scholarship programme aimed at encouraging school leavers to enter the field of information technology.

Senior vice president of information systems and operations at the bank, Mr.

Peter LeNoury said the information technology scholarship programme will allow for four four-year scholarships worth $24,000 to be awarded to students.

He said the need for information technology expertise on the Island was "growing rapidly''.

Mr. LeNoury said the bank has entered into a cooperative education programme with the Bermuda College where the successful applicants could attend the college for two years and obtain an associate's degree with a concentration in computer science.

"The credits from the Bermuda College are transferable to an accredited overseas university's co-operative programme where the student will receive a bachelor's degree in information technology.

"During the period of the scholarship the bank will provide work experience during vacation breaks and will pay the student at agreed salary levels,'' Mr.

LeNoury said.

He added that the bank "enthusiastically supports this educational initiative because it will enable Bermudians to study information technology, which will meet the needs of the community''.

The move was part of an ongoing effort between the Bermuda College and the bank to improve the level of skills required for today's competitive market.

The two entities will also be sponsoring a Boston University Masters of Computer Information Systems degree programme at the Bermuda College in 1995/96.

Qualification requirements for an information technology scholarship -- which encompasses computer programming, computer engineering, and telecommunications -- include being in good academic standing, being admitted to the Bermuda College associate degree programme and readiness to work for a period of time at the Bank of Bermuda.

Additional information or an application form, on the Information Technology Scholarship Programme, can be obtained by contacting the secretary of the information technology award at the bank. Applications should be returned to the bank no later than July 31, 1995.