited from the programme in the country. We are excited for the promise the near future holds for science and engineering education in Nigeria, especially because as we expect more lecturers to benefit from this knowledge-exchange programme”, Bouyer said.
According to Bouyer, TotalEnergies’ contributions to education development in Nigeria and Africa went beyond the MIT-ETT scheme, stating that the company’s footprints were visible across all sectors.
He said TotalEnergies was proud to be linked to all the educational interventions it was involved in because they all align with the Goal 4 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which calls for ‘Inclusive and Equitable Quality Education and Promotion of Lifelong Learning Opportunities for All.’
He stated that these investments were important to the company as they were in sync with its internal sustainability Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), one of which, he said, was creating value for the society.
He added: “Having contributed immensely to the development of this great country over the last 60 years and a worldwide pioneer in producing energies for 100 years, we are proud of our remarkable journey and the huge potential that this new chapter presents.
“As a responsible organisation, TotalEnergies has continued to ensure that the impacts of all its operations are managed in a way that helps preserve the environment, biodiversity, and freshwater resources in a bid to promote an inclusive economy.
“Also, our commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 along with society and transitioning to low carbon energy solutions for a cleaner and safer environment remains as assured as ever.
“As I welcome you to this event once again, I am happy to reassure you all that, as a responsible energy company that understands and appreciates the value of education and its role in the development and growth of any human society, TotalEnergies will continue to support initiatives such as the MIT-ETT programme for the benefit of humanity.”
Mr Bala Wunti, Chief Upstream Investment Officer, NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), in his remarks, said the symposium and awards ceremony marked a pivotal moment in recognising the exceptional contributions of educators who are shaping the future.
Wunti, who was represented at the occasion by the Deputy Manager, External Affairs, NNPCL, Mrs. Olubunmi Lawson, restated the NNPCL and TotalEnergies commitment to ensuring consistent implementation of sustainable community development projects in Nigeria.
He said NNPCL was humbled to be part of the transformative initiative -ETT Fellowship programme, adding when a programme like ‘ETT’ aligned forces with an institution of the calibre of MIT, the society would witness the fusion of innovation, excellence, and global collaboration.
“Together, we had embarked on this journey to uplift and empower educators who play integral role in sculpting the minds of the next generation since 2010.
“Empowering The Teachers programme is not just an initiative, it is a commitment to nurturing the growth and development of our society through the empowerment of of those who mold the next generation. NNPC/TotalEnergies recognise the profound impact that dedicated educators can have on the lives of their students and communities they serve”, he said.
He congratulated the educators being celebrated at the occasion on their well-deserved recognition, saying their commitment to excellence and tireless efforts in pursuit of knowledge inspire everyone in the society.
“Your role extends beyond the dissemination of information; you are the catalysts for change, the architects of progress, and the mentors who guide future leaders”, he stated.
Full text below:
TotalEnergies’ contributions to education development in Nigeria and indeed Africa go beyond MIT-ETT scheme
By Matthieu Bouyer
It is with great pleasure that I welcome you all to this special occasion of the celebratory symposium of the Empowering The Teachers (ETT) fellowship programme held in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. This programme is another educational initiative that TotalEnergies, in collaboration with NNPC Limited and partners, has continued to invest in to further improve the quality of learning in Nigeria.
Under the ETT programme, academics selected from African universities spend one intensive and inclusive semester acquiring knowledge on the innovative and cutting-edge teaching methods used at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to mould students into industry-ready products. The aim of this is to foster new ways of teaching science and engineering in African tertiary institutions in a bid to produce experts in that field who can compete with their counterparts in other regions of the world in terms of critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. The experience of the academics at MIT is expected to culminate in the development of new courses and the modification of existing ones in a bid to revolutionise science and engineering teaching in African tertiary institutions.
In Nigeria, for example, we are glad to see the impact the MIT-ETT scheme is already making in tertiary education. Since 2013, over 90 university lecturers have benefited from the programme in the country. We are excited for the promise the near future holds for science and engineering education in Nigeria, especially because as we expect more lecturers to benefit from this knowledge exchange programme. Interestingly, TotalEnergies’ contributions to education development in Nigeria and indeed Africa go beyond the MIT-ETT scheme; all across the sector, the company’s footprints are visible.
For instance, in December 2023, we celebrated the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Institute of Petroleum and Energy Studies, which is the fruit of a partnership between the Institut Francais du Petrole (IFP School) and the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Since its inception in 2003, IPES has produced hundreds of MSc. graduates in Petroleum Engineering and Project Development, and post-graduate diploma holders in Petroleum Technology. Graduates of the IPES programme are today spread throughout the oil and gas industry, adding value in different ways to the sector. Our engagement with the institute is, however, not limited to funding alone. TotalEnergies also provides practical learning opportunities to MSc and PGD graduates through post-graduation internships and mentoring. Our employees, subject experts in their various fields, volunteer to join the faculty of the IPES, providing relevant industry perspectives.
That is not all. Not too long ago, TotalEnergies donated truckloads of geoscience equipment to six universities across the country, including the University of Lagos, the Federal University of Technology, Akure, the University of Ilorin, the University of Ibadan, the University of Port Harcourt, and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
The company has also invested in various scholarship schemes, including the National Merit Scholarship Scheme, from which over 30,000 students have benefited since 2003. The TotalEnergies International Scholarship, jointly sponsored by NNPC Ltd. and partners, has equally seen several Nigerians undergo post-graduate studies overseas, with over 150 graduates since inception. There is also our Community Scholarship Scheme, which has existed since 1973 and has benefitted hundreds of students in host communities across Nigeria at the undergraduate and post graduate level.
Indeed, TotalEnergies is proud to be linked to all these educational interventions because they all align with Goal # 4 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which calls for “inclusive and equitable quality education and promotion of lifelong learning opportunities for all”. These investments are important to us as they are in sync with our internal sustainability KPIs, one of which is creating value for society.
This event is coming at a historic time in TotalEnergies’ operations in Nigeria. Having contributed immensely to the development of this great country over the last 60 years and a worldwide pioneer in producing energies for 100 years, we are proud of our remarkable journey and the huge potential that this new chapter presents.
As a responsible organisation, TotalEnergies has continued to ensure that the impacts of all its operations are managed in a way that helps preserve the environment, biodiversity, and freshwater resources in a bid to promote an inclusive economy. Also, our commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 along with society and transitioning to low carbon energy solutions for a cleaner and safer environment remains as assured as ever.
As I welcome you to this event once again, I am happy to reassure you all that, as a responsible energy company that understands and appreciates the value of education and its role in the development and growth of any human society, TotalEnergies will continue to support initiatives such as the MIT-ETT programme for the benefit of humanity. Thank you for your attention.