For the third year in a row, six students from Nigerian universities joined 98 other students from 80 universities in this year’s Total Summer School to discuss global energy issues in Paris. The students are Ufuoma Diakparomre (University of Benin), Ayodeji Majekodunmi (Covernant University), Cyril Uzoh (Nnamdi Azikiwe University), Jonathan Francis (University of Uyo), Ehimare Ehon (University of Benin) and Lorraine Ataga (University of Port Harcourt). Two of the students Ayodeji Majekodunmi and Cyril Uzoh are interns in the current IT programme organised by the company.

Before their departure on Saturday, 28^th June 2008, the students visited the Deputy Managing Director (Corporate), Mr. Alek Musa, who advised them to be good ambassadors of the country and the company. Mr. Musa told them that the trip is a very good opportunity not only to broaden their knowledge but also exposure to the operations of the Total Group. “You must therefore not do anything that will disgrace the country or the company so as not to jeopardise the chances of others”. He used the opportunity to tell them to be inquisitive and ask questions.

Since its inception in 2006, Elf Petroleum Nigeria Limited (EPNL) has sponsored 18 students from different Nigerian universities to the summer school. According to the co-ordinator of the programme in Nigeria , Mr. Akpos Adonkie, the aim is to expose high potential students from our Target Universities to the operations of Total, strengthen ties and relationship with key universities that have provided quality candidates for Total and its subsidiary, provide a unique and memorable opportunity for interaction between international students and our managers and sensitize young students to the opportunities available in Total.

The 104 students selected to participate in the third Summer School are from 28 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas and range from 20 to 29 years of age. Total Summer School provides a forum for addressing the complex challenges facing the Group. Each year, the Summer School gives Total a unique opportunity to discuss issues with students from a scientific, economic and sociological perspective.