A GRAPHIC arts student has been named the first ever recipient of the Dame Jennifer M. Smith Scholarship Programme.Omejae Goater, a former Bermuda College student, starts his two-year graphic design course at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh this month and said he was honoured to be the first recipient of the scholarship.

"I aspire to work in the field of graphic design in Bermuda once I have completed my studies," he said in a statement.

The award was created by the Art Institute of Pittsburgh in conjunction with the Bermuda national Training Board (NTB) to honour the career achievements of one of the Art Institute of Pittsburgh's alumnae — Deputy Speaker of the House and former Premier of Bermuda, Dame Jennifer Smith.

Dame Jeniffer said she was pleased to the first scholarship winner had been selected.

"I'm hopeful that Mr Goater will find his passion challenged at the school and that he will thrive and excel and be the torch bearer for a number of other Bermudians who can take advantage of the opportunities afforded by the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and the National Training Board," she said.

The scholarship will be offered to the recipient at the rate of $10,000 per calendar year for up to, but not exceeding four calendar years, if enrolled in the bachelor's degree programme and two years if enrolled in the associate's degree programme.

The scholarship is subsidised by the NTB at the rate of $5,000 per year for expenses including housing and supplies. A minimum GPA of 2.5 must be maintained in order to retain the award.