INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS GROUP AWARDS 21 SCHOLARSHIPS TO BERMUDA STUDENTS

Hamilton, Bermuda, July 25th, 2007. Scholarship season is here, when students seeking financial assistance for university expenses are competing for funds.

The Association of Bermuda International Companies (ABIC), which operates Bermuda’s largest scholarship programme, has awarded 21 two-year scholarships, each valued at $30,000.

The ABIC Educational Awards has been in existence for 27 years, and supports studies connected primarily to international business. It is funded by Bermuda international companies, and now provides a two-year scholarship, for $15,000 per year, to Bermudian students who are pursing higher education at accredited, four-year degree-granting colleges and universities. The total amount pledged in this year’s programme is $630,000.

The award supports studies connected primarily to international business. In 2006, 21 students were supported by ABIC.

“If you can prove academic ability and financial need, have a career focus that supports international business and have demonstrated leadership qualities and a commitment to the Bermuda community, you are the sort of person who should consider applying for financial aid through ABIC,” says ABIC Education Committee Chairman Roy Fellowes.

To help promote the scholarships this year volunteers from ABIC’s Education committee met with senior students and many parents at each of the Islands schools. There were 80 applications for support and 50 students were interviewed.

“We want to make sure the best and brightest of Bermuda’s students are equipped to work to international standards and the recipients of the ABIC 2007 education awards and their parents should be very proud of this achievement, we wish them great success in their overseas studies”, said David Ezekiel, Chairman of ABIC.

The Minister of Labor and Home Affairs, the Honorable Derrick Burgess, J.P., M.P. will be the guest speaker for this year’s awards lunch, scheduled for Wednesday, 25th July at the Harbourfront Restaurant. About 130 people are expected to be in attendance.

In September ABIC will visit schools to begin promoting the awards for 2008. Application forms and guidance are available on ABIC’s website, www.abic.bm or by emailing info@abic.bm

ABIC, the voice of international business, represents more than 140 international companies in Bermuda.