Bermuda College yesterday announced a new distance learning agreement with the J Mack Robinson School of Business at Georgia State University (GSU).It will allow students who have earned at least 60 credit hours at Bermuda College, or another reputable post-secondary institution and who are accepted into Georgia State’s Robinson College of Business, to pursue a Bachelor of Business Administration degree, specialising in Finance or Risk Management and Insurance, without having to leave the Island.In addition to Bermuda College Board of Governor chair Jill Husbands, Bermuda College president Dr Duranda Greene and Barry Wood, director of external relations at the Robinson College of Business, at the press conference yesterday were Alex Butterfield and Aaron Bassett, who both studied finance at the university. Mr Butterfield, who is also an alumnus of the Bermuda College is now employed at Butterfield Bank, while Mr Bassett is with Platinum Reinsurance.Mr Bassett explained the programme offered at the Robinson College of Business meant he was well prepared to enter the reinsurance world in Bermuda, and described it as well rounded, offering public speaking and other opportunities to students to refine their skills as well as offering the core courses. He added the distance learning programme is : “...a great way to make it more affordable.”A spokesperson said: “Students will participate in classes held in the early evening live via simulcast and will be as much of a presence in the classroom as their fellow students in Atlanta.“It is intended that students will be able to complete their baccalaureate in this format in as little as three years.”Dr Greene said: “Bermuda College remains committed to its students to not just seek out articulation agreements with accredited institutions, but to continue to pursue partnerships that offer our students additional benefits and opportunities, such as the instate tuition fees that Georgia State provides. This is yet another strategic partnership where Bermudians can obtain their baccalaureate degree on Island.“We first signed with Georgia State in 2011, allowing students with at least 60 credit hours and a 3.0 grade point average to transfer to Georgia State’s J Mack Robinson College of Business — Atlanta campus — and pay tuition at instate Georgia rates.“We are delighted to now offer this distance education option, specialising in either Finance, or Risk Management and Insurance. I encourage students to take advantage of this ‘win-win’ partnership, and look forward to a continued long and wonderful relationship with GSU. ”Barry Wood, Director of External Relations for the Department of Risk Management and Insurance at GSU’s Robinson College of Business said the university has been active in recruiting Bermudian students for more than ten years. He said the institution has a “...strategic interest in Bermuda, and with Bermuda College. Bermuda is among the largest insurance centres in the world and Georgia State’s Department of Risk Management and Insurance is highly ranked in the United States. Our goal is simply to bring motivated and bright business students to Georgia State that will graduate and return to positions of influence in Bermuda.”Up to twenty-five students per year can participate in the programme. Students will be fully enrolled at Georgia State University and will be able to major in either Finance or Risk Management and Insurance. In addition to paying reduced tuition, students may also be eligible for additional scholarships offered to Bermudians.