community to help it host what it has called a "groundbreaking'' international conference on new trends in post-secondary education.

The three day conference on New Approaches in Higher Education: The University College is scheduled to begin on October 18, 2000.

The total budget for the conference is $275,000 and Bermuda College president George Cook yesterday said efforts to obtain the other $175,000 from overseas agencies and organisations were underway.

"We are seeking to raise local sponsorships of $100,000 in support of the local conference operations,'' he said.

"However we are also seeking funding from various Caribbean, British, Commonwealth and international agencies principally to assist in bringing participants, many from small developing states of the Commonwealth, to the conference.'' Dr. Cook has indicated his plans to move the institution to a degree-granting university college by the year 2002.

Last month he further revealed that an agreement had been reached with Mount Saint Vincent University in Canada to offer a four-year Bachelor of Business Administration Degree.

In a speech to Hamilton Rotary yesterday, he noted the importance of the October conference in furthering the College's efforts to partner with other Universities.

"However, before a commitment can be made in that direction, a lot of work needs to be done,'' he said.

"The Bermuda College will engage in a major information gathering exercise,'' he continued. "Part of this will be the hosting of an international conference in October.

"We are currently visiting various local and international businesses in search of their support as partners in this venture.'' CONFERENCE CON