Bermuda College president George Cook yesterday sent a message to business leaders: Come into partnership with us.

He believed businesses could create programmes at the college to help job-seeking students -- and employers.

"The community as a whole will surely be advanced,'' Dr. Cook told Hamilton Rotary Club at their weekly luncheon.

He hailed the college's partnership with pharmaceutical giant Corange Ltd. as an example.

Not only had the company donated $1 million, but also developed innovative programmes -- including Corange Merit Scholarships in science and maths, he said.

Under this, secondary school students could earn "scholarship credits'' towards the payment of fees when they entered the college's Associate of Science programme.

"This, we believe, will encourage higher levels of achievement and encourage students, parents and the schools to work together in pursuit of the scholarship credits.

"This model may commend itself to others, and I should be pleased to discuss it further with anyone interested in a similar partnership with Bermuda College.'' Dr. Cook said activities would be held on October 29, 30 and 31 to toast the completion of the master plan for the college's Stonington campus.

"I should like to take this opportunity to invite members of this club and the public at large to come and visit us during that period and see for yourselves what Bermuda College offers.

"With our facilities, our programmes, our faculty, combining with the business community in active partnerships, the interests of students, employers, the college and the community as a whole will surely be advanced.'' Dr. Cook highlighted two new buildings at the college, including the Technical Education Centre.

The TEC, spread over 22,000 square feet, housed seven workshops and laboratories. It was fitted with state-of-the-art equipment, such as a vehicle spray booth.

"We must banish the concept that technical careers are for dummies: skilled people must use their hands and their heads.

"Students must possess a good general education: they must be able to read manuals and use the equipment and computers.'' Employers, said Dr. Cook, were involved in technical education.

Through Employer Advisory Groups, they became directly involved in setting up programmes to support Bermuda's employment standards.

"The key issue, however, is the establishment of enforceable employment standards and the certification of skilled technical people.

"The TEC may have the most up-to-date facilities and equipment. The faculty may be excellent. The programmes may be at the cutting edge of modern instructional methods.

"However, they will be of little account if there are no requirements to meet defined employment standards: there will be little incentive either for students to enter and complete the programmes or for employers to ensure that their employees are properly trained.'' Dr. Cook said the other new building -- North Hall -- would be officially opened in October.

At nearly 30,000 square feet it was the largest building on the campus and possessed a number of valuable features.

"The benefits to students are immense. The accessibility of the labs, whether for lab work, writing reports, or using the Internet, will motivate students.'' He added: "In the application of technology to the teaching and learning process, Bermuda College is on the crest of a wave of enormous potential.'' Also on offer at the college, said Dr. Cook, were a lecture theatre, art studios and a fully-equipped gymnasium.

"Thus, Bermuda College can offer an extensive range of recreational and athletic activities to its students, staff and faculty, as well as to the staff of the Stonington Beach Hotel.

"Proper facilities play an important part in facilitating physical fitness, an important part of a well-rounded education.

"The college's policy on access to these facilities is that the needs of the students and the college community come first, followed by the sports instructional programme.

"However, in the spirit of partnership, everything possible will be done to accommodate the interests of the various sporting groups seeking access to the facilities.'' Dr. Cook said building partnerships between the college and business and community groups served the welfare of Bermuda.

And the completion of the campus had made this easier.

Two partnerships highlighted this. One of them -- turning Bermuda College campus into an international arbitration centre -- was announced to Hamilton Rotary Club.

"Bermuda College is pleased to be associated with this new Bermudian venture.

"This contributes to the advancement of Bermuda's international interests, while encouraging the broader use of the college's meeting and accommodation facilities and contributing to the flow of international visitors to Bermuda.'' George Cook