Enrolment at Bermuda College has increased ¿ with its numbers expected to go up significantly under Government plans to make education free at the Paget institution.

The increase was outlined by the College President Dr. Duranda Greene when she spoke at the weekly Hamilton Rotary lunch yesterday.

She described the College as 'one of the best kept secrets in Bermuda' but said marketing steps were being taken to alter that perception.

The overall Fall 2007 enrolment increase was one percent over 2006, however enrolment of men increased by 14 percent.

"We at Bermuda College know and believe that if we are to thrive as a country, we cannot afford to leave any group of our citizens behind and all segments of our community must embrace education and its value to their success," she said.

"We are also expecting our enrolment trend to continue to increase in Fall 2008 as a result of our marketing efforts that will no doubt be buoyed by Government's promise of free tuition to the College, the details of which are currently being worked on,'' Dr. Greene told the Rotary.

She said a public perception survey was conducted toward the end of 2006 by the Total Marketing Group which revealed that residents think of an overseas institution before Bermuda College.

It also revealed that residents are unfamiliar with the courses and programmes offered at the College although the community holds a favourable opinion of the College and are likely to recommend the College.

Dr. Greene labelled the College as 'one of the best kept secrets in Bermuda' but said there were plans to address the issue.

She said: "You will have noticed in our most recent print advertising campaign that we are promoting our alumni and our programmes. We have also started to target specific audiences with presentations to try to get our message to our stakeholders.

"We have publicised our recent partnerships with overseas institutions such as Johnson and Wales, Tuskegee University and we will be signing an agreement with Brock University in Canada early next month which will also be publicised.

"We have also put an increased emphasis on recruitment by moving our Admissions Director position which was under Student Enrolment and Records to that of Recruitment Officer, and made it part of the Communications Department.

"Over the course of 2008 you will see more marketing initiatives in the form of advertisements, direct mailings, focus groups and information sessions."

Dr. Greene also outlined some of the key achievements at the College saying it is continuing the process of becoming accredited by the New England Association of School and Colleges (NEASC), which also accredits institutions such as Harvard and MIT. Accreditation date is set for 2010.

In September, Bermuda College introduced online education by offering five courses online using a blended format, which allows students to do part of their coursework in a classroom and the other part online.

"Online courses allow significantly more flexibility and freedom to students who really could not afford the two or three times a week commute," said Dr. Greene.

She added: "By introducing online education, our students have been afforded the same opportunity as students in the United States who took at least one online course during the Fall 2006 semester."

Dr. Greene said the blended format had led to an 85 percent retention rate of students.

Bermuda College is now in the process of offering college-level and college preparatory mathematics courses to students from the two public high schools as part of a dual enrolment programme.

"This initiative allows students to earn up to one year's worth of college credit while still in high school and also helps students to be better prepared for college-level courses after high school."

Dr. Greene was asked: "How is Bermuda College able to maintain a very high standard when the College admits to accepting students who are high school drop outs and some of which can not even read?"

She answered: "As a community college, we accept everyone. However, not every one is enrolled in the Associates Degree programme.

"We have computerised placement tests on reading, writing, and arithmetic. Upon taking the test you are then placed in the level that you are at, which may be remedial. We will meet you where you are at."

Imagine BC 2018 will be launched next month with focus groups invited to the campus to share their vision for Bermuda College in 2018.

This idea is a result of the positive feedback from a similar initiative which was carried out in 2005 to establish a three-year plan for the College.

During this year, Bermuda College will also be working with the Bermuda Hospitals Board to address the current nursing shortage and partnering with the Ministry of Education on teacher certification.

"Bermuda College is moving to take its rightful place as the centre for intellectual, social and cultural activities on this island while fulfilling its mission of setting Bermuda's students on the paths to success."