"neglected'' field of the sciences.

Bermuda College's new science labs will be furnished with the most modern equipment available thanks to a $1 million gift by a locally based company.

An official of the leading health care company Corange Limited announced at a news conference that it had been "enticed'' to make the donation to the college after a visit to the campus earlier this year on the suggestion of Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan and college officials.

The College's science labs were recently moved from the Robert's Avenue campus to a new building at Stonington.

The Corange Science Centre will be set up in commemoration of the company's 25th anniversary in Bermuda and its commitment to life science research.

It is hoped the gift will advance science education at the college into the 21st Century, Corange chairman emeritus Mr. Curt Engelhorn said.

"As a company committed to life science research, it is our hope that the Corange Science Centre will not only advance the frontiers of scientific study in Bermuda but will motivate Bermudian students to pursue careers in the exciting field of science,'' Mr. Engelhorn said.

Science was also an integral part of a general education, he said.

He pointed to Bermudian Dr. Malcolm Brock who got his start at Bermuda College. The medical researcher was now a surgical resident at John Hopkins Hospital.

Chairman of the Bermuda College Board of Governors Dr. James A.C. King said a high standard of achievement in the sciences was vital to Bermuda's future.

The Island will one day have to take greater responsibility for its own research and development especially when it comes to the environment.

College president Dr. George Cook said the sciences were a "a neglected area in need of attention.'' "World class'' facilities for students pursuing two-year Associate in Science degrees from the college would not only help those planning careers in medicine and dentistry, but also international business and environmental studies.

Dr. King noted there were numerous job opportunities here in the sciences including with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Parks, the Bermuda Biological Station and the field of environmental engineering.

Apart from equipping the new biology, chemistry, physics and geology/general science labs, the money will go towards the creation of a science teaching post and the academic and professional development of faculty teaching in the centre. And it will support Corange Merit Scholarships in the sciences and mathematics.

Sir John, on hand for the ceremony, congratulated the college for enticing Corange into making the donation.

Corange is the $3.2 billion parent company of Boehringer Mannheim and DePuy, a privately held company that markets health care products and services in over 150 countries.

FUTURE INVESTMENT -- A flag signifying the creation of the Corange Science Centre is raised at the Bermuda College following the company's $1 million donation.